Use of the term “Time Management” is erroneous. Time is not something you can manipulate, but you can influence the timing of events in your life. There are 86,400 seconds in a day, despite your frequent wishes for more than the 24 hours they supply. The skills you develop via introspection, planning, critical thinking, and self-discipline will decide how you use that time. The scarcity of time, like the scarcity of money, gives it worth. It’s important to keep it secure, utilise it wisely, and set aside money for it.
One’s personality, ability to motivate oneself, and level of self-discipline all play a part in deciding which technique of time management would be most effective. Applying any or all of the following 10 strategies can help you better manage your time.
Think carefully about how you spend your time.
Keeping a time diary is a useful method for learning more about one’s habits and routines. For the next week or two, jot down what you do every fifteen minutes. Identifying the tasks that use the most of your time and then assessing whether or not you are using that time on the most important matters might help you formulate a strategy. Knowing how much time is needed for regular tasks might assist with planning and determining how much time there is for other activities. To be more grounded in reality, consider this. Choosing the right time management strategies is essential here.
Make a list of your top priorities.
Distinguishing between what is really important and what can wait till later is a prerequisite for effective time management. Unfortunately, the most important tasks aren’t necessarily the ones that get done first. However, we tend to prioritise what seems most urgent at the time. Creating a list of things you need to do is a straightforward and efficient method of getting things done. Whether you need a daily, weekly, or monthly list depends on your individual habits. A simple act of writing a list may quickly go out of control if care is not taken.
List achievable tasks instead of goals or complex plans
Arrange the items on your “to do” list from most pressing to least (both important and urgent). You may also use a numbered system to indicate the order of importance or a color-coding system to distinguish between low, medium, and high priority items. The goal here is not to complete as many items as possible, but rather to complete the most crucial ones. Having a prioritised “to do” list can help you set boundaries, making it easier to say “no” to activities that may be exciting or rewarding in the short term but aren’t in line with your long-term objectives.
Use a Planning Device
Experts in the area of time management suggest using a personal planning tool to boost productivity. Personal planning tools include, but are not limited to, calendars, planners, wall charts, phone apps, pocket diaries, index cards, and notebooks. If you write down your to-dos, appointments, and other things to remember, you’ll have more mental space to focus on what really matters. Dictating one’s thoughts instead of writing them down might be a helpful strategy for auditory learners. Find one planning method that works for you and commit to it wholeheartedly.
