Time management is one of the skills that most people could improve on, though it is actually quite a simple task once a person knows certain techniques that can help them use this precious possession, wisely. In spite of what we often profess, we cannot actually "save" time; time progresses continually, the only difference one can make is in either using it or wasting it.
Wasted time is gone forever and it important that we come to terms with our mortality and realize that our time here is limited. Given this realization, it is likely that one would want to better organize their available time, here are some techniques that will help you do the same.
1. Assess how you spend your time :
The first step in managing time better would be to analyze how you spend your time presently. To do this, divide your day into fifteen-minute segments, and record what you do every fifteen minutes. Review this time diary later and total the time spent on each activity throughout the day.
For instance, you might find that you spent three hours watching television, one hour exercising, one hour studying and two hours shopping. Next, evaluate your usage of time, you might decide you spent too much time watching TV and too little time studying and so on. Based upon this evaluation, decide on an alteration, but make it specific. A good way to make this change is to draw up a contract with yourself that includes a reward on being successful.
2. Set Goals :
The most important thing you can do to manage time well is to set goals for varying time periods: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and long-range. If you don't have a clear sense of where you are headed just yet, it is not possible to plan how to get there. The use of your time should be organized in order to maximize the chances of achieving your goals.
3. Learn to prioritize :
Once you have defined your goals, you need to prioritize them and your activities. Not all of your goals will be equally important. Focus on activities that will lead to the achievement of your highest goals and on the other activities next.
4. Keep a schedule :
Once you've prioritized your activities, you can then schedule them into you day. Scheduling daily activities such as visiting library, shopping for groceries along with some time for relaxation and recreation will make sure each day passes by as a productive one.
5. Maximize your rewards :
Some time management experts say that we get 80% of our rewards for only 20% of our activities and the other 20% of our rewards on 80% of the time we spend. What this tells us is that we need to make sure we identify and engage ourselves in the 20% of the activities that give us the maximum rewards before we move to the other activities.
Time, though fleeting, is something that can be managed easily with the usage of the techniques mentioned above. The best way to handle it is to know early on what we want from life and what direction we'd like to head, in order for us to more effectively map a life plan and fully benefit from time management. Remember, every second is precious, so you need to speed up. It's for your own sake, anyway.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Grieving process for a 12 year old
By: petunyabug | 10-07-2008
What is the "normal" grieving process for a 12 year old? (It was his dad) I'm sure that is why he is sleeping a lot and staying in bed and being smart alecky. (yes, I know part of that is his age in general) I just need to know signs to look out for that there may be trouble brewing. Thank you!!
Dependent Personality Disorder?
By: wendi | 09-07-2008
My ten year old stepdaughter was adopted. Her adoptive mother died when the child was 3 years old. Now she can't do anything on her own. She can't make even minor decisions like what to wear. When she is asked a question or is asked to do something she will just stand there and stare like you are speaking another language. She constantly wants to be near her dad. I understand that it was hard losing a mother at three years old, but how do i get her to become more independent with minor decisions?
Describe someone who is your opposite number
By: qzmaster591 | 09-07-2008
Try to describe someone that's the opposite to you, in every detail.Then ask to yourself: may he/she be your friend?
Is 20 years to long to have problems?
By: Jangle | 09-07-2008
My wife was raped at 13 years old by four of her classmates. Since then she has had 2 marriages. The sex in the first marriage was non-existant. The sex in the current marriage is semi-regular and both parties are "mostly" satisfied. However, she cannot bring herself to touch any part of my sexual anatomy. It is quite clear that she enjoys the actual intercourse part. She also enjoys foreplay performed on her. I am not aware of what happened exactly during the rape, other than that their where four misguided boys. What can I do? I am very happy with my marriage and she says that she is also. We are both around 40 years old. Our current sex life is Ok, but I need a little variety. I kept hoping that the 40 year old female sex drive would snap her out of it, but nothing yet. HELP!
Breaking Into Pieces.
By: jmdillon | 09-07-2008
Hi all. All I can't say is, help. About a year and a half ago my father was diagnosed with stage IV bladder cancer. Since then it has spread to his lungs, liver and abdomen. Nurses say he has several months. My family is in Ohio and I am working in Washington, DC. I am 23 and my dad is only 55, unfair if you ask me. My dad and I have always been close. He is ordained in the Methodist Church and has worked in the church for years so our family has always been involved together in the church. The last report we got from the doctor is that the masses in his lungs have doubled and tripled in size in the past 2 months since he chose to stop treatment (it was doing more harm than good). So, at 23, i'm dealing with something way beyond what I am prepared for. But, on top of this, my boyfriend of 2.5 years, with whom I live, has decided to go to Cornell (500 miles away) for a graduate program. Sean, my boyfriend, has been my stronghold, my shoulder, my rock since my father was diagnosed. As poorly as I may be handling my father's condition, it has definitley been better than had Sean not been with me to support me. My support system of friends and family are all in Ohio, so Sean is all I have here. My question is, how do I do this? I personally don't think I am emotionally capable of maintaining a healthy long-distance relationship with half of my heart being in Ohio with my family. I need someone to BE there for me. What do I do? How do I end a relationship I never thought would end, and live to see the next day? How does pain like this not kill a person?
Can you answer
By: voterperson | 08-07-2008
see reply box for the entire thing
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