Purpose
The concept of time management has been around for many years, and it remains as important today as it ever was. Good management of your time can reduce stress, restore a sensible work-life balance, and help you achieve your goals.
How To Use the Idea of Time Management
Most of us follow our own time management principles throughout the day whether we realise it or not. But most of us don’t subject the way we manage our time to close scrutiny.
This is the point at which effective time management starts: the acceptance that you can save time and achieve more. In other words, to manage time well, you must be ready to criticise yourself.
You don’t need to look far to gain the motivation you need for such a critical approach. Do you feel you’re not in full control of your life at work and home? Do you believe you’re not living to your full potential? If so, time management tools and techniques can help.
Once you adopt the right approach, you need a long-term strategy. This should outline a step-by-step time management process.
Such a process varies according to your needs. These time management needs are likely to break down into three areas:
- Organisation
- Priorities
- The value of your time
Many people find the best way to clearly establish their needs is to read time management literature or use the services of a coach. Even a one-day time management course can be useful. It won’t give you instant solutions, but it can point you in the right direction.
Limitations
The time management process requires commitment and determination. Some people must change their approach to work and to the way they run their lives.
But the results are worth the effort. This is why successful managers and leaders repeatedly stress the value of managing time effectively.
Related Subjects
There are several ideas related to time management. Among the most common are:
- Triage. When faced with a mass of paperwork, emails and jobs, you need to think in terms of triage. What must you read or answer first? What can you leave until later? What can you ignore?
- Urgent/important. To set priorities, you must ask yourself what is both urgent and important. You have to use your experience and judgement. Many colleagues who approach you may claim that something is important or urgent when in fact you can put the matter to one side.
- Interruptions/distractions. Life at work is full of interruptions and distractions. You must remain time-conscious and say no to those people who come to you with trivia or to pass the time of day.
- Delegation. Delegation is vital. You need to have people around you whom you can trust to do a job well. If this trust is missing, don’t do the work yourself; train or employ people who can handle tasks for you.
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