We all have 24 hours everyday but how come some people get more things done in this span of time than others? Why is it that there are people who can finish all their tasks in one day while others take 2 or more days to complete them? The difference: time management.
Time is a crucial element in all that we do, but interestingly enough, not everyone knows how to manage their time wisely. Time management comprises of skills, principles, tools, and practices that will allow us to utilize our time productively. People who do not have this quality are more likely to waste much of their time doing things that do not have anything to do with their assigned tasks and responsibilities.
In order to assess how well you are at time management, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you forget some of the things that need to get done for the day, week, or month?
- Do you sometimes submit projects and reports late?
- Do you often spend a lot of time replying to emails?
- Do you get sidetracked when accessing the Internet, doing unnecessary things instead of doing what you are supposed to do?
- Do you think your desk is full of clutter?
- Do you lack focus when you work?
Answering “Yes” to all or any of these questions indicates that you need to hone your time management skills more. Here are some ways to do this:
First of all, never forget to write down all your tasks for the day. Be realistic and do not write too many items otherwise it will only frustrate you later on when you find out you cannot complete all of them. It is recommended that you spend time writing down your plans and tasks for the week too, because making weekly schedules can help you effectively map out your plans. When making your list, indicate which ones are top priority and which ones you can put off until the next day, if necessary.
When setting priorities, make sure to indicate which of the things listed on your to-do list you need to prioritize on. In Stephen Covey’s Time Matrix, he highlighted the need categorize tasks according to what is urgent and important, urgent and unimportant, not urgent but important, and not urgent and not important. He said it is important to address those listed under urgent and important first, focus on the not urgent but important tasks, minimize urgent but unimportant ones, and then as much as possible, eliminate those that are neither urgent or important.
Furthermore, you need to get rid of bad habits that are considered time killers. Procrastination tops the list; such habit can really hinder you from managing your time effectively.
To make the most out of your 24 hours, you need to use your time efficiently. It is how you spend every minute of your time that will determine how productive you can be.
