5 Things You Need to Know About Time Management
1. Distinguish Wants From Needs
Time management often comes down to two basic fundamental concepts: what needs to be done versus what you want to get done. Learning how to structure your day between needs and wants can often help clear up time to get things done that you want to do. Make a list of daily activities that are required for you to do, like eating, going to work and taking your kids to school. Then make a list of things you want to do, like meditating, listening to music and knitting.
2. Prioritize Needs By Making a List
Making lists of your daily activities can be very helpful in keeping you on track and ensuring that you do everything that you need to get done. Studies have shown that individuals who create lists are more likely to feel satisfied at the end of the day because they have kept their goals firmly in sight. Consider keeping a master list in your house if you do not want to carry around a list, and mark items off the list to give you a feeling of completion.
3. Some Things Take Longer Than Expected
One of the biggest aspects of time management is knowing how long it will take to finish a certain task. Often individuals are unsure of how to judge the amount of time it will take to finish a project. They then find themselves behind on other things throughout the day because of that misstep. Bear in mind that unavoidable things will happen, so always give yourself a few extra minutes in any given activity in case unavoidable factors keep you in an activity longer than you might suspect.
4. Lose the Unnecessary Activities
Many things throughout our days end up eating time, and we sometimes can't seem to figure out where the day went. Take note of activities that seem to lend themselves to wasting your time. Dragging your feet when getting ready in the morning or browsing for too long at the grocery store might leave other more enjoyable activities shortchanged later in the day. Notice when you are spending too much unnecessary time on an activity. Perhaps you should even set aside some time in your day to simply waste time if this is a tendency for you.
5. Help Yourself by Asking for Help
Whether at work or at home, people with time management skills often realize the importance of delegating tasks. Individuals who believe they have to do everything themselves and don't feel comfortable releasing responsibility to others often feel more stress and have less free time to do things they want to do. Delegate your responsibilities to people you trust at work and home to get a firm grasp on the time spent in your day so you can have more time to relax and do enjoyable activities.
Member Comments
by Downtown47 on June 17, 2008 at 10:41 PM
I love making a master list. It really does give me a sense of completion and has helped me tremendously with not allowing stress in my life. Great Article!
by mobriant on June 28, 2008 at 4:47 PM
This is a very helpfuyl article. As a ,iddle-school counselor, I am just coming into some free time...exactly 27 days...for the summer. Before I left my office for the last time, I cleaned it up so that when I go back in, I get to start the new year with a clear desk and a clear head. i have made a list of to do's for the summer and have already checked several of them off but this is the first time I touhgt about having a master list of major things we want to get done so we don't have to re=remember what is next!
by gnomeygnome on October 13, 2008 at 2:01 PM
So true about the lists.. it's the only way I ever get anything done!
by girljamie on January 7, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I usually think list are an unnecessary waste of time. My Directors assistant is always taking time to make lists, finally yesterday during a meeting I blanked for a while and made a list. It was completely eye opening, I couldn't believe the amount of things on it and the way my mind simply prioritized it and delegated.
I'm seeing the importance of lists now, especially since the short one I jotted yesterday is nearly complete.
by cinbabes on January 27, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Lists are great...routines are great too...a basic routine to your day, helps you stay on track!
by marieorama on January 27, 2009 at 4:09 PM
This is a good start for me. I am a time procrastinator and have been unsuccessful at getting the time management thing down. I need to practice practice PRACTICE number 4! I am also habitually late for almost everything. I don't know what I would do with out flex time at work!
by avinkline on January 28, 2009 at 8:21 PM
I love this topic! Talking about lists, in my opinion, almost anything is not worth doing if it's not worth putting it on the list.
by ejjohnstonunv on January 29, 2009 at 8:15 AM
My problem is that I spend all day making lists and then I have no time to do the things on them.
by SassiDasWusel on January 29, 2009 at 11:02 AM
+ 1 Making lists takes a lot of time and it is frustrating if you realize that you've missed something to add to your list.
by gggreer on January 29, 2009 at 3:50 PM
I have been using list making for a few weeks now, and I definitely get more done when I have one for the day. Otherwise, my mind wanders, I start thinking I have time to play a video game, etc. It's a good way to reinforce a new daily habit you want to start also.
I'm taking the next step now and writing goals down in writing on a monthly calendar - this is a new level of organization for me too. Wish me luck!
by slehudgins on January 31, 2009 at 11:46 AM
The best thing that has helped me... is when I think..."I need to do that"... but I begin to walk past it.... I turn around and say to myself..."I'm gonna do it now- NOW, not Later"! ....
I find I get more done and keep myself positive because I don't see so many things around me that need to be done... sometimes this gets overwhelming when you can't seem to find a good place to start... "Do it ".... *smile*
by Hailey922 on March 6, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Im a sophomore in high school and i find that if i start on a project the night its assigned and get it finished a week early, it feels so much better! Not to mention it frees up the next few days for when other teachers assign more projects! haha