Many of us complain about having less time as there is so much to do and we all have limited hours in our day. And yet only few manage to balance everything with limited time. It is an art of managing limited time to allow for a variety of activities, handling multiple work pressures. In today’s world efficient time management is one secret behind success. When people complain that they have no time, it simply means that they are unable to manage their time properly. It is so rightly said even when I don’t know the writer that ‘if we take care of the minutes, the hours will take care of themselves.’
Efficient time management is all about using the time we have in the best possible way to strike a harmonious balance between physical, social, emotional, intellectual and recreational activities. One can achieve efficient time management only through three ways
1. Understanding the value of time.
2. Budgeting time judiciously.
3. Focusing on the task at hand.
Once time is lost, it’s gone forever. It is therefore essential to value it as a limited and fleeting resource. Wasted time is one thing that can’t be recycled. So with limited time, it is important to budget it well.
Even more than money, we need to budget our time judiciously. And planning is an important tool to do that. Fix minimum and maximum time slots for different activities and managing within the 24-hour day. Never close a week without planning a schedule for the next one. Prepare a daily time schedule. But do factor in minor adjustments.
When we were young we all heard that early to bed, early to rise makes the man healthy, wealthy and wise. An early start saves a lot of time. If possible, begin and complete your assignments and projects well in time to avoid undue tension. Get up early so that you reach office well in time for your assignments.
The most comfortable environment does not necessarily promote learning. The best environment is one where you feel motivated, alert and reasonably comfortable to study. The moment you get a unique idea or you hear something noteworthy - just pen it down, and file it where it is easily accessible. Lack of self-discipline, idling, daydreaming, procrastinating, focusing on trivia, aimless channel surfing or browsing the Net are some of the most notorious time wasters to avoid.
Make your priorities clear. It is better to concentrate on a few select interests and hone them to perfection instead of trying to dabble in a large number of activities that leave you exhausted and unsatisfied. Discuss your goals and enlist their help in helping you stick to your schedule. Time management is a skill and, an art that can be developed through careful practice. And the sooner we start the better. We all have equal hours in the day and how we use them makes the difference in our lives. All that matters is how we use them. So next time, simply don’t waste time.