
Perhaps the most important time management strategy is using day mangement planning. Time management without effective day planning is like an ice cream cone without ice cream; it looks enticing on the outside, but there isn't anything sweet on the inside.
Creative Time Management and Day Planning
The core of time management is to take each project that you have and break the project down into pieces that can be accomplished in short, realistic periods of time. Prioritize these tasks and assign due dates to each of them. If you can, delegate responsibilities to others. The key is to note each task, its due date and who is involved on your day planner. All of the sudden, instead of having a bunch of heavy duty projects that threaten to bury you, you have daily lists of tasks that you can prioritize and complete.
This does several things for you. First, you won't have to think about what you may have forgotten because you already have it written down. This can greatly reduce your stress level. In addition, when something unexpected suddenly swallows up a good chunk of your time, you don't have to completely panic because your day planner will come to your rescue. Your day planner will tell you where you are in each of your projects and help you decide which tasks can be deferred to take on the new challenge.
Use your day planner to manage all aspects of your life. If, for example, you are a business person and going to school at the same time, prioritize your school and work lives as well as your personal time in the same planner to help you work with the different aspects of your life more effectively.
In addition to using your day planner for projects at hand, use it to keep track of doctor's appointments, important social engagements and your kids' soccer games. This will ensure that you don't forget to include an important activity that you need to make a priority on a given day.
Don't forget to cross off tasks in your day planner that you have completed. When you look back and see everything that you have done, you will really realize how much that you can accomplish.
We are all taught the importance of time management, but do we realize just how important it is? Time management is what is known as effectively using your time to complete necessary tasks. The need for time management most often occurs in school or in the workplace; however, they are not the only places where time management may be needed. |
Make no mistake: the effect of getting to grips with time management can be considerable and varied. It can affect your efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. This alone makes your attitude to time management very important, for it affects your work day by day, hour by hour, all the time. |