Ever wondered why some people have the time to accomplish everything they want, while others rush from one task to another and never seem to finish anything?
Some people simply have less work to do. They are more likely to be using their time better, i.e., showing good time-management skills.
The ability to manage your time effectively and productively is called time management. It is also the ability to manage your time to do all of the things you need without feeling stressed. Although it sounds easy, it can sometimes be complicated.
This page will explain some of the basic principles behind time management.
Time management is important.
It is essential to have good time management skills because we rarely, if ever, have enough free time to accomplish everything we ask for or want to achieve.
When you think of time management, think about using your time efficiently and productively. But what if you’re working as productively and efficiently as possible and still need help getting everything done? You can think of time management in terms of prioritizing your time and working efficiently.
People who are good with time management also tend to be good at moving forward and getting things done. However, they are also better at prioritizing and working out, which requires doing.
They can do so because they know the difference between urgent and essential.
- Urgent tasks require your immediate attention. However, whether or not you give them this attention is irrelevant.
- Important tasks are essential, and if you don’t do them, it could have severe consequences for your life or the lives of others.
As an example:
- It is urgent to answer the phone. You won’t be able to tell why the caller called, and it could be essential. You may hear an automated voice tell you that you could entitled to compensation if you were mis-sold your insurance. It’s irrelevant.
- Regular dental visits are essential, or so we’re told. You may develop gum disease or other problems if you do not. It’s not urgent. You may experience a toothache if you wait too long.
- It is urgent and essential to pick up your child from school. If you arrive late, they will wait in the playground or even the classroom. It may be inconvenient for others, such as the teachers waiting with your child.
- Checking Facebook or reading funny emails is not urgent. Why is this the first thing you do every day? You can use our page to minimize distractions and identify and avoid any other distractions preventing you from completing your urgent and essential tasks.
The key to prioritizing time and workload is distinguishing between urgent and essential tasks. This applies whether you are at work, home, or studying.
You can then decide what you need to do first and what else can wait until later or done without. If you put off an urgent but unimportant task, it may become unnecessary.
More Principles of Good Time Management
Prioritizing your work is made more accessible using a priority matrix. Time management is about more than prioritization. It is also about working more efficiently. You can also improve your productivity and efficiency in other ways.
- Keep Tidy
- Clutter can be a real distraction for some people, and it can also be depressing.
- Tidying can boost motivation and self-esteem. If your workspace and systems are kept up-to-date, you will find it easier to stay organize.
- Use a “to-do” list.
- Lists, whether electronic or on paper, are a great way to track what you must do and may have forgotten.
- Remember to remove items from your list once they are complete or no longer require attention.
- Choose your moment.
- We all have certain times when we are more productive. Schedule the most difficult tasks during those times.
- You should also schedule things you need to do at specific times—for example, meetings or trips to the post office.
- It is also helpful to make a list of small but essential tasks that you can do in the odd 10 minutes between meetings. It’s the perfect time to email to confirm your holiday dates.
- Use scheduling technology.
- Do not procrastinate, but do ask why you are tempt.
- Get on with a task that is urgent and important.
- Ask yourself why you are not doing it.
- You may doubt whether or not the task is worth doing. You may be concerned about ethics or that it is not the best choice. You may find others who agree. Discuss it with your colleagues, manager, or family members if you are at work.
- Do not try to multitask.
- People aren’t good at multitasking because their brains need time to refocus.
- You should finish one task before starting another. Try to group similar tasks together and complete them in a logical order.