General Information About Time Management
Summary
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Time management means organising one’s use of time so that most of it is spent on things that are personally important and meaningful. Good time management does not mean constantly trying to get more done as efficiently as possible. It is not just about time and its management, but about self-leadership and planning one’s own actions.
Time management is a learnable skill
Time management is a skill that can be learned. We all have the same number of hours in a day, but our ways and abilities to manage time are individual. In time management, it is important to aim for accomplishing the things you set out to do while also leaving time for unhurried relaxation and rest.
Time management often involves many emotions, such as feelings of inadequacy and guilt when there isn’t enough time to do everything one wants. This can create a sense of urgency and the illusion that nothing can be done about the situation. Constant busyness can cause stress, exhaustion, and a feeling of existing solely for others. At such times, it is essential to pause and examine where your time is going.
Challenges with time management often include procrastination – the habit of delaying tasks. This occurs when starting a task feels difficult, even when you want to do it and know it is important and needs to be completed.
No one becomes perfect at time management. Be kind to yourself and bravely try different time management methods to find the ones that suit you best. Techniques include reviewing time usage, planning and tracking time, and prioritization.
Reviewing time usage
Reviewing time usage is essential when you want to find out where your time goes. It is also useful when feeling stressed.
It is worth examining how your time is spent daily. One good method is to keep track of how you use your time for a week. Record your time usage as accurately and truthfully as possible.
After tracking for a week, take time to reflect on your time usage:
- What activities consumed your time, and are there any so-called time thieves?
- How much time do you have control over?
- How do mandatory and voluntary activities align in your day?
- How well do you sleep? How do you eat? How do you take care of yourself?
- Did your time go to something else when you were supposed to be doing something entirely different?
