Time Management

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PrefaceWhen you learn and maintain good time management

skills, you’ll find freedom from deadline pressure and

from stress in general.

Time management skills are like shoes or a good pair of

jeans - you may have to try several pair before you

find just the right fit.

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Time Management SkillsI. Make a listII. Set deadlinesIII.Stop multi-taskingIV.Delegate

responsibilitiesV. Use your downtimeVI.Reward yourself

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Make a ListThe thing about making lists is that you actually have to use them.You may want to set reminders on your phone and computer.Prioritize yours and others’ needs and plan accordingly.You might even want to make three lists - personal, home and work.

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Set DeadlinesSet a deadline and try your best to stick to it.Set your deadline a few days before the task absolutely has to be done.This allows for the possibility that other things will get in the way, but also allow for you still to get the task done.

Stop Multi-tasking

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Multitasks often seem to think they get more accomplished, but it’s not always the most productive or efficient route.

Let’s face it, our minds work better when we are truly able to focus and concentrate on one thing.

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Delegate ResponsibilitiesSometimes we take on more than we can

handle.Delegation is not a sign of weakness, but a sign

of intelligence.

Find competent, reliable people and share

some of the responsibilities.

Use Your Downtime

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Using all of your downtime for planning and prioritizing is bad and can lead to increased stress and burnout.If you find yourself sitting in early morning traffic, start prioritizing your day or making plans for dinner.If you have opportunities like these make the best of them, but also remember to use them for relaxation as needed.

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Reward yourself.When you accomplish something, celebrate it! How you celebrate is up to you.Make sure it’s something you really enjoy, don’t do it in excessTime management skills are an essential part of making your day just a little easier. Find what works for you and stick to it.

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The Key to Good Time Management

Understanding the Difference between Urgent and Important

‘Urgent’ tasks demand your immediate attention, but whether you actually give them that attention may or may not matter.

'Important' tasks matter and not doing them may have serious consequences for you or others.

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ExamplesAnswering the phone is urgentGoing to the dentist regularly is important Picking your children up from school is both urgent and important.Reading funny emails or checking Facebook is neither urgent nor important.

This distinction between urgent and important is the key to prioritizing your time and your workload, whether at work or at home.

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Stay Calm and Keep Things in PerspectiveStay calm.

Going home or getting an early night, so that you are fit for tomorrow

Take a moment to pause and get your life and priorities into perspective

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Why use time management skills?Manage your time

Sometimes it may seem that there isn't enough time to do everything that you need to. This can lead to a buildup of stress.

Adjust your routine and patterns of behavior to reduce any time-related stress in our lives.

What skills are required for effective time management?

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Some of these skills including

• Setting Goals• Prioritizing• Avoiding Procrastination• Breaking Down Tasks• Persevering• Organizing your time

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Advantages of using a ‘To Do’ listFocuses your mind on important objectivesYou are less likely to forget to do tasksWriting a list helps order your thoughtsIt saves time and helps show the bigger pictureIt helps you decide on priorities: the most important and the most urgentYou always have something to work on

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Setting GoalsSet yourself specific and clearly defined goals,

and make sure that these are realistic and

achievable.

Have a contingency plan or alternative route to

your goal in case you have to change your

plans.

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PrioritizingEfficiency and effectiveness are different.Differentiate also between urgent and important tasks: an urgent task may not necessarily be important!

Avoiding Procrastination'Your fear of doing things' you don't want to do Taking action generates the impetus for further action

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Breaking Down TasksBreak goals down into their

components so that you can

accomplish them one step at a

timeReward yourself for achieving

these goals

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PerseveringLearn how to take a positive attitude towards frustration and failure.

The people who have achieved the most have made the most mistakes!

Work at effective strategies to deal with pressure

Organizing your time

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Identify areas of your life where you are wasting time

• Use a time log. Choose a typical week• First you need to make up a chart for the next

seven days divided into half hour intervals starting at the time you get up and finishing at the time you go to bed.

• Write down what you did in each half hour of the day for the next seven days.

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Questions. Please

Stop multi-tasking