Time management can be described as a range of expertise, tools, and procedures used to manage time in the process of accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals. The concept of Time Management includes a broad variety of activities including but not limited to planning, allocating, setting goals, delegation, analysis of time spent, monitoring, organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing.
When we spend time, there is no improvement in efficiency, productivity, or effectiveness. The time is gone without a return. Many people spend their days in a frenzy of activity, but achieve very little, because they’re not concentrating their effort on the things that matter the most. We save time when we perform tasks in less time or with less effort than previously. We use shortcuts and processes that streamline activities. We invest time when we take time now to save time later. We spend time when we go to a movie; however, if we are a screenwriter, the time spent in the movie is an investment since it will help polish our writing skills. If we invest time to learn screenwriting software, we will save time in the future when we compose our scripts.
Personal time management skills are essential skills for effective people. People who use these techniques routinely are the highest achievers in all walks of life, from business to sport to public service. One who uses these skills is able to function exceptionally well, even under intense pressure. Time management strategies are often associated with the recommendation to set goals. These goals are recorded and may be broken down into a project, an action plan, or a simple task list. For individual tasks or for goals, an importance rating may be established, deadlines may be set, and priorities assigned. This process results in a plan with a task list or a schedule or calendar of activities. Authors may recommend a daily, weekly, monthly or other planning periods, usually fixed, but sometimes variable. Different planning periods may be associated with different scope of planning or review. Authors may or may not emphasize reviews of performance against plan. Routine and recurring tasks may or may not be integrated into the time management plan and, if integrated, the integration can be accomplished in various ways.
Here are some practical and proven tips to save time.
- Write things down
- Prioritize your list
- Plan your week
- Carry a notebook
- Learn to say no
- Think before acting
- Continuously improve yourself
- Think about what you are giving up to do your regular activities
- Use a time management system
- Identify bad habits
- Don’t do other people’s work
- Keep a goal journal
- Don’t be a perfectionist
- Beware of “filler” tasks
- Avoid “efficiency traps”
If we become a good time manager, we will not only get a lot more done in less time, but will also feel more relaxed, focused and in control of our life. We will be able to use our time in a much more balanced and effective way and we will be able to make time for the people and activities that we love. When we get to the end of a busy day, we will feel a strong sense of accomplishment from everything that we actually got done.
Improving our time management skills can even help we get better results by doing less work, because we’re focusing on the things that really matter rather than all the low-priority busywork that just keeps us busy.