UNITE Tt Time Management ' jective: : Learning es the skill of Time Management ‘0 teach and to realize the imports nce and proper usage of Time in their daily lives. 2. Brainstorming: Sb? at is your daily Time Ta _ . i ee eh time do you spend for Traveling, Studying, Pal 2 Sleeping and Watching T.V? 7 1 3. Theoretical Input: ment? hat _is Time Manage! 43.1 ‘ane the best use you can of that most precious TesoUrge sine is knowing a system for helping you meet your goals, Knowing practical tips for using your time effectively. Knowing how to Stccegy when facing stumbling blocks or procrastination, Knowing yourself Your habits, goals, and times during the day when you are most alert ang me Management really means managing yourself. tisa way More effective, creative and more successfu 3.2. Why Time management so important? “Because time management is a tool you neéd to succeed - in schoo| and beyond: it enables you to: Achieve more, so you can get the most out of your academic career. Have more free time, so you can participate in activities that are important to you. Lead a balanced life, so you can better enjoy both work and play. Meet deadlines, so you can be firmly in control of your life and work] 3.3 Will Time Management help you? Absolutely. “Won't Time Management make my life too scheduled and take the fun out of it?” spontancirt’ Purpose of Time management is not to take away i ineity. It is to give = it your life! Bive you freedom —so you can do what you want W “Thave got too much it t oo to do as it is, i agement ju! anger activity that will take up time?” Is not time manag 10, because Time management wi ‘ ; ae : will help you avoii ing time on thing that are unimportant or uninteresting, P you avoid spending 1663.4 The Time Factor “ifthere is something that most of us don't seem to have enoug! Everyone is moving at full speed and there’ day to get everything done that we want to do. And even if we get a couple of hours more everyday, we'd prob: h, it's time, still not cnough hours in the : . ably not have enough time. This is especially truc for those of us who are than one part time job, To manage your tine better and gy Tew steps that you could follow, students or who do more ct your jobs finished faster, here > t (Make I + List making is a good way to not only things you want to bu deadlines, ete. keep track of nt to but also of upcoming tasks that need to be done, A list also has the advantage of allowing you to see all of your obligations on the page, which reduces the stress of being over- obligated. Somehow, when you can reduce the things that need to be done to a short piece of paper, it does'nt seem to be quite intimidating. Should you schedule your work? This decision is up to you. Some people work very well when they give themselves, say, an hour to do their maths homework, or 45 minutes to clean one’s room. If this works for you, then by all means, schedule out the amount of time you think you will need to spend on each task. But be realistic. Don’t, for example, schedule five minutes for your chemistry subject reading. And flexible; often, tasks take longer than we think they will take. @ (Learn to prioritise: Once you've made your list, number the items iiVour order of priority. Very often, we're too busy because we create obligations for ourselves. So take a long hard look at your list and think: Do you really need to go to your friend’s house or should spend your time cleaning out your cupboard? | Don't set unrealistic goals: Going on a five kilometers walk as part of your weight losing session? Wouldn’t it be stretching ita bit? Why not begin with qo kilometres Even when it comes to reading your lessons, try no to cram ina lot of stall at one time. When we set unreasonable goals, we tend to get frustrated when we can't complete them, Setting smaller goals allows you to actually accomplish them, which gives you a greater feeling of Satisfaction. 167nto small chunks: 1's Tike eating five sina CG [Break tas ig three huge meals. If you learn to brea a day, instead o! then you'll end up doing more Cfficienyy Me ang tasks that you have to do, better. é isis are definitely going to |; iz. s is one you are Y Boing to like @ (Reward See aRanver list, take a break, read a book juste w you are finished with half your list, ake 3 rete read at oki _ Stretgh i for a walk. a have a snack, go ; ids. The promise of a reward for thy or play with the dog or the kids. The f inishinet task can be motivating. (2 Get ria of distractions: Some days it seems like the whole world is out to distract you om what a ee on it lone. It happens with everyone, so try to minimize distractions. If you have given your, an hour to finish doing your homework, then don’t let anything bother yo, in between. Say, you get a call from your friend. Let your dad or Mom attend and ask your friend to call back later. Sometimes, you have to say “later” to your friends when they want to do something. It’s not a crimeiy put your own needs first, at least some of the time. -—~ @ Have some fun: There’s a lot of truth in that old saying aboutall work and no play{Schedule some relaxation time. Give yourself a day off orahalfa day} Spend some time doing things you enjoy but don’t have to do. Remember the idea of rewarding yourself? You can make a deal with yourself:(If you work really hard on Monday, you can take Tuesday Off and run over to your friend’s place. This is important. If we spend all our time doing work related tasks, we get even more stressed oui] Plus, we become rather self absorbed and boring. Relaxation reduces stress and makes you a likeable person”. 3.5 The Management of Time is the maregement of Life “Punctuality is a problem for many pe : When yo are a Staple for many people meetings or work, you show a lack of respect for other people’s time as well as your own You are also correct in assuming it is a sign r disorganization} ne Hlow.can you Kortect your lateness problem? Well here are s* — steps that you can tak ——$_ one 168g Makeup your mind that you will be punctual from now on. In many cases lateness is caused by a lack of? commitment to arrive on time. Have the right mind set, g Record the commitment in your planner and also record the time you must leave the house or college in order to arrive on time. g In carrying out step two, plan to arrive five to 10 minutes earl g If you have a fair distance to travel, always allow more time than you think it will take, This is the same time fora task than you think it will take. Z Don't be trapped by the ‘one last thing’ syndrome. If you're ready to leave and it’s still early, leave any way. Utilise the time at the other end rather than trying to finish one more task before you leave, g if you are not a morning person, but have early moming commitments: set the alarm a little earlier. Some of us may need to go to bed a little carlier to make this work. When it comes right down to it, punctuality is a habit that can be developed. It takes great effort at first, but eventually simply happens. s scheduling more When you are late you are wastin the time of another person, in fact, you are’ ithe jonesemene of aoe literally stealing part of his life! To be) your Life. When you waste punctual means not simply to be on time! | time you are wasting life. But to be early: People of good character’ are prompt. Tardiness is an evidence of poor character. Lateness is not a sign of business, but poor planning. Those who plan with care usually have time to spare. Being on time means you are actually present at the appointed moment, not that you are on your way or parking your car or entering the building. The student is in his seat. The worker is at his desk. Tardiness can be a disaster. Two people appear for a job, but one does not get it because he was late. Excuses are never a substitute: “There was a traffic jam”. “The bus broke down” “I will never be late ever again” have all been heard too many times. It’s a “matter of character and Courtesy to be on time. If you are the leader of a gathering, start on time, Tegardless of how many are present. Never favour the latecomers by waiting for them and so abuse: those who came on time. If 15 people are Present and you start one minute late, you have wasted 15 minutes. Punctuality reveals character”. 169) 3,6 Where does Before you can mi now. Here is how your fime 9°? know + ae, you nced to know how yoy « anage your times ys you Spey ' to find out: Keep a time log: . %, ‘arty ook everywhere you gt lf 8 cary en ines down what you ay (i) are doing a short note will do. donot As 8 Make entries, as you go along - jo no SARS wait until later. 8 Keep the time log for a week. Evaluate the Review the log ant 60 £0 00 60 60 results: d ask yourself. 0 do? Did I do everything I had t t things done? Was | rushed for time to ge' Did I meet all deadlines? . What personal habits kept me from achieving my goals? ‘At what time of day was I most productive? Least? Your next slip... Make a list of everything you plan to do. Divide the list into: Fixed commitments: - These are tasks you must do at a certain time - meetings, appointments. etc., other examples include: Classes, sleeping, meals, job 8 Flexible commitments - These are obligations you can meet on your own time. Forexample: Study times, homework, social events, time spent with friends or relaxing. Then list correctly. Write it down. List everything you have to do on paper. Unless the list is written, “things to do” are less apt to get done! Update the list. Everyday, cross items off the list as you do them, and add new items. Know what's important and what's not! This is the key to keep you from feeling overwhelmed, _ % Assign Priorities! . 7 * On your “List of things to do” show prioriti ‘ ny a hing 10 do” show priorities, Beside each task walt? ng its importance. Thus you'll end up with: 170[cat pnavities: sks you should be working on now. Sb aye priorities: tasks that ean wait until ® Ss yg prioritios: tasks that are 3 tasks are done. eo't very important and can wait, al the best times to work and ful people know this and yn to settedule — A schedule tets you pick ” ; la you Ht ie puts you incharge of your time, Succ play’ . fake dame «0 plan! How sehedule; Use a planning: guide ~ Buy or make your own weekly planning hedule key events, projects, deadlines, guide, Divide and conquer - Make your work manageable, Divide | jarge matler parts and complete one part at a time. Focus on goals ~ Don’t lose sight of your larger goals and aims! Know the big picture! Know your peak times, If you're like most people. You probably enjoy certa day when you're at your best. n parts of the Which are yours? High - energy times. “ The time of day, 1 g Have the most energy £ Feel the most productive 8g Think most clearly. Low Energy Times. S The time of day I 2 Fade quickly g Have the least energy. & Feel least alert, Control interruptions. Interruptions can eat up massive chunks of time, Me Most common ones include: Drop - in visitors ‘noise’ ‘telephone calls’ interruptions you create for the sake of distraction. 174But you can control them. Here's how. y own study - use a quiet, well lit place to stud . . ieee focus on your work. A library is often bee You" fing 2 Schedule social time - you'll achieve a nice balance betwe, w & play knowing that you've planned enough- time for bore 2 Learn to say no - Re assertive. Politely but firmly let visite phone callers know that you’re busy. ang z Control distractions - turn off the TV and Stereo. Do, interruptions. Make your environment as conducive to possible. Important tips to help you stretch the clock. ise wailing time - think of the hours spent waiting in jj Taconic etc., Use this time to read a book. jot down ides etc., 2. Don’t cram ~ It’s ineffective and inefficient. Have an Organize way to study for tests - and give yourself plenty of time! 3. Tackle hard subjects first - the feeling of achievement can give your day momentum. Build on success! . 4 Avoid perfectionism - unless perfection is called for, don’t Waste Valuable time trying to make every project you do better-perfect, 5. Know your instructions — There’s no bigger waste of time than following the wrong directions for an assignment. If you're not sure, ask your instructor, 6. Take care of yourself - proper exercise and nutrition help you stay physically fit and mentally alert. Make time for both. 7. Plan.creative.time - Schedule time each day to do things that recharge your creative batteries or help put your life in perspective. 8. Don’t overcommit — Don’t spread yourself too thin. Commit yourself to only those activities you can manage in the time you have. 7 _ N’t allo, Working as 3.7 How to gain an extra mile every day To get through a day successfully and satisfyingly, you cane! approach it as though it were a Period in the stream of your total time budget. How effectively you get your days work done depends partly °° the institutional resources Supporting your efforts; your 0" self-organization and your own working habits. All these in combination are the basis for coursing successfully through each day.* 172yr b | 3.8 Ti ips for Time Management _' Check Your Mi i Ask your self why you are doing — or not doing - the task. Will it advance you toward a goal you really want to reach? Is your heart in it? Do you inwardly object to the project (“My Better Idea was rejected and now I'm supposed to work on this!”), or the person who assigned the task (“Who is he/she to tell me what to do?”)? Sometimes procrastination can be a signal that we can really live without something. Do you really care how shinny your car is, or do you just feel that you should? Unload: Is your “to do” list burying you alive? Are you burdening yourself, with more tasks than can be accomplished in a life time of work? If you set yourself up for the failure, you are likely to succeed at it. Take it easy on yourself. Do some “task triage”: Decide what needs to be done now, what can wait, and what doesn’t need to be done at all. Focus your efforts and energy. Get in touch with what’s important to you. We all have our “have tos”, but the “want tos” also count. After you have identified what really does not need to be done, a number of techniques can help. Set a realistic deadline: Leaving the completion of the task open — ended is like saying someone “lets do lunch” — unless you set a date, it’ll never happen. Say when. And beware of super goals. If the job will take three days, don’t promise to have it done by tomorrow. On the other hand, two distant deadlines can defeat your purpose. Interim deadlines help. One task at a time: Break each task into smaller tasks. And all — or—nothing approach is a real stress ~ builder. Doing things a little at atime not only makes them easier to handle but allows you to enjoy a sense of accomplishment sooner. Take the first step : The journey of one thousand miles really does begin with one step. And the first one can be the hardest. So make it easier on yourself; just do something. Anything. Turn on the Computer. Ease into the task. 173Remove Distractions : That means people, noise, py Fi " TV, 4 other things you have to do — including those other tay Ti > of the -y SKS. ‘ been putting off. Take the phone of the hook, Close the tn ie qr, Get Physically, emotionally and mentally ready to Work; let hunger or thirst pull you away from the task at hand, Fortig Dom, body before hand, and keep a water pitcher or coffee urn you reach, ‘thin Stock up on your needs: Beware the unsharpened pencil, unknown phone number, or misplaced tools. Once you're lured ay from the task, it’s a hard job to return to it. So assemble oa equipment. Don’t leave yourself excuses to wander, Join forces: There’s nothing wrong with teamwork. Can q co-worker or family member get involved? Would a friend enjoy pitching in? You can motivate each other and even have some fun, Two heads, and two bodies, really can be better than one. Get a “Sponsor”: Take a tip from twelve step groups and find someone with whom to check in to be sure you’re sticking with the programme and help you through the rough spots. Recognize the occasions when delay can be helpful: when you are tired or angry and cannot concentrate on the task, or when you need more information or equipment. Sometimes things really look better in the morning. Reward yourself when you get something done: acknowledge your accomplishment and give your self a good pat on the back.*