Time management

Time Management 

Obviously throughout my college career, time management has been a major issue for me.  Between work, school and just my inherent procrastination and sheer laziness,  I never seemed to be able to manage my time wisely.  Honestly when starting this assignment I did not know where to begin on how to discuss time management and its importance because it is a skill that I have always lacked.  So with that being said I did some research on time management and its importance and how it can benefit your career and life in general and make you more in control of your life.  To me, time management is a decision you CHOSE to make to create a better life for yourself and  ultimately to be successful.  Without it, any thing you dream of doing or becoming is impossible.  Through my research, I found a few articles online that can describe the importance of time management and its benefits far better than I would every be able to describe in my own words.   I found the following description of time management very inspiring and a good set of rules to live by in the future if I plan on being successful in my life and career:

Time is finite.


There are only so many hours in a day, none of which can be reclaimed. How many hours a day do you have left today? Whatever your definition of time management, it can’t be stored, saved or borrowed. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Time management is about making the most of your time. You’re more efficient.
Better time management can help you do more of what you have to do –- faster. This doesn’t mean cutting corners or a decrease in quality. You just do what you have to do quicker so you can do what you want to do sooner. Work smarter, not harder, and definitely not longer than you have to.

You feel calmer and more in control.

Learning time management skills matters because it will reduce the amount of unhealthy stress you feel. There will always be more than enough requests, demands and distractions to deal with.

You’re more fulfilled.
People often think that getting organized means time management software, lists, planners and diaries, but it goes beyond that. It starts with the choices and decisions you make based on the values you hold.  When you know what matters and you do it efficiently, it’s time well spent.  How you function affects how you feel about the whole of your life.

You have more energy.

Strange but true -- the act of finishing tasks often brings a level of satisfaction and energy that makes you feel good. The importance of time management here? It will help you do more of those endorphin releasing activities.  Your ability to manage time has a direct affect on your energy levels, as does your willingness to develop smart habits to improve your health now and in the years to come.

You develop more qualities.

Once you apply skills, techniques and strategies, you’ll find that they only work in conjunction with qualities that we all have, but don’t all use. Patience, persistence, self discipline and learning how to be assertive – all get developed.  As you develop your awareness of time, your ability to manage it improves, too. For example, if you are career minded, this is one of the fundamental basic management skills to develop.

You achieve what you want to and need to -- faster.

Better time management means you find that you finish more of what you start, sooner. At the level of goals, projects and actions, it can often mean the difference between 'done' and 'doing'.  We all know how to waste time, but overcoming procrastination is always possible.

You enjoy your life more.

After all, that’s what it’s about, isn’t it? What’s the importance of time management in your life? The more value you put on your time, the greater your ability to learn how to do what matters so you can enjoy life more.  Managing how you use your time is a means to an end, but it brings enjoyment and satisfaction in it's own right as well.

The importance of time management depends on the value we place on our time. How much do you value your days, hours and minutes?  Value, however, can usually be increased. Developing self awareness in terms of time is the first step.  Learning time management skills is the next.  When we appreciate the importance of time, learn how to manage it, maximize it and actually apply those skills, we can genuinely say our time has been well spent.

"Time management is not a peripheral activity or skill. It is the core skill upon which everything else in life depends." - Brian Tracy