Time management is the process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. It is a meta-activity with the goal to maximize the overall benefit of a set of other activities within the boundary condition of a limited amount of time, as time itself cannot be managed because it is fixed. So, what is the question: What is Means of Time Management?
Explains, What is Means of Time Management? Meaning and Definition.
Time management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects, and goals complying with a due date. Initially, time management referred to just business or work activities, but eventually, the term broadened to include personal activities as well. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools, techniques, and methods. Time management is usually a necessity in any project development as it determines the project completion time and scope.
A highly competitive and fast-paced world, time management is now easily recognized as one of the most essential survival skills. It is the key not just to achieve your biggest goals, but also ensure that you will get the quality of life that you desire. It is in fact so important that everyone from the most competitive sales representative to the multi-tasking single parent needs it.
Strictly speaking, time management as a concept is defined as the conscious process of planning and controlling the amount of time spent on particular tasks. The better your time management skills are, the more productive, efficient, and effective you tend to be. In the past, it was implemented only in school- and work-related tasks, but now it can be used for any purpose.
You can think of time management as an umbrella, and under it are a variety of tools, strategies, and methods. You can choose from and apply any of these until you are able to find the one that best suits your needs, preference, and personality.
Nevertheless, whichever time management tool or strategy you choose, you should be able to comply with each of its five major dimensions:
- The priorities should be clearly established.
- The tasks carried out should be geared towards these priorities and explicitly explained.
- The time, energy, and resources spent on unimportant or non-urgent tasks should be reduced, if not eliminated.
- The system (including your surroundings and the tools you use) should be made conducive in order to enhance productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency.
- Motivational factors (such as rewards or sheer self-discipline) should be present to guarantee the fulfillment of the time-bound tasks.
When you take a closer look at these five dimensions, you would notice that none of them would exist if one does not plan ahead of time.
For instance, the first dimension is about highlighting your goals or priorities, while the second is about enumerating specific tasks related to these priorities. Describing a goal and coming up with a To-Do list related to that goal is the perfect example.
The third dimension is about reducing or eliminating tasks that are not as important. This process is essential because time is fixed since everyone gets the same twenty-four hours daily. For instance, let us say you did create a list of task in line with your priorities. However, if there are too many tasks for the day, then you will need to pare down the list to the most important ones.
The fourth dimension stressed the importance of ensuring that you have a well-organized system before you even begin with your tasks. One example of this is to clear out, clean, and organize your desk space if you are to use it to complete a certain task.
Motivational factors or incentives are the emphases of the final dimension and for a good reason. It is important to return to the main reason as to why you even want to manage your time well for these priorities. It could be that you are motivated to complete the task because there is a monetary reward at the end. On the other hand, you might be doing the task because you want to improve your skills. Regardless of how you become motivated, it is therefore important to be motivated per see.
Naturally, none of us is a robot who can simply move like clockwork. It is one thing to be highly organized, focused, and efficient at what you do. It is altogether another thing to be completely rigid without room for spontaneity. Therefore, it is best to maintain balance by managing your time well, but not letting the idea of it overwhelm your life.
Now that you are familiar with the general concept of time management, you might be eager to explore some of its most effective tools and strategies. You can start with the next chapter, which will help you set goals efficiently.
