Be Effective in Time Management

Until we can manage TIME, we can manage nothing else. ~ Peter F. Drucker


The meaning of time management


Time management is self-management. It is to fill the time and do the things that matter the most to you. The most important thing is to enjoy what you do. Life is challenging and yet it is satisfying. When you like what you do every day, you will look forward to each new day hopefully and enthusiastically.



The way to manage time

If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what's most important and then give it all you've got. ~ Lee Iacocca



In order to spend time wisely, usefully, and productively, you have to organize and plan ahead and get things done promptly as planned. When you delay or procrastinate, it will take you a long time to reach your goals or get things done.



What do you want to accomplish?

Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?… True effectiveness requires balance. ~ Stephen Covey



The ultimate aim of time management is to achieve a balanced life. It means you are able to allocate your time to take care of many indispensable areas of your life. You cannot overlook the importance of each one. Your success in time management is to show how capable you are in spending your time to cover these areas and live a balanced life. Do you think you have spent enough time in the following areas?



• Work: When you enjoy what you do to earn a living, it is no longer work. If you don’t, you have to find happiness at work because you are going to spend more than 8 hours a day at the workplace. It is essential to like what you do while you spend time at work. To work is to earn an income to support your family and do everything else.



• Play: You work hard and you also need to play hard. To play is to exercise and to regain your balance after a stressful day at work.

Investing time to be physically fit is an important part of time management.



• Rest: To rest is to take breaks while at work. Your performance diminishes when you work non-stop. You are not wasting time when you take a break.



• Family: This is a crucial area to invest your time. Your family is at the centre of your life. You have to spend time to communicate, interact and have fun together.



• Reading and learning: It may not be urgent, but you still need to allocate time to read, learn and update yourself in order to stay ahead in this competitive world.



• Thinking: Spending some time in the evening to review your performance is time well-spent. Are you happy with what you have done for the day? Did you manage to complete the tasks on your to-do list? It is also a good time to plan ahead and get organized for the following day.



• Relationship building: We are all connected. We share, exchange, give and we receive in return. It is mutually beneficial to spend time and be connected with those we care for.



• Personal finance: If you don’t spend time to work out a budget and live within your means, you will regret later with unmanageable debt. You have to spend time and review your spending and save for your children’s education and your retirement.

At the end of the day, you will be happy that you have spent time doing what is worthwhile and fulfilling. When you do, you have, effectively, lived a day with contentment.

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right. ~ Nelson Mandela

There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing. ~ Brian Tracy