Time Management
- Mar 18, 2023
- 2 min read
Definition
TIME MANAGEMENT is the process of planning and exercising conscious control of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. It involves of various demands upon a person relating to work, social life, family, hobbies, personal interests, and commitments with the finite nature of time. Using time effectively gives the person “choice” on spending or managing activities at their own time and expediency. 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. Good time management enables an individual to complete more in a shorter period of time, lowers stress, and leads to career success.
Benefits of Time Management
The ability to manage your time effectively is important. Here are some benefits of managing time effectively:
1. Stress relief
Making and following a task schedule reduces anxiety. As you check off items on your “to-do” list, you can see that you are making tangible progress. This helps you avoid feeling stressed out with worry about whether you’re getting things done.
2. More time
Good time management gives you extra time to spend in your daily life. People who can time-manage effectively enjoy having more time to spend on hobbies or other personal pursuits.
3. More opportunities
Managing time well leads to more opportunities and less time wasted on trivial activities. Good time management skills are key qualities that employers look for. The ability to prioritize and schedule work is extremely desirable for any organization.
4. Ability to realize goals
Individuals who practice good time management are able to better achieve goals and objectives, and do so in a shorter length of time.
Implications of Poor Time Management
Let’s also consider the consequences of poor time management.
1. Poor workflow
The inability to plan ahead and stick to goals means poor efficiency. For example, if there are several important tasks to complete, an effective plan would be to complete related tasks together or sequentially. However, if you don’t plan ahead, you could end up having to jump back and forth, or backtrack, in doing your work. That translates to reduced efficiency and lower productivity.
2. Wasted time
Poor time management results in wasted time. For example, by talking to friends on social media while doing an assignment, you are distracting yourself and wasting time.
3. Loss of control
By not knowing what the next task is, you suffer from loss of control of your life. That can contribute to higher stress levels and anxiety.
4. Poor quality of work
Poor time management typically makes the quality of your work suffer. For example, having to rush to complete tasks at the last minute usually compromises quality.
5. Poor reputation
If clients or your employer cannot rely on you to complete tasks in a timely manner, their expectations and perceptions of you are adversely affected. If a client cannot rely on you to get something done on time, they will likely take their business elsewhere.
Spend your quality time well to avoid stress and lack of rest.
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