Time Management

Time Management Plan

Perhaps the best time management technique is the use of a Time Management Plan. A plan provides organization, and enables you to see what must be done and when. Many of us try to keep plans in our heads, but unfortunately, things are forgotten, or put off and simply not done. Since a Time Management Plan is written down, you can see where you have been and where you are going at a glance. A plan will give you a sense of accomplishment, organize your work, free up some of your time, and alleviate some stress.

The plan is simple. All it takes is some paper, a pencil, a calendar and a little time (which is well invested).

STEP ONE: List all your major tasks and goals for a particular time frame.

STEP TWO: Assign priority rankings to your tasks and goals. This may not be an easy step because sometimes we really need to do some "soul searching" to decide the most important items. Suggestion: Break your items into three categories - high, medium and low priorities. Then rate the items in each category from high to low.

STEP THREE: On your calendar, begin plugging in your most important items. Make sure your "completed-by" dates are realistic; don't allow yourself too little or too much time to accomplish an item. Suggestion: For large or overwhelming tasks, try breaking them into smaller pieces or sub-tasks. Sometimes it is easier to do a lot of little things over time, than one large thing all at once.

STEP FOUR: Repeat the process with the medium priority items. Then take your list of low priority items and throw it away. They are items which probably didn't need to be done in the first place, or ones that will "take care of themselves."

STEP FIVE: Following your written plan with viable "completed-by" dates, you then start to work. Remember to do your highest priority items first (when possible). Guard yourself, because only YOU will know if you are cheating.

Time Frames

How far ahead do you plan? Well, it might be a good idea to do a series of plans with differing time frames. First, you might make a plan for your life. While this may be difficult, a life plan affords you a chance to be introspective about yourself, and over time, will give you a record of how you have changed.

For people in college, the first practical time frame might be your educational career. Lay out the courses you will be taking, and when you will take them. Remember to be realistic!

From here you may want to map out a semester. Take the course outlines you receive at the beginning of classes and plug in your reading assignments, papers, tests, and social recreation. Most assignments will be good examples of large tasks which should be broken into smaller sub-tasks.

This Time Management Plan should be posted where you will see it daily.

Lastly, depending on how organized you want to be, you may want to make a Time Management Plan for each week, and from there for each day. Be careful not to over-plan. Vary your workload so that it does not become boring and regimented. Tasks will be easier to do that way.

The key to a good Time Management Plan is personal commitment. Since it is a plan that you alone have made, with your abilities, desires, and goals in mind, you should have no trouble following it. If you don't feel a high degree of commitment, then you have probably not given an honest appraisal of yourself and your goals. Don't worry though, sometimes many of us get confused about what we really want. In this case, it is perhaps a good idea to talk with someone, such as a counselor, who can be objective and help you clear away some of the confusion.

Tips On Expanding Your Time

Remember that clear decision-making drops off when we reach the outer limits of our energy. Only set aside the time you need for a task - no more. If a task takes only 15 minutes, don't allow an hour.

A few hours of concentrated work when you feel good will outweigh twice the time spent when you don't.

Schedule your tasks at the times when you function best. Are you a "night person" or a "day person"?

Always allow some time for the unexpected. One unanticipated problem can cause others in an overly rigid schedule.

Schedule yourself some time for relaxation.

Don't waste time regretting your failures or feeling guilty about things you didn't do. Push ahead.

Watch your health. We function better if our bodies are in shape and we are well rested.

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