“Time Management” is a process of dividing your time into small slots and planning out what you want to achieve in that small slot. Good time management enables you to be more productive and achieve your goals. In the same way, bad time management leads to stress, frustration and failure.
We all get the same 24 hours in a day, and yet some people achieve more than us. Why? The answer is better time management.
Great achievers know how to manage their time efficiently. And you can also learn the skill of time management by using the time management tips or techniques mentioned in this post.
What is Time Management?
Time management is having a clear picture of how you will invest your time in specific activities. But it does not just stop there. Now comes the part when you have to take action.
“Plan out your work and work out your plan.”
Swami Chinmaya Nanda
People use time in two significant ways: constructively or destructively. Constructive use of time leads to success, fulfilment, happiness and destructive use of time leads to failure, stress and loss of productivity.
Personalities such as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos and many other use time very constructively.
Constructive use of time is what you must learn to achieve your goals faster. And time management is the first skill you must learn to start using your time constructively.
Why learn time management skills?
If you want to :
- Achieve more in less time.
- Be more productive.
- Feel stress-free.
- Get things done faster.
- Make more money.
- Feel fulfilled.
- Conquer your dreams.
If you desire the above-listed things out of your life, you have answered why you learn time management skills.
What is not time management?
Before moving to time management techniques, we must understand what time management is not.
- Time management is not forcing yourself to complete any tasks. It will make you stressful and your productivity level starts to drop when you perform under stress.
- Time management is not about cutting off from the world, your family or friends just to complete your work; it will create a disbalance in your life.
- It is not easy, to begin with, for an undisciplined mind.
Best Time Management Tips that Work
Organise your 24 hours according to your task or goals
The first step to manage your time well is to organise your day. Yes, simple as that, yet we are so ignorant we don’t prioritise organising our day.
Here is an example:
It is very much common in schools. The day is organised so that each class lasts for about 40 or 50 minutes with a different subject.
Throughout the day, you learn 8 different subjects, and if the teacher is good at explaining then you have gathered good knowledge. Once you take a look at the notes you have gathered, you will likely remember everything.
That is how important a role organising your day plays in your life and productivity.
Organising your day is like having a time table to stick to.
TIP: You don’t need to force yourself to stick to it; instead, you must have a flexible approach.
The Chanakya method of time management
Chanakya was the man behind kings. He was a thinker and strategist behind the great Indian kings. He was an excellent educator and visionary; he wrote great books like Chanakya Neeti and Ashtrashastra.
Chanakya had strict rules for the king, and one of the rules is on time management. So let’s have a look at how Chanakya way of time management.
Chanakya divided the day into 8 parts and the night into 8 parts. Each time slot is 90 minutes each.
And likewise, in every 90 minutes time slot, the king was assigned a different task he had to complete.
Research today says that we can concentrate on a particular task for 90 minutes if our mind is disciplined. If not, our concentration span can be less than 30 minutes.
It seems to me as Chanakya was way ahead of his time. And to begin with time management, you can start by using this exact time management method.
How to implement the time management strategy given by Chanakya?
- Start by diving the day and night into 8 parts each.
- Assign the goals you wish to accomplish within that time frame.
- Be flexible in your approach.
- Switch between different tasks and time slots to find your productive peak.
Prioritise your task
Prioritising your task will help you boost your productivity. The key to prioritising tasks depends on these factors:
- Is the task urgent?
- Is the task important?
Now, look at the goals you want to accomplish and cross-check them based on priority. You will undoubtedly find out what needs to be done at the moment.
Set deadlines and rewards
It’s easy to slack off sometimes and be easy on ourselves. And sometimes, we overdo it, which leads to unfulfilled tasks or goals.
To avoid that from happening, we must set deadlines and rewards. The greater advantage of setting deadlines and accomplishing goals in that deadline boosts self-confidence—a great plus point.
Your mind starts to get disciplined in that process.
Cut off the distractions
Whether you are aware of it or not, your concentration and focus deteriorate because your mind is constantly distracted. Distraction is like cancer on your journey to being productive.
Whenever you sit to accomplish a task, make sure to cut away all the distractions.
You can use time management devices to keep track of yourself.
- Be focused. Be determined
Have you watched the movie John Wick Chapter 1? Remember when Viggo Tarasov scolds his son to kill John Wicks dog and steal his car? Here is what Viggo actually says to his son about John Wick:
“John is a man of focus, a man of sheer will and determination, something you know nothing about.”
Viggo
That’s what I’m talking about here “Focus and determination”. You won’t travel far without focus. Develop it.
Get the attitude of being focused on whatever you set out to do and still remember to be flexible.
- Keep reviewing yourself
At the end of the day, check whether you accomplished all the task you set out to do. If you have not, then put it on the list.
Enjoy the feeling you get after you accomplish the task. Think about the next goal and start planning for it.
- Be balanced
Manage your time in such a way you that feel balanced and in control. Make room for everything you want to do and love to do.
Create time slots for creativity and fun with family and friends.
Be balanced in whatever you do.
Benefits of time management
Time management benefits all who apply it. Time management is beneficial for college kids, students, teachers or businessman etc. Anyone who wants to get more out of their life should invest in learning about time management. It’s a skill that will help you in the long run.
- You become more productive.
- You certainly will be happier.
- You will gain self-confidence.
- You will live a life of quality.
Conclusion
You should not worry and linger upon the time you have lost but put your energy and thoughts into constructing something beautiful with the time you have in your hand.