Importance of Time Management: How To Manage Your Time

I used to have a roommate that was horrible with time management.  It was not that they were slow, disorganized, or unmotivated — they just did not know how to be in control of their time.  The importance of time management involves knowing how to manage and make the most out of the time that you are given, and it is essential and important for your personal, career, and lifestyle goals.

To help you recognize the importance of time management, we are going to go over a few reasons why it is so important, and how you can go about managing your day in the most effective way possible.

Why Is Time Management Important?

1. Time is fleeting:   Time is a resource that we cannot pack away and save for later.  We are all given the same amount of time each day, so it is important that we use the time that we have in the best and most efficient way possible.  Once time passes, we cannot go back later and retrieve it.
2. Accomplish more:  By managing your time wisely, you can ultimately accomplish more.  Think about times when you were able to stay focused—you were probably doing things to help manage your time.  Usually focus and proper attention to a task at hand will enable you to have a higher efficiency level than you would otherwise.  If you were not focused, for instance, and you stopped every 5 to 10 minutes, you would likely lose momentum and easily tire.
3. Decision making:  Time management can help you make choices more efficiently.  When you are in a time crunch, you are more likely to make rash and quick decisions that may have not been thought through completely.  When you have time to sit back and access a situation to determine the best outcome for the choices you have, you are more likely to make a better and more informed decision.
4. Success:  Successful people make good decisions.  They know how to take control of their life rather than just going with the flow.  By creating your own time table and managing your time as it pertains to your success and career, the more efficiency and focus you will have to propel you though life.
5. Learning:  When you are able to manage and control your time in an efficient manner, you will be able to learn and experience more that life has to offer.  Take college, for instance.  There are certain students that graduate faster than others, and some students that take longer than the allocated time frame.  All this has to do with their time managing abilities.  If you know how to manage your time, you will be able to learn more and move up the ladder in life faster.
6. Reducing Stress:  A lot of us feel stressed because we feel like we have no time or not enough time to do what we need to do.  With the proper tools of time management, we can accomplish more in a shorter amount of time and have more time to spend doing other things that are on our list.  Overall, e can become more productive and efficient that will allow us breathing room and decrease stress and frustration.
7. Improved quality:  When we have more time to spend on a certain task or project, the better our results will be because we are able to focus more clearly, check, and revise our work.  Additionally, time management will allow us the time we need to unwind and relax.  The extra time we have recharging can help us perform more efficiently in our tasks because we have a clearer mind that is capable of optimum focus.
8. Increased discipline:  People who do not practice time management tend to lack in the discipline department.  This is because they do not feel obligated or in need of achieving something in a timely manner.  Productivity leads to discipline and drive, which are all qualities of a successful individual.

How To Manage Your Time

Now that you are aware of the importance of time management and the benefits that it has to offer you in your life, career, and growth and development, let’s take a look at 5 easy steps that you can take to better manage your time.

Step 1:  Prepare yourself for the day

When you get up in the morning, take about 30 minutes to write a list of things that you need to accomplish, when you need to accomplish them, and how you are going to get your list done.  Make a realistic timeline and be specific.  If you have any deadlines, indicate the times that they need to be completed so that you are aware of the priority that certain tasks have.

Step 2:  Create balance

Chances are, you might have a large number of things that you need to work on.  To keep yourself from being overwhelmed, start with the most important tasks that you have to get done that day, and then proceed on down your list.  Do not try to multi task different tasks at once, as this will only contribute to burnout and confusion.

Step 3:  Know when you work best

Everyone has a certain time of day in which they are most productive.  Some people work bettr in the evening than they do first thing in the morning.

Step 4:  Take a break

No matter how hard a worker you might be, you are not a robot.  Give yourself a break every so often to keep your mind refreshed, cleared, and focused.

Step 5:  Assess your list

Depending on how your first run goes with developing time management, you may want to rewrite or prioritize your list accordingly.  You will slowly discover different things as you go that will help you work better and create more effective daily or weekly goals.

Take Control of Your Life

Proper time management will help you improve all different aspects and areas of your life to help you continue through your daily cycles and routines in the most efficient way possible.  By learning to manage your time wisely, you will become happier, more successful, and it will be easier for you to live stress free.  For a mindful approach to time management, enroll in this course to help take charge of your life and your time.