Developing time management skills is a journey. Time Management is about accuracy, choices, and allocating the right time to our daily activities. Some key questions to ask yourself are; (a) how do I manage my time effectively? (b) What do I do? (c) When do I do it? and (d) How well do I do it?
Here are some tips to get you started:
- Prepare yourself first: Make a list of the tasks you need to accomplish.
- Prioritize: Decide which tasks must be done first and work on completing them.
- Balance your effort: Do today’s tasks. Concentrate on what is at hand; do not allow yourself to lose focus.
- Determine when is most productive time of day and maximize these hours: Some people work better in the morning, and some are more focused in the evening.
- Manage time in increments: Give yourself a time frame to complete a portion of a task or the entire task.
- Keep track of your progress: Cross things off the list as they are completed. You’ll feel more relieved and relaxed just by getting through the daily tasks, and it will give you a sense of accomplishment and spur motivation.
- Avoid procrastination: Ignoring the task will not get it done. Win the mental battle by completing them on time.
- Take a break: Clear your mind and refresh yourself to refocus.
– Martinet May, B.Sc.,
Educator, Kingston, Jamaica