Why it's Important to Start Learning Time ManagementHome » Importance » Learning Time ManagementWho needs to manage their time anyway? You do! We all do! Modern life is full of activity, some of it important, some less so. It’s so easy to let the less important fill our days, leaving us tossing and turning at night because that big deadline just got one day closer with no progress. So, yes, learning time management is crucial if you want to live less stressful lives. The importance of managing time gets lots of press these days, and that may make it seem harder than it actually is. A few simple principles will get you going down the path of making better use of your time. You don’t need a bunch of books, all with different plans, although you can get some good ideas from them. Nor do you need a fancy new planner system. Just follow these simple steps to get you started in learning time management. Know where you’re going.The first step in managing your time is knowing what you need to do. Spend some time with a notebook and pencil, and make a list of all the items on your dreaded to-do list.Write down everything, even if it seems silly. Yes, you do need to add taking the kids to soccer, washing the floors, and taking the dog to the park. Your life is not just work, and you do need to fit as much of it in as you can. Get a calendar.You probably have one on your computer that has all sorts of bells and whistles. I use one that allows me to color different tasks: Green for work, blue for personal, purple for family, pink for anything else. If you don’t have a calendar on your computer, any calendar with room to write will do.Put in all the critical deadlines.When I get a new job, I put it on the calendar and block off time for it every day until the deadline.I also put in doctor appointments, standing meetings, and any social engagements I want to participate in. If my kids have an event, that goes on the calendar as well. Be sure to schedule family times. If you don’t put a date with your spouse on the schedule, you may never get around to taking time for each other. My spouse and I use a Google Calendar (see Three Tools for Managing Time )to schedule our dates because we can both enter information into the same calendar. Step back and look at your schedule.Are you overcommitted? What can you change? As a general rule, I try not to schedule more than two non-work things per day. Since I work for myself, and have the flexibility to schedule my work around my life, this works for me. If you work for someone else, two things may be too much. Figure out what works for you.Eliminate or delegate anything you can.Do you really need to mop the kitchen floor every day? Can your kids get to soccer in a carpool? Can your teenage sons be responsible for getting dinner on the table and doing the grocery shopping?They have to learn someday, might as well be now. You’ll be doing them a favor in the long run. Block off time for the important deadlines.My calendar allows me to set up blocks of time. I use four-hour chunks and designate them to the most pressing projects. Two four-hour chunks allow me to simulate life in the office and keeps me focused on getting my work done. I use short breaks to make phone calls, read email, or take care of less important tasks.Fit the rest in where you can.Make sure you put in time every day for yourself. You need exercise, quiet time, and relaxation. Burnout happens when we spend all our time taking care of other priorities and forget to take care of ourselves.Don’t sweat the small stuff.If you take care of the important things first, meet your deadlines, and aren’t worrying yourself to sleep every night, you have succeeded. Let the rest of it be.Part of the reason we have such problems with managing time is because we try to do too much. We have to learn to set realistic expectations for ourselves. Start learning time management skills now and your life will be more manageable, happier, and less stressful. Why you should start learning time management- Contributed by Susan L. Learning Time Management Skills to Importance of Time Management
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