Manage Yourself – not Time!

Although we hear much about Time Management perhaps this isn't really the right term to use. For time is simply something we don't control and therefore cannot manage. What we can manage is how we use it and so perhaps we should focus more on the idea of ‘Self- Management'. Here are a few ideas.

1. Maintain a log
A good place to start is to observe where you are spending your time now. After all, you can't fix a problem properly before you fully identify it. Keep a record of where every hour goes and maintain a log. You will probably be surprised at what you actually spend time on. In other words... ‘Time Management'

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you manage yourself better and reduce stress:

1. Schedule your breaks
Nobody works effectively for 8 – 10 hours straight, so resist the temptation to skip breaks during busy periods and revive yourself with a short walk, stretches or just relax for a few minutes. It can help with your energy levels and give you the concentration to focus on work.

2. Completing a task before starting another
This is particularly useful to those who tend to start a task and then stop working on it when the going gets tough. It is human nature to want to spend time doing the easier, more interesting tasks. However remember that sometimes a significant amount of time is spent on re-immersing oneself in a resumed task. Unless you genuinely feel a break from the work will refresh your thinking on resumption, try to finish the job. Remember, progress is counting by the number of tasks you finish and not the number you start.

3. Give yourself a break from homework
If you are regularly finding yourself taking work home on evenings and weekends, then you should take a closer look at your self-management skills. The aim is to have a priority-balanced life, which includes leisure and family. Work should be left at the workplace and should not compromise time meant for your personal life.