Introduction
Time management is a common problem that befalls many people both at the workplace and in learning institutions. We normally find ourselves unable to meet deadlines in our day-to-day activities more often than we expect. Those mostly caught in the practical time management ethics are students and employees. Students; for instance, are caught in the situation because of busy academic schedules coupled with a number of extra-curricular activities. It is at this stage that most people discover their unique identities besides influence and peer pressure. Employed people on the other hand are faced with the hurdle of meeting targets set by managers in organizations they work for. As a result, there is a need of mastering time management techniques as a lasting solution to time wastage. Workers and business owners are also caught in the time management quagmire; therefore, this essay develops three strategies of time management that can help in curbing time wastage.
Taking Control of One’s Space
Managing time is one of the basic skills needed; though, it is always hard to implement strategies geared at managing time. The first-time management strategy is taking control of one’s space. Most people always argue that company disorganization is to blame for time wastage. One such myth as noted by Mancini, (p. 7) is that “Maybe I can organize myself but my company can never get organized. However, the author is quick to dismiss the claim by asserting that a lot can be done within a given work environment to increase output, (Mancini, p. 7). It is very easy to get skeptical about daily routines witnessed at the workplace and in academic pursuit. For effective time management to be achieved, the level of disorganization has to be kept at the lowest level in both workplace and learning environments.
Most people find it hard to take control of their situations because of fear of failure, fear of making conditions worse, or the notion that it is impossible to change an ideal working condition. But contrary to these beliefs, it has been established that performance can be significantly improved by taking control of the working environment. A daring attitude is crucial in reshaping a work environment which will, in turn, lead to a fulfilling job condition for a worker. As affirmed by Walsh, (p. 16), “Don’t try to be perfect. Confront your attitudes and fears. Weigh the consequences. Break down the big intimidation projects into small approachable tasks.” One avenue for improving conditions is by becoming a team member of the committee that handles the delegation of duties to other staff within a department. In this way, the reshaping process can be significantly enhanced leading to the overall improvement of working conditions. The second way is by making slight improvements within one’s vicinity. For instance, if there is a problem in the filing of reports that may lead to certain delays, proper filing systems can be adopted to reduce the time spent in locating such reports. Mancini, (p. 8) sums it all by saying, “It’s always possible to be an island of calm in a sea of confusion if you take control-at the very least-of your area of responsibility.”
Adoption of Time Management Strategies
It is in order to develop a time management strategy that suits personal lifestyle. This does not mean disregarding the general guidelines that apply to the majority at the workplace. The two different approaches that can be adopted in personal time management are the linear approach and multi-tasking. Linearly, one handles one task at a time whereas, in multi-tasking, one juggles a number of duties at the same time. In addition to the above-mentioned approaches, one can also be a sprinter; where an individual can work with energy and concentration at some point, and then he/she recharges when the working spirit is lost. The final approach that an individual can adopt is working steadily at an evenly distributed pace from the beginning to the end. Before choosing which style suits a person, it is advised that one adopts a style that is appropriate to one’s psychological and physiological states. It may be hard for an individual to know his/her psychological and physiological states, but the main point is for one to try and adapt to time management strategies that meet individual needs.
Institutions have their own cultural organization and attitude on time. Whereas other firms (high technology) spend more time in Research and Development (R&D) in a nonlinear platform, others have a defined structure that focuses on high work rate and efficiency. Mancini, (pp. 9-10) affirms that “Within some, a more casual and less hierarchical culture may value creativity more than efficiency. Much high-tech business depends more on research and development-on nonlinear thinking-than traditional business.” The main reason for understanding these organizational cultures and time management is for all staff to adapt to the working environment and style up. To effectively manage time in such a system, an individual should pay attention to time concepts as dictated by a region, city, or country. In addition, being sensitive to personal time management concepts is of great significance.
Laying Priority in Writing
This time management strategy also known as ABC is really important in personal time management. The basics of this technique are to write down duties in relation to their agency and importance. Dodd and Sundheim (p. 3), affirm that “capturing your thoughts on paper (or electronically) frees up your creative energy. You don’t have to worry about forgetting anything.” After the writing process, the cards can be rearranged in a way that will ensure all duties are taken into consideration and appropriate time allocated. ABC strategy of time management has three main merits. To begin with, it becomes easy to move from one duty to the other depending on the amount of input and concentration needed. In addition to this, the system makes prioritization easy; especially in an organization with many staffs. This is due to the fact that assigning duties and manipulation of tasks are flexible enough. Lastly, the system tells what task is ahead upon completion of one duty. As a result, there is no time wastage in moving from one duty to the other. Alan Lakein as quoted by Mancini, (p. 14) summarizes that “Time is life. It is irreversible and irreplaceable. To waste your time is to waste your life, but to master your time is to master your life and make the most of it.”
Conclusion
Time management is important to every individual and the earlier the discipline is instilled the easier the practice becomes. Students need to manage their time well to cope up with the diversity of social life in colleges and classwork. Once the discipline is adopted at the college level, upon employment where the challenge of time management takes center stage, an individual will fit in well. Therefore, time management is a challenge that everybody needs to address for a successful career.
Works Cited
Dodd, Pamela & Sundheim, Doug. The 25 Best Time Management Tools & Techniques: How to Get More Done Without Driving Yourself Crazy. Orlando, FL: Peak Performance Press. 2005. Print.
Mancini, Marc. “Time management: 24 Techniques to Make Each Minute Count at work.” McGraw-Hill Professional Education Safari Books Online. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Professional. 2007. Print.
Walsh, Richard. Time Management: Proven Techniques for Making Every Minute Count. 2nd edn. Avon, MA: Adams Media. 2008. Print.