Time management is a critical skill, and also a very important one. Time management can influence the efficiency and consistency of an individual, not only in workspaces but also in other aspects of life.
So how does Time management work? It involves setting goals, prioritizing tasks, and rating the difficulty and the amount of time required for each task.
This in turn helps in allocating time appropriately and maximizing your productivity.
Time management allows you to completely focus on realistic tasks preventing distractions created by other minor tasks. It helps to understand the importance of each task and the individual can streamline their efforts and avoid unnecessary stress Further on, creating an appropriately structured schedule aids in organizing activities throughout your day.
You have to make sure to identify and put a limit on time-wasting activities, as this is a pivotal part of creating an effective management of your time, This crucial aspect brings us to the term “time blocking” Now, what is time blocking?
Under time blocking you have specific time slots which are designated for particular tasks or activities. It also enhances concentration while minimizing procrastination.
Furthermore, it prevents mental stress and burnout while promoting your mental health.
Sometimes you find yourself being pressured into performing activities that you’re generally not interested in doing. This is a result of you not being used to saying No or refusing to perform an unnecessary task. Learning to say no, a skill that is often overlooked plays an important role in safeguarding one’s time and energy.
To manage time efficiently, an appropriate technique must be used.
Try the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 rule is a technique created by an Italian economist, Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
X So how does the 80/20 rule work?
- First, List some of the problems you are facing. For example, your grades are slipping.
- Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
- Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
- Group problems together by cause: Group all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
- Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
- Take action.
It’s never too late to recognize that time management is a valuable skill that can transform an individual’s life by improving productivity, reducing stress, and enhancing performance, By mastering time management skills, individuals can achieve their goals more efficiently and lead a more fulfilling life
Jerome Thomas, II PU