Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapman
Time Management
Michael Rupured
INSIDE:
Use Planning
Tools
Get
Organized 10 strategies for better
Schedule
Delegate
Stop
time management
Procrastinating
Manage
External Time
Wasters
Avoid Multi-
tasking
Stay Healthy
PAGE 2
Ten Strategies
For Better
Time Management
The term Time Management wisely, and budgeted. • Feel better about
is a misnomer. You cannot People who practice good themselves (Dodd and
manage time; you manage time management Sundheim, 2005).
the events in your life in techniques often find that
relation to time. You may they: Finding a time management
often wish for more time • Are more productive, strategy that works best for
but you only get 24 hours, • Have more energy for you depends on your
1,440 minutes or 86,400 things they need to personality, ability to self-
seconds each day. How you accomplish, motivate and level of self-
use that time depends on discipline. By
• Feel less stressed, incorporating some, or all
skills learned through self-
analysis, planning, • Are able to do the of the ten strategies below,
evaluation, and self-control. things they want, you can more effectively
• Get more things done, manage your time.
Much like money, time is • Relate more positively
both valuable and limited: to others, and
it must be protected, used
TIME MANAGEMENT
PAGE 3
2. Set Priorities
One of the easiest ways to medium and low, number
prioritize is to make a “to them in order, or use a
do” list. Whether you need color coding system. Keep
a daily, weekly or monthly in mind that your goal is
Managing your time that are both urgent and list depends on your not to mark off the most
effectively requires a important must be done, lifestyle. Just be careful not items; rather you want to
distinction between what is Covey et.al. suggests that to allow the list-making to mark off the highest
important and what is we spend less time on get out of control and do priority items (MacKenzie,
urgent (MacKenzie, 1990). activities that are not not keep multiple lists at 1990). Having a prioritized
Experts agree that the most important (regardless of the same time. Rank the “to do” list allows you to
important tasks usually their urgency) in order to items on your “to do” list say “no” to activities that
aren’t the most urgent gain time to focus on in order of priority (both may be interesting or
tasks. However, we tend to activities that are not important and urgent). You provide a sense of
let the urgent dominate our urgent but important. may choose to group items achievement but do not fit
lives. Covey, Merrill, and Focusing on these in categories such as high, your basic priorities.
Merrill (1994) categorize important activities allows
our activities into four you to gain greater control
quadrants in their Time over your time and
Management Matrix: possibly reduce the number
urgent, not urgent, of important tasks that do
important and not become urgent.
important. While activities
Implement a system
4. Get Organized
that allows you to Most people find that A frequently used method is to Basically you have 5 options
disorganization results in poor set up three boxes (or corners for handling information:
handle information time management. Professional of a room) labeled “Keep” –
only once. organizers recommend that you “Give Away” – “Toss.”
first get rid of the clutter. Separate the clutter by sorting 1. Throw it away, delete it, or
items into these boxes. otherwise get rid of it.
Immediately discard items in 2. Delegate it: give it to
your “Toss” box. Your “Give someone else to do, file, or
Away” box may include items respond.
you want to sell, delegate, or 3. Act on it yourself. Then
discontinue so find a method
throw it away or file it.
to eliminate these items such
as a yard sale, charitable 4. File it temporarily until it
donation, or gifts to friends or needs action or until
family members outside your additional information is
home. received. Follow-up: a
“tickler” file can be useful
With the clutter gone, the next for holding temporary
step is to implement a system information.
that allows you to handle 5. File it permanently where
information (e.g., tasks, you can easily find it later.
papers, e-mail, etc.) less, only
once, when possible. (Dodd and Sundheim, 2005).
TIME MANAGEMENT
PAGE 5
7. Stop Procrastinating
You may be putting off tasks for
a variety of reasons. Perhaps the
task seems overwhelming or
unpleasant. Try breaking down
the task into smaller segments
that require less time
commitment and result in
specific, realistic deadlines. If
you’re having trouble getting
started, you may need to
complete a preparatory task
such as collecting materials or
organizing your notes. Also, try Perhaps the
building in a reward system as task seems
you complete each small overwhelming
segment of the task. or unpleasant.
PAGE 6
• Set aside a specific time to view and respond to your mail and e-mail, but don’t let it
accumulate to the point that it becomes overwhelming to sort.
• Turn off instant messaging features on e-mail.
• Handle each item only once, if possible. Practice the options for dealing with clutter listed earlier.
• Sort mail near a garbage can and delete junk e-mail immediately from your electronic mailbox.
• Answer written messages by responding on the margins or bottom of the page.
• Establish a master calendar for each family member to post their time commitments.
• Make each family member responsible for consulting the master calendar for potential
conflicts.
• Create a central area for posting communications such as appointment reminders,
announcements, and messages.
TIME MANAGEMENT
PAGE 7
Reviewers:
Sharon Gibson, Joan Mason & Rachel West,
University of Georgia
Bobbie Shaffett, Mississippi State University
Dena Wise, University of Tennessee
Joan Gibson, The Catholic University of America
Sources: Designer:
Beckwith, S. (2006, July). Unleash Your PDA’s Power. Black Enterprise, Ashley Bagwell
36(12), 66.
Covey, S. R., Merrill, A. R., & Merrill, R. R. (1994). First Things First: To
Live, to Love, to Learn, to Leave a Legacy. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Dodd, P., & Sundheim, D. (2005). The 25 Best Time Management Tools and The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S.
Techniques: How to Get More Done Without Driving Yourself Crazy. Ann Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating.
Arbor, MI: Peak Performance Press, Inc. Cooperative Extension, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, offers educational programs, assistance and
materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age,
Lakein, A. (1973). How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life. New
gender or disability.
York: New America Library.
MacKenzie, A. (1990). The Time Trap (3rd ed.). New York: American An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action
Management Association. Organization Committed to a Diverse Work Force
Regardless of the time management strategies you use, you should take time to evaluate how they have worked for
you. Ask yourself a few simple questions: Do you have a healthy balance between work and home life? Are you
accomplishing the tasks that are most important in your life? Are you investing enough time in your own personal
wellbeing? If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, then reconsider your time management strategies and
select ones that work better for you. Remember that successful time management today can result in greater
personal happiness, greater accomplishments at home and at work, increased productivity, and a more satisfying
future.
For more information about time management and other related topics, contact
your local county extension office at 1-800-ASKUGA1.