Time Management [Archives:2002/34/Business & Economy]
The Road Ahead
BY RAIDAN A. AL-SAQQAF
[email protected]
One of the most frequent complaints in the corporate world is the lack of time. Although everyone has got the same number of the daily working hours. Some people get the work done while others dont. What is the difference between the two groups of people?
The answer to this question lies in two words: Time Awareness. This means being aware of every minute in the day and how it should be spent. As it is, the common phrase Time is money didnt come from nowhere. But, how can time be managed and Time Awareness be implemented on both personal and organizational levels?
To start with, aims and objectives should be set forth for the day, for the month or even the whole year; this is called benchmarking. Then take a minute to jot down the tasks that have to be done and make a detailed plan about the steps to be taken in order to reach the closest benchmark.
In addition to that, tracing back the activities of the day could prove to be very helpful. Because in this way, it could be easily found out how the day went, and eliminate redundant activities which are a waste or do not add value to the day. Time Awareness as the steps of the plan materialize along with discipline to stick to the plan are the two primary factors of time management.
Applying time management systems develops a minute-by-minute awareness of the time spent. It also helps in creating new routes and mechanisms through which the tasks planned can be accomplished faster and in a better manner.
Pre-planning also helps in better utilization of time. For example, many people complain that traffic jams are an unavoidable waste of time; if times and routes where planned beforehand in a way to avoid the traffic jams, less time will be wasted. But how many people are really willing to make a 30- minute pre-planned adjustment earlier everyday in order to avoid the traffic jam? It is critical to stick to the plan if it is to work.
In conclusion, time management is all about optimum utilization of time. Everyday some time should be spent on planning how to utilize the day in the best possible way. And since time is money, it is very important to restructure activities and processes in order to improve the plan. After all this said, wouldnt you be willing to spare some time in order to make more time?
Endnote: Awareness of time and discipline in planning actions is a sure way to ensure better time utilization.
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