Efficient Time Management: The Art Of Building A Better Life

Efficient Time Management: The Art Of Building A Better Life

Time management is actually very simple. It is simply about being focused.

The Pareto Principle, also known as the “80:20 Rule”, states that 80% of unfocused efforts generate only 20% of the desired output. A positive way of viewing it is this: 80% of the desired output can be generated with only 20% of a well-managed effort. This management of effort includes efficient time management.

Some people think of time management as a list of rules that involves scheduling of appointments, setting goal, planning, listing down “to do lists”, and prioritizing.

These represent the core of time management. These are the basic skills in developing an efficient strategy on personal time management. However, these are just the basic skills and there is more to learn. Other skills that are essential to your personal growth include decision-making and critical thinking.

Having a balanced lifestyle is the reward that you will get from efficient personal time management. Sadly, many practitioners of personal time management fail to grasp this principle.

Time management is about getting results, not about being busy.

Personal time management results to improvement in six areas of anyone’s life: physical, intellectual, social, career, emotional and spiritual.

For some people, thorough planning and creating a “to do list” for essential areas do not sound practical. Personal time management need not be a daunting task. It is a very sensible and reasonable approach in solving problems big or small.

A great way of developing your skills in time management is by following several basic activities:

1) Review your goals regularly. This includes immediate or long-term goals. One effective way is to keep your list of goals always accessible to you.

2) Learn to prioritize and respect your natural time cycles. Determine which tasks are necessary in achieving your goals. Decide which activities are helping you maintain a balanced lifestyle. Do not procrastinate. Attend to necessary things immediately.

Each person has a peak time and a time when he slows down, these are the natural cycles. Do the difficult tasks when you are in your peak time.

3) Learn to say "No". Listen and learn to use this advice to family and friends.

4) Pat yourself at the back or reward yourself every time you get good results from effective time management.

5) Have a positive attitude and set yourself up for success. Be realistic in your approach in achieving your goals.

6) Have a record or journal of all your activities. This will help you get things in their proper perspectives.

These are some of the steps you may consider to become a well-rounded individual. Choose from among these strategies to determine what works for you.

As they always say, “Personal time management is the art and science of building a better life.”