Effective Time Management

     If one is like I am, then they must be able to manage their time effectively. Many people must strategically plan for every little thing that goes on within their daily lives. Since I must juggle my work, school, and home life, I am forced to manage my time effectively.  Even though I have to manage my time daily, not every day goes as planned. At that point, I must improvise and set my priorities. Almost every day, the issue of time management plus every other daily task puts a lot of stress on my life, but without it I tend to fall behind in my daily routine. Some people who do not manage their time wisely have a difficult time keeping with their daily tasks. I know I would love to just sit on the couch and watch television or play outside with my children, but sometimes that is not possible because other priorities must be completed first. I have found numerous ways of effectively managing my time, such as using a planner, using sticky notes to remind me of important deadlines, and also using online tools that help me to adequately schedule events.

     A planner is a great tool to use when setting and remembering priorities, appointments, activities, and deadlines. As a student, I use a planner to write down all homework assignments that are due on a daily and weekly basis. Online planners can be printed or saved onto a hard drive to be able to view one’s schedule at a glance. Also, a person can print handouts so everyone in the household will know what time certain events are taking place or scheduled. One can also plan a weekly schedule, a master schedule, or a four-year plan by clicking above.

     Although many people do not see time management as a crucial issue, it can help a person get more tasks accomplished each day.  Effective time management  can also alleviate stress and tiredness to help one feel better and more energized.  A great time management tip would be to evaluate how you spend your time. Keep a log for approximately a week and then review the log to see if any time can be spent more wisely.  One just must remember to strategically plan ahead for upcoming events and deadlines. If one uses these tips, I guarantee that the aspect of time management will automatically fall into place.

    Lastly, I would recommend everyone to take a time management course or seminar. I have taken several time management courses or training sessions with previous employers. Within these training sessions, I was informed of tips and skills to use for improving time management. Some seminars for time management have been held at the Holiday Inn in Joplin and MSSU may even offer a course on this subject. I do not know what I would do if I was unable to manage my time in an effective way. I feel I would have much more stress in my life and I do not feel that I could keep up with school, work, or my family.

     Overall, time management is crucial to everyone. People must be able to juggle work, school, their family, or any other situation that requires the use of time management. I highly suggest using a planner or some sort of notebook to remember all the important things that go on in one’s life. By using the “reminder system” I feel that a person would more accurately fulfill their duties and routines. I recommend everyone use some kind of strategic plan for time. As is has always been said, “Time is of the essence.”