Managing Your Time

Time is your most valuable possession. Use your time effectively. What's the work? record... Plan the work! prioritize and schedule... Work the plan! do it...

1. RECORD. If we do not make a record, we will not know what we need to do. Why? Our memory fills up. We forget. It slips our mind. So write it down!


2. PRIORITIZE. Imagine, you are mowing the lawn and it needs it. It is important. Then the telephone rings. That is urgent. When you answer it, you find out that the call is not important, but you chat for an hour.
   

Now what? You do not have enough time now to mow the lawn and the sun is going down. What was urgent overruled a more important matter.

Remember, urgent is calling for an immediate action or attention. Important is necessary, of great value, having significance.

Remember to Prioritize

• Spend time on important things before they become urgent.
• Do not be ruled by urgency. Never avoid important work because of merely urgent tasks.
• Do important things early. Waiting until they are urgent just increases your stress level.
• Right after school, check what you have for homework.
• Number your tasks (1,2,3) in order of importance. Complete them in that order.
  


3. SCHEDULE. All right, you have written the tasks down. You know what is important. Now what? Estimate how long it will take to complete each task. Then plan when you will do it. This way, you will always know when you have work and when you have time for other things you enjoy.
   
   Scheduling Tips:
   • Set up a schedule for yourself. It is much easier to motivate yourself to work and complete tasks when it is a habit.
   • Pick a time that works for you. Example: many runners prefer to run in the morning, while others prefer running in the evening. Choose what works for you.
   • When you have few chores or tasks, work ahead or prepare for upcoming bills and other work.
   • Spend more time on things that require improvement.
   • LONG-TERM PLANNING
     Big projects, like painting a room or moving, can seem threatening. They are large, difficult and they take a lot of work. Make it easier on yourself by breaking them up into smaller, more manageable steps. Then just do each step one at a time. Pretty soon, you will have finished the whole project.
     
     • Find out exactly what is expected.
     • Research, if needed (find out where you can get information).
     • Organize your project into smaller units and plan when you will do each.
     • Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
     • Seek help or a second opinion if you feel that you are offtrack.
       
   
   Make the Agenda Your Own:
   
   • Write down events that you need to remind yourself of, like birthdays, parties, trips, sporting events, club meetings and so on.
   • Include family-related activities.
   • Check ahead in your agenda for upcoming events. That way you avoid "double-booking" two events at once.
   • Plan for fitness and HEALTHY LIVING each month/week/day, right in your agenda.
     
   
   
4. DO IT!
   Avoiding Procrastination:
   
   • Just start! Once you get going, it is much easier to continue.
   • Find motivators or muses. Example: listening to music while you work.
     
   • Reward yourself with a treat (healthy snack, television, movie) for working on a project.
   • Work with others. Encourage them and let them encourage you.
   • Think about your goals. Where does this task fit in?
     


5. CHECK AND REVIEW.
   
Check if you missed anything:

• Check off all finished tasks.
• Transfer unfinished tasks to a future date.
  

FranklinCovey