Time is one of the earthly treasures that are irrecoverable after they have been spent. Time is so important that it determines what happens and how it happens. The fact that each day has twenty-four (24) hours each irrespective of the quantity of activates we propose to achieve makes time management a topical issue.
Time wasters are those activities you engage in that will add no value to your personal goals or to collective values of organizations you belong to.Time wastage could be caused by oneself or from external factors. Identifying them and dealing with them will give you a good hold of your time.
Effective time management requires that you will understand that you have a right to your time just as your neighbor and you are to be held responsible for your success or failures in life.
Identifying Time Wasters
1. Time wasting activities add little or no value to you, your organization or to your primary goals in life.
2. Time wasting friends or individuals have no respect for your time, convenience or outline of activities.
3. Neglecting time wasters will not reduce your importance or relevance.
Examples of Time Wasters
Below are few examples of time wasters. There are times that these instances do not intend to waste your time but they subsequently do waste your time in the long run. This is why you must be in control of your time.
- Unexpected visitors
- Less important emails and phone calls
- Interruptions
- Internet
- Self indulgence
Tips on Effective Time Management
1. Define your life’sor organization’sgoals. The compass that should direct the way you spend your time if you desire a productive life is your life’s goals. Identify the things you want in life and how you can achieve them. Anything that does not add value to the achievement of this goal is most likely a waster.
2. Prioritize your goals. Your life’s goals should have an order of importance. This means that they would vary with respect to what time you accord them and how you attend to them. However, there are times when the demands for your goals clashes, your defined priority will help you determine which to commit your time.
3. Practice effectiveness with efficiency in mind. Effectiveness requires that you carry out a project in the best way possible; produce the best result possible. On the other hand, efficiency is the ability to do something without wasting materials, time or energy. As much as you are expected to produce the best result, you should also aim at producing the best results within the shortest time possible.
4. Kindly say “NO” to human time wasters. Human time wasters like unexpected visitor, unwarranted phone calls can be kindly redirected to your spare time. Tell the caller to call back at a given time. Let the visitor know you are busy at the time and you would appreciate if he or she informs you before coming. This however must be done politely to avoid you destroying good relationships.
5. Have time for leisure. You deserve some rest and fun time after a good-job done. Have a defined time for leisure and rest in your agenda. This will help you attend to trivial issues that matter in their little way such as visiting a relative or friend or neighbor, responding to a mail or hanging out with friends and family.
6. Do no indulge yourself. Be disciplined enough to know when to get off those things that are addictive and less productive such as the internet. Have control over your cravings and pleasure side of life.