You have to give some to get some. The old adage is usually applied to money but it is also true of time.
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I remember when I was very young, time seemed endless. Maybe it was waiting for a big holiday, birthday, or the thought of when I would be old enough to drive and have more independence. The older I have become, the faster time seems to fly by. A day doesn’t drag on forever and a week moves by quickly it seems. Regardless where you are at in how the passage of time feels to you, for the majority of our lives, time is something we always need.
This is why time has such a huge value. How we spend our time is important because we can’t get back yesterday let alone the last 30 minutes. So being wise with our time or how we manage our time becomes a valuable skill to hone in on.
We are always pressed for time or seem to owe time to others from our bosses to our families. Time is such a valuable commodity so we need to make sure that we use it carefully. Careful use of our time means one thing — time management.
The sad truth is that most of us who are really in need of time management rarely utilize it. However, spending time on this simple four-step plan named “TIME” can really make a difference in your day, your life, and your time!
T is For Taking Time To Plan
Every minute spent on planning and organizing will save at least that amount of time when you implement your plan. Shopping trips taken without a list often result in wasted time, errands run without prior planning often mean wasted time, and tasks not properly organized often mean wasted time. We all know this is true and yet we still rush forward in our haste to get something done. Take time to plan and you will be more efficient.
I Is For Involving Others
Whether at work or at home, involving others is crucial. By involving others in your planning and prioritizing, they can help you attend to the essentials and share the work. Others may have good ideas (possibly even better ideas….2 heads are better than 1) to help you achieve your goals and others may well spark even more ideas from you. Sometimes, simply talking things over with a sympathetic audience can help you think more clearly. Don’t forget to give others a share in the work as well as the planning.
M Is For Meditation
No matter how busy your life or hectic your schedule is, you must take time to reflect on your goals and dreams. Taking a few moments to clear your mind, focus your energy, and rebuild your strength can revitalize you and help you accomplish more when you swing back into action.
Allowing yourself this down time may well give you the opportunity to prioritize and brainstorm so you can be even more productive than before. Even if you don’t have brainstorms from taking this time out, it will definitely give you an energy boost. If sitting and meditating isn’t your style, how about a walking meditation time? Go for a walk and let your mind relax, open up some space in your mind and just focus on your breathing while you walk. Don’t underestimate the power of getting out in nature and just walking around while your mind takes a break.
E Is For Evaluation
It is important for you to regularly evaluate your priorities and goals. Perhaps you have accomplished tasks that can now be permanently crossed off your list or can be set aside until a later date. Perhaps you have achieved certain goals resulting in a change of other priorities. Perhaps you simply have learned something along the way that caused a number of shifts in your priorities and goals.
Evaluation can also give you a sense of accomplishment if you look back on what you have achieved and the goals you have reached.
The simple truth is that time management saves you tim and stress. It is important to master managing stress in your life. When we feel less stressed, everything improves includeing our mood, immune system, health, relationships and work performance. Even if taking TIME for time management can seem wasteful, it is actually a process that pays for itself time and again. Time management may cost you time for planning and organization but in the end it helps you gain time through efficiency and prioritization.
If you are looking for ways to manage your stress and feel less overwhelm, you will want to ready my blog post below.
