The Value of Time

Tick tock....tick tock....time is always counting no matter what happens, our excuses, problems, situations etc. do not work on time, it goes on relentless, ruthless!

 

We are always short of time and time is an important commodity. We all need time to finish our important tasks but as ruthless as it is, it is always less. Even though it is critical at every stage of life , however, there are some phases in life when it matters the most and it is these times that teach us to appreciate the value of time.

Time Management is not only important but also critical for our personal and professional growth. Time Management is an activity of using our time effectively towards set objectives or goal. Here are some basic techniques of Time Management.

Creating Effective Space Around Yourself

To be able to work towards your goals, the first step is to set up organised, work conducive environment around yourself. One needs to bring order to their life before starting anything important, because chaos not only causes unnecessary delay, but also sets in disinterest towards our work.

Setting up Objectives

The next important step is to set up clear cut goals or objectives for ourselves with timelines. This serves as a constant reminder for us that keeps us motivated and also serves as a tool for self evaluation.

Prioritizing

The next step is the most important of all, one has to prioritize their tasks according to their urgency and importance. This step is also the most difficult, hence one can use the below mentioned tools for this purpose.

Pareto Analysis

Pareto Analysis uses the Pareto Principle – also known as the "80/20 Rule" – which was developed by Joseph M. Juran in 1937. It is the idea that 20 percent of causes generate 80 percent of results. With this tool, we can find the 20 percent of work that will generate 80 percent of the results that doing all of the work would deliver. 

ABC Analysis

ABC Analysis is a method of categorization of inventory, for proper material management, however it has been used in a wide variety of concepts, it can be very effectively used for Time Management.

ABC Analysis allows you to prioritize tasks into three categories :

A - Important and urgent

B - Important but not urgent

C - Not important and not urgent

POSEC

Posec stands for "Prioritize by organizing, stream-line, economizing, and contributing." To prioritize means to put first things first. The Posec method is loosely based around Maslow’s theories regarding the "Hierarchy of Needs". It gives the individual a realistic tool for setting priorities as they pertain to one's own unique needs and life goals.

 

The Eisenhower Tower

The Eisenhower Method helps you decide which action you should or shouldn't do. It aids you to divide actions into one of four categories. The quadrants are divided by importance and urgency.

Using the Eisenhower quadrant is very easy. You pick an item from your to-do list and you ask yourself these two questions.

"Is it urgent?"

"Is it important?"

You can now put the action into the correct quadrant. Below is an explanation of each quadrant.

Simple Implementation of Goals (Task Lists )

Apart from the above mentioned tools, there is another way that is very conventional, which says to go with the flow. Here one can take the help of Task lists, that can be made as per the individual's priorities.

Eliminate Non Priorities

The next step is to eliminate non priorities from our work and then proceed further.

Prepare Schedule

Based on all the above, one needs to prepare a schedule for himself that would ultimately lead to the desired objectives in the set time limit.

Time Management Software

In addition to the various tools and techniques available for Time Management, there are certain softwares that are also available.

Rescue Time

Platforms: Windows, OSX, Linux, Android

RescueTime is easy and hot favorite time tracking application. It tracks how you use your computer, from soup to nuts. It tracks what websites you use, and then breaks them into categories for more in-depth look. You can block yourself from distracting websites, and even set manual timers away from the computer.

Chormeta

Platform: Windows, OSX, Android, iOS

Chrometa is cut from the same vein as RescueTime. It automatically tracks everything you do on your computer and neatly categorizes it. Emails, what article you were reading (and how long it took to read it), etc.

Where Chrometa and RescueTime diverge, is that Chrometa also provides a way to bill clients. You can track meeting, phone usage, and even invoice clients straight from within the app.

Don't Forget

The most important is not to forget to add the two most important activities that make life worthwhile and good, to the schedule and that is to take short breaks and always leave time for fun.