Time is not just a resource, it is the framework on which one’s success and failure is built. The ability to understand and utilize time effectively decides your level of success and failure. A lot has been said about time and different ways of managing it. There are innumerable theories and concepts that try to explain and define time management.
Some of the most practical and relevant concepts of time management are really not about time management at all. They are all about managing one’s emotions and activities to make the best use of available time. Time is given equally to all; you can neither stretch it nor shrink it; you can neither make it nor break it; hence there is no concept of managing time. What really needs to be managed is our ability to act in a systematic manner to accomplish a particular task within time.
To quote from Brian Tracy’s book ‘Eat That Frog’ some of the important concepts of time management:
“If you have two frogs, eat the ugliest one first. Start with the biggest, hardest and most important task first. Begin immediately and continue.”
“If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn’t pay to sit and look at it for very long. Develop the lifelong habit of tackling your major task the first thing each morning.”
Here are some of the tips from the book to avoid procrastinating and achieving your goals.
Decide exactly what you want
Write it down
Set a deadline on your goal
Make a list of everything you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize the list into a plan
Take action on your plan immediately
Resolve to do something every single day that moves you toward your major goal
In essence, time management is not about time at all. Time management is simply another term for personal management. How you manage your desires and emotions; how you manage your actions and activities; how you manage your dreams and desires is what time management all about.
The more disciplined and focused you are in accomplishing your tasks, the more time you will have to accomplish them. Your ability to decide on something and stick with it till it is completed is what time management all about. Time gets managed by itself as long as you are accomplishing your tasks.
There is no excuse for lack of focus. No amount of time management skills will help if you have not learnt the art of focusing. Again, the more focused you are, the more time you have to complete what you have set out to do. Instead of worrying about time and how to manage it, if you can learn to manage yourself, you will be in a better position to complete your tasks and accomplish your goals.