Time management plays a big role in the life of someone who wants to be successful. Oftentimes, it seems like we do not have enough time to get things done, but the fact is that you'd have to manage your time well if you want to be more productive. It is not possible to stop time and it cannot be saved, either. Time is your greatest asset and what you do with your time determines the kind of result you will get.
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Just the way you think, and plan before you spend money, it is also applicable to time. It is important to manage your time well by doing the right thing at the right time. The daily habit of dedicating some moment in the day, especially in the morning to think about how you want to spend your time, is a sign that you will be at the top of your game more than your peers who do not have a set plan.
The way you spend your time determines the type of results you'd get. Making good decisions have to do with improving the way you use your time and not necessarily doing a lot of things. We can compare time and money because they share some common features. We may have a better understanding of time management if we use money as a comparison. We are taught how to invest money, set a budget, track our expenses, and also spend on important things and not things we do not need. This is also applicable to time. It is important to invest your time in something productive and this can be achieved by setting a plan or schedule for the day. Furthermore, at the end of each day, you'd take some moment to review how you were able to spend your time.
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In a bid to manage your time to the fullest, you may start to (consciously) take note of how you actually spend your time. This must include the overall usage of your time which includes work, sleep, social media, food, hangouts etc. This can be done over a period of time which you'd then review. Ask yourself where and what were you doing at a particular time and is it the right place to be or the right thing to be doing? By scrutizing how you spend your time, it will be easy to spot those things that are taking your time.
Would you spend money without planning what you want to spend it on? The answer should be NO, I guess! In the same way, you need to plan your time by highlighting everything you need to get done for the day. Planning is essential in every aspect of life. It is a guide that would give you a sense of direction throughout the day and ensure that you do not leave any stone unturned. Usually, don't forget to put the most important things first in your plan. Video games or a sit out with your friends can wait till later in the day while preparing for your presentation in the office should come first.
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More importantly, do things deliberately and intentionally. What does this mean? Learn how to pause and think about an activity before starting it. Is playing candy crush more important than cooking dinner at the moment? Or is it right for me to do my laundry now or I do it when I'm back from the party? You'd be more productive when you make deliberate decisions during the course of your day - this helps you to take full responsibility for your actions and not blaming others when you fail.
It can take a lot of effort to change, adjust, manage and spend your time but with practice it will become a part of your daily life.