February 27, 2008

Effective Time Management: Being Flexible Is Important

by Wendy Hearn

Our circumstances seldom turn out just the way we envision them when we begin to plan for our future. And although we often need to stick to our original plans when circumstances become difficult, we also need to be willing to make changes in the way we live and the way we manage our time.

Since time is a limited commodity, we need to consider the most important way to use it. Work, family, and recreational activities can lay claim to the entire day, so it's critical that we spend it doing what brings the greatest return in the time we've invested.

The way you manage your time should be centered around the things that take priority in your life. Take some time to examine your goals. Make a list. Then determine what steps you need to take towards meeting those goals. Simple short term goals like mowing the lawn each week require persistence but not a lot of planning. More serious goals may require more attention to detailed steps in order to reach the end result, such as choosing a college, or starting your own business.

After creating a step by step approach to achieving your goals, you'll begin to be aware of the time you'll need to allow for each step. You'll be able to manage your time more advantageously. Be aware, however, that since nothing in life is ever certain, you may need to make adjustments to your priorities. Choosing ahead of time that you need to be flexible, will make it easier to make any necessary transitions.

Note how much time you are involved in each activity or endeavor. Are you seeing results? If you find that your priorities have changed or that you are not realizing your objectives, you need to be open to restructuring your schedule. As you continue to monitor the time you spend at each of your daily activities, and the success of your goals in life you'll become more experienced at effectively managing your time.

Make it a habit to continually, and honestly, assess your plans. If you are willing to make changes in how you manage your time, you will see ongoing improvement in this important time management skill.

A well planned schedule, offering a consistent routine is crucial for efficient time management. Try to be consistent, but also expect changes. Each day can present different challenges, and those challenges can progress as the day passes. The schedule that worked perfectly for the day before may not the best approach for today. Throughout your day, take time to re-evaluate. Be flexible, and be ready to make the most of a canceled appointment, or having to travel additional miles to a new office location.

The most efficient time management comes only when you are flexible and confident enough to evaluate your circumstances, recognize when you are wasting your time, learn to spot new opportunities, and make the changes that are needed for improvement.

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