Time Management

- by the editors -

Productivity and success can be achieved using good time management. Time management (TM) can be effective for individuals, teams, and for entire organizations. But how many times have you told colleagues or friends "If I can make some time, IÕll try to get that done" or "I donÕt have time now, maybe later..."? How often have you thought to yourself "I work hard... but I never seem to accomplish everything... what gives"? If youÕve had these thoughts, then perhaps itÕs time to increase your TM skills. This month, the experts at Oak Associates show you how to gain control and be more effective in the way you use time. What is time management? Time management (TM) means choosing how to spend your time based on what is important and what you want to achieve. Many people let situations, activities, or other people decide how they use time. You will never have more of it, so it is important to learn how to make conscious decisions about using your time the way you want, to achieve your goals. What are the advantages of using TM? Applying the basic principles of TM can help you to find time for the activities that you need and want to do. You can become more effective because you can focus on the tasks that are most important. You can find ways to balance your time for all aspects of your life and identify ways to do your work more efficiently, eliminating time wasters and interruptions. There are many demands on peopleÕs time. How can someone change how they use time when they can't control demands from others? The very busy people who participate in our TM training program often ask this question. Many of them report to several bosses and have teams reporting to them. They have families, long commutes, frequent meetings, and work long hours. It is very difficult to control such a situation and effectively balance the demands of others, yet it can be done. Here are some examples of people who have gained control of their time while meeting many demands after having taken TM training. One successful time manager started by reconsidering how he views time and what is most important to him. He set out to accomplish his goals based on his role in life and his priorities. Prior to this, his life was out of control; he worked long hours, had no social life, and was often exhausted and unable to finish everything. He noticed, however, that his manager at the office was able to effectively meet the many demands placed on her as manager, wife, and mother, and he asked her the secret of her success. She responded that TM was key, inspiring him to learn the principles of TM and to start applying them. Three years later, he achieved TM success. "My life is totally different; I was surprised to find that I can accomplish more than I could before and have a more balanced life." He was able to find time for his many interests, his family, and continuing professional development. "I accomplish the most important tasks everyday," he said, and he has now gone on to experience several career promotions, pursue his interests, and he has even found time to start a family. He is happy, positive and has more energy than before. Another TM convert said, "I am a new man after this training and am gaining control of my life." Others have told us that learning how to look at time differently and taking steps to manage time more effectively made a real difference in their life. Change, of course, requires effort and commitment. What are the main features that readers should know about TM? Harried professionals may be wondering how such dramatic results can be achieved. TM starts with identifying your role(s), what is important to you and your long-term vision, and your business and personal goals. Once this has been done, you can plan and organize your time to meet these goals. Each day you prioritize tasks based on their importance to achieving your goals and focus on them. It takes work to break old habits and behaviors, but it is possible to make dramatic changes and improve results. One recent TM training participant took the course because he felt his health was at risk. Now he is looking forward to using TM and is determined to be successful. Others took the program because they needed to find ways to be more productive and efficient. Can everyone benefit from TM? Of course, but everyone benefits in different ways. Anyone can benefit from gaining control over time and planning to achieve his or her goals. You can personalize the system to work for you and use TM principles together with a variety of electronic or non-electronic planning tools. Some training participants have used TM for team projects, long- and short-term projects or assignments, generating sales and marketing contacts, daily tasks, follow-up after meetings, and to achieve personal and business goals. We all need to decide what is important to us individually, find ways to achieve our goals, and then adapt aspects of time management to fit individual needs or work styles. The greatest benefit comes in finally gaining control of time and ever-changing demands in today's fast-paced world. When you are ready to finally take control of your time, contact Oak Associates Business Training and Performance Support Division by e-mail at: training@oakassociates.co.jp.

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