Time Management and Creating Balance

Time is defined as a period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues; and management is defined as the act or art of managing.  Time management is nothing more than the art of managing an action. In other words, the management of time is management of self and setting priorities for self.  It is the conscious selection of where we will place our attention.

Reasons for Managing Time

• Time is not a renewable resource.  When it is gone, it is gone forever.
• Everyone has the same amount of time.
• The creative thought that emerges from balanced lives and from the joy of our leisure time is what makes the difference in our level of creativity and productivity.
• Take time for silence.   Silence and solitude are opportunities for thinking and for simply being.
• The best thing you can do to enhance your value at work is to take care of yourself.
• Time management provides structure to one's life and in turn, provides peace of mind.
• Time management is something one does for one's own psyche to make one's days easier.

Time Management and Creating Balance at Home

• Determine what's important to you and in what order.  Prioritise to get the important things done by putting 'first things first.'
• Set goals and strive towards a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
• Get organised and manage your time with a daily or weekly schedule.
• Recognise your limits and have realistic expectations for yourself.  You do not have to be 'super person.'
• Reward yourself.
• Keep things in perspective.  Say to yourself, 'This too shall pass.'
• Exercise and eat nutritional foods.
• Think happy, as life seems to be easier when you smile.  Use humour and find a way to laugh at the situation.
• Be honest with yourself and others.
• Say 'No' to the 'shoulds' and 'Yes' to the 'wants' in your life.

Time Management and Creating Balance at Work

• Make sure your work life is a meaningful expression of your life purpose.
• Decide to do it.  Set up a To Do list, prioritise A's, B's, and C's.  Do A's first.
• Planning: take 5 minutes at the end of the day to clean up your space and get organised for the next day's work. 
• If you have a problem, just before you go to sleep turn it over to your subconscious.  Your mind will work on it as you sleep and you will have an answer the next day.  
• Do it now.  Procrastination is a result of saying "I'll do it later."
• Do not schedule early morning appointments that will disrupt your morning routine.
• Say 'no' to every new request for your time for the next month (saying no to every request will minimise your guilt).
• Think about it before you say 'yes' or say 'I'll get back to you.'  Some of us are compulsive 'yes sayers' when we are asked to do something; taking a few minutes to think about whether we have the time, energy, or desire to perform this request requires that we have a moment to check in with ourselves.
• Give yourself a break.  People are more productive when they take a few minutes away every couple of hours.
• Don't let other people's 'hurry sickness' dictate your life.

Remember: There is no such thing as a lack of time.  There is nothing more important in your life than your time.  Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “There is more to life than merely increasing its speed.”  In other words, the fundamental question is: 'How much of my life-force energy does this cost?'