Time Management
Time Management is the first lesson of our syllabus to be covered. In the beginning of the lecture, an activity was carried out to understand a simple logic.
In the given image a container is showed. Here we are supposed to put all the big pebbles as well as the small ones and finally water. According to what students suggested, big pebbles were added first, then the small pebbles and finally water.
The capacity have to be properly managed. If big pebbles are added first, the small ones will fit in through the small spaces in midst of the big pebbles and if even a smaller substances like sand is added, they will fit into the smaller spaces in between the pebbles. Finally water will also have space in midst of all the above mentioned substances to fit in.
Therefore to utilize the given space properly one have to start with bigger substance and go to smaller ones.
The image above shows the next activity which was performed by the students on how they manage the time for main activities during one week. Above figures are related to the authors activities she perform during a day. The author utilizes only 117 hours a week out of total 168 (70%), which means she've got 51 remaining hours for study.
The lecturer next asked us to fill in the grid below where we are asked to list the normal set of activities we perform during a week and put them in relevant cages. The activities which fall under Urgent + Important cage are 1st priority list activities. They have to be done anyway to lead a good lifestyle. Next cage is where Urgent + Not Important activities are listed. These are the 2nd priority list activities which are not so important to perform but if they aren't performed on time, then they will turn out to be important activities. Next is the 3rd priority list activities which are Not Urgent + Important. These activities can be performed when ever you want to but it is crucial that you perform them when ever you get time. Finally, the 4th priority list activities are Not Urgent + Not Important activities. If one is busy with some work, they can simply activities which fall under this category.
Time Management is an important factor to be considered in everyone's life. Cottrell (2008), in her book speaks about importance of organizing your time. Following are few factors according to Cottrell (2008), on how to manage time.
- "Be aware of your own time management"
- "Be aware of how much time it takes you to complete each type of study task"
- "Be aware that many aspects of study take much longer than expected"
- "Schedule time for unseen events"
- "Schedule time for relaxation and leisure"
- Be very specific in your time planning"
(Cottrell, 2008)
Are you a Slob, Doer, Perfectionist or a Time Manager?
- Slob- A person who is not focused at the task given or even the organization. These type of people are a cost to organizations as well as the society. Clark (2001) 's definition for slob is "Always in disarray and does not focus on task".
- Doer- A person who is highly focused on the task he/she is assigned to but is low in organization. "Focuses on task, but cannot get it accomplished because things are in disarray" (Clark, 2001)
- Perfectionist- A person who is highly capable in organization the task but the task focus is at its lowest. They make sure that the factors which help in performing the task are organized properly. Perfectionist as said by Clark (2001) is "Spends too much time arranging, but does not focus on the task"
- Time Manager- This type of people sought by business organizations the most since they are the ones that have high focus on the task provided as well as the organization. However, these type of people are very scarce in the market. "Focuses on the task on hand and is organized enough to get it accomplished" is Clark (2001)'s definition for Time Manager.
By considering the above the author considers himself more of a doer. She definitely wants to accomplish the task given by some means, however she is not very particular about how to accomplish this task and organize her resources.
References
Clark, 2001. Leadership. [Online] Available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/50864338/70/Organization-and-Task-Focus
Cottrell, 2008. The Study Skills Handbook. 3rd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
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