Tips to Help Manage Time More Effectively - Part 3

Watch out for potential time-wasters : 

Lack of selfdiscipline, idling, daydreaming, procrastinating (putting off or postponing unpleasant or difficult tasks), focusing on trivia, aimless channel surfing or browsing the Net are some of the most notorious time wasters to avoid. They surreptitiously whittle away at time without you even realising it. 

Prioritise your interests : 

There are just that many hours in a day. Its better to concentrate on a few select interests and hone them to perfection instead of trying to dabble in a large number of activities that leave you exhausted and unsatisfied. 

Seek help : 

Despite all the planning and determination, you may, at times, find that you are unable to stick to your schedule. At such times, seek help from someone close to you. Discuss your goals and enlist their help in helping you stick to your schedule. 

Time management is a 'skill' and, an 'art' that we can develop through careful practice. And the sooner we start the better. 

Remember you have the same 24 hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Mother Teresa, Louis Pasteur, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci or Albert Einstein. It's how you use it that makes the difference. 

Concluded

Tips to Help Manage Time More Effectively - Part 2

The early bird gets the worm: 

An early start saves a lot of time. If possible, begin and complete your assignments and projects well in time to avoid undue tension. Don't wait till the very last moment to get cracking. Make ‘Defeat the Deadline’ your motto. 

Table your intent: 

Start by preparing a timetable. To draw up a schedule that will work for you, factor in your preferred style of study ie your ‘prime time’ (you will find that you function at your peak at a particular time, this is the best time to handle ‘tough’ tasks). Similarly, make a note of your average attention span. Only you know which learning method works best for you. Then, match your style with the course requirements. Each study period must cover one learning objective. Ideally, it should not exceed beyond 90 minutes. Although individual attention spans can vary somewhat, research on learning patterns shows that the speed and effectiveness of learning changes with time. After about 25 minutes, the attention curve begins to dip.Teachers are aware of this and attempt to restart the curve every 20 minutes or so by introducing a new activity like asking a question or cracking a joke to liven things up and change the pace. 

Create a learning environment: 

An environment conducive to learning is useful. If you think you can sit or curl up anywhere and learn, you may be wrong. The most comfortable environment does not necessarily promote learning. The best environment is one where you feel motivated, alert and reasonably comfortable to study. 

Jot it down: 

How often do we find ourselves mumbling, "If only I could remember…" The simple solution to this problem is to always carry a pencil and paper with you. The moment you get a unique idea or you hear something noteworthy — just scribble it down, and file it where it is easily accessible. This is an absolute time saver! 

To Be Continued ....

Tips for Being on Time !

No matter how smart and otherwise skillful they are, thousands of people have huge problems when it comes to keeping track of time. Here are a few of the steps on the path to punctuality.

When your friends invite you to dinner, do they always tell you to show up at 6, just so there's a smidgen of a chance you might make it there by the actual meeting time of 8?

If you're habitually late, you've probably missed plenty of lunch dates, meetings, and more if you even managed to show up for your own wedding, you can count yourself among the lucky ones. No matter how smart and otherwise skillful they are, thousands of people have huge problems when it comes to keeping track of time. 

Learn the meaning of on time. As in, seated, and ready for business not pulling into the parking garage.

Don't let other commitments run long. If you've got a meeting scheduled at 2 o'clock, make sure the people you're talking to know it. That way, you can get out without drama, making sure that you've arrived in time for your scheduled event.

Don't get sucked into responding to emails when you've got someplace to go. Sure, it seems like it'll just take a minute to dash off a response but then you realize you didn't quite get your point across yet, and by the time you've finished your explanation, you're half an hour late for a dinner reservation. Resist the temptation to open your inbox everything will still be there when you get home.

Use the alarm function on your computer calendar. It's easy to idle away hours online without glancing at the clock so make sure you get to all your appointments by setting an alarm on your computer to let you know when it's time to get going.

Source : Kathryn Hawkins.