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Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We cannot actually manage time. Time is a constant.It cannot be stopped or paused, it continues no matter what. All of us have the same amount of time, 24 hours in each day, that’s all, no more, no less.

According to Wikipedia on Answers.com – Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity.

Based on the definition above, the term, ‘time management’, is about planning and planning is about the choices we make about what to do with the time that we have. What we choose to do with those 24 hours in a day, determines how effectively we manage our time. When we make wise choices and plan our days, weeks, and beyond, we get the necessary tasks of life done, and that allows us time to do the things we really enjoy. So, it stands to reason that effectively managing time is the key to living a fulfilled, productive, relatively stress-free lifestyle.

“I’m too busy I don’t have time– to do that”. I hear this from people all the time. What I take from that comment is this – they choose not to make time for that particular activity. It may be something they don’t want to do, or that they don’t see the value in doing. We all have choices in everything we do. If something is important to you, you will find the time to do it. Finding the time actually means, scheduling time for that particular activity, and then adhering to your schedule.

The first step in developing an effective plan for your time requires that you determine the things that are most important to you, and they are your choices. The things that are important to you, these choices are your goals. If that means putting in less time at the office, living a healthy lifestyle, or spending more time with family, those are your goals, what you choose to do. Create a list of tasks that will help you achieve your goals, and schedule your tasks based on the priority of each task. Your plan will need to be modified from time to time as situations change, but that’s ok, because you have a plan, you are in control of your time, and that’s effective time management.