Time Management – If you don’t have stress in your studies , you don’t study – it probably feels like this or something like that to you. The bachelor’s thesis must finally be started, the colleague from the pub asks you with a sad, calculating doggy look if you can take over her shift on Sunday because she wants to go to the Hurricane Festival and your parents accuse you of never doing anything Have time for her. Unfortunately, they are also right about that, and 100 percent at that. A real debacle, isn’t it? Whoever brought up the mantra of every New York stockbroker, “Time is money“, apparently knew why. But are we really so at the mercy of our lack of time? In this article, we’ll show you how to get a better grip on your time management.
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First Things First: What Is Time Management?
As clear as the matter is – we like to mention it again at this point: If one thing is really fairly distributed in this world, then that is time. Because everyone has 24 hours to do what they really want to do. Time management is about using the available time effectively. The point is not to work harder, but more efficiently, using different techniques that make the most of your time potential. The natural side effect is that you not only get more done, but also have more time to spare.
What Is The Point Of Good Time Management?
And this leads us directly to the next point: Those who practice good self management no longer have the feeling that they are being chased by time pressure. On the contrary – you are relaxed and still highly productive. You do your chores with a calm that even yoga followers should admire. A desk that looks like you’re making a good case for one of those bad messie reality TV consultants? Not with you. At least not anymore!
Those who manage their time well can use the time they save ideally for other things – especially those that are fun. Would you like to celebrate with the clique again? Just relax and jog through the park at lunchtime and then treat yourself to one of these tempting massage offers? Allow yourself a quiet evening in front of the binge watch series of your choice without literally having a list of unfinished business on your neck? The right time management makes it possible.
These Self-Management Techniques Save Your Time!
But, as is well known, nothing comes from nothing – before you can be accepted into the circle of sublime grinning time managers, you should first know which time management techniques are available and which are best suited for you and your personal situation. At this point we have put together what we believe to be the most effective methods:
The 72-Hour Rule
The name says it all: what you can get today, don’t postpone it until tomorrow. and thats the way it is. Because if you postpone tasks and projects by more than three days, you run the risk of not doing them at all. The basis of this system is of course the planning. Write down exactly what you have to do and do it within 72 hours. Come what may.
Set goals – But Do It Right!
Do you have a chaos of tasks in your head and you don’t quite know how to start? As already indicated, the goal is first – what do you want to have achieved by when? Which stages are necessary for this? During your studies, for example, it is very helpful to create a learning plan.
So you can see exactly what needs to be learned and in what time frame you should have done it. Regardless of your studies, your private goals can also benefit from the right time management methods: Do you really want to have more stamina in sports or eat healthier? With the optimal goal setting, this also becomes a lot easier!
The “SMART” Method
The so-called “SMART” method has a lot to do with optimal goal setting. The fulfillment of your goals should include the following features:
Specific
Imagine a ship on the high seas. If the captain says ‘Somewhere in the Mediterranean’ instead of ‘Spain’, for example, he’ll probably miss the mark, won’t he? And it is the same in studies. So state your goals precisely, for example as follows: “Have finished bachelor thesis chapter one on August 10th” instead of “Finish bachelor thesis sometime in August”.
Measurable
Often you can also measure your goal achievement progress. Would you like to read ten pages a day from books on your literature list? Can the 100 meters in less than 8 seconds? It is best to record your progress in writing – and of course the achievement of your goal.
Attractive
Reaching your goal should be fun – plan this so that you look forward to your task. A small (!) Reward after each major stage can be quite useful (for example a hot bath, having your favorite food delivered, etc.)
Realistic
Nobody was born a master. So make sure your goals are realistic. Do you expect to read 1000 pages in two hours or, as an untrained person, run a marathon right away? Unrealistic goals only create disappointment. Set yourself goals that challenge you, but can also be implemented in reality.
On schedule
Also set deadline goals for yourself – i.e. a deadline that you stick to. This is extremely important for your schedule!
Prioritize like the Pros
Do you have the feeling that everything is equally important? It is definitely not like that. Determine which tasks are most important by dividing them into the fields “extremely important, important, less important, unimportant”. Of course, dedicate yourself to the tasks that are most relevant first, and then work your way down to the other tasks.
The Pareto Principle
The Pareto principle (often also known as the 80/20 rule) is named after its discoverer, the economist Vilfredo Pareto. The point here is that 20 percent of the activities produce 80 percent of the results. In order to implement the principle successfully, you have to find out which activities are responsible for 80 percent of the results and dedicate yourself more to them. So do more of what is effective. This method can be very useful, especially when it comes to effective learning .
The “ABC” Analysis
The “ABC” analysis is also a useful tool when it comes to freeing up space in your calendar. The A stands for tasks that are very important and that only you can do yourself, the B for things that are less important and which you can delegate in an emergency, and C for tasks that are less relevant and those in an emergency can also bundle them (for example, make calls, answer e-mails, etc.) In private life, for example, things like going to the post office, doing the laundry and so on. If you bundle these activities instead of doing them each time, you will save a ton of time.
Monotasking
Are you really proud of yourself because you can Whatsappen at the same time while reading “War and Peace” and cooking your lunch on the side? Not always the best idea, because multitasking is an emergency program of our organism, which often leads to inaccurate work results. Take care of one task after the other, turn off all possible distractions and at least isolate yourself completely while you are working. Bet you won’t have to make umpteen corrections in the end?
The “Pomodoro” Method
The Pomodoro technique is not about a new, delicious tomato sauce from Bella Italia, but about effective time management. The inventor of the method created a kitchen alarm clock in the shape of a tomato to set time blocks of 25 minutes. During this period he worked without a break, and then allowed himself a five minute break. Then he sat down again to work with high concentration for another 25 minutes. The result? He was able to manage his power of concentration a lot better and achieved a lot more than if he had worked in one piece. Learning effectively can be so easy!
Conclusion: Don’t Work Hard – Work Smart!
The right time management not only ensures that you can achieve a lot more in the same amount of time, but also that you can go about your tasks much more calmly and calmly. The time you save can be wonderfully invested in private activities such as sports, meeting family or friends to recharge your batteries. With the optimal self-management strategy, you can simply make the most of the 24 hours that are available to you every day. Just choose the time management technique that suits YOU best!
