Monday, June 9, 2014

Time Management: Key to Successful Career                            

The importance of time management would strike you at some point of your career. Time management is of great importance to your personal and professional life both. It teaches you how to manage your time effectively and make the most of it. Without effective techniques for time management in the workplace it can be difficult for employees and managers to keep on top of the tasks they need to perform. Time spent looking for things is time that could be used more productively. There are a few factors that suggest why time management is important for your career success.
1. Time is a limited resource:  There is a Chinese proverb that says ‘no amount of gold will buy you time that has passed’. Time once lost can never come back, and time management is nothing but managing the time and using this limited resource for maximum outcome. Know the importance; take steps to perfect this skill to increase your chances of career success.
2. Small steps build into big goals: To achieve career success, one important thing is to set goals. The goals need to be put on a timeline. And that timeline needs to be managed. Understand the importance of time management as your career achievement depends on these small steps across time. If you will not take good care of the seconds the minutes will waste and so the hours and days. The importance of time management is to understand that small steps across time build into big goals. And a main part of achieving goals is about time management. Think about what you want to accomplish and write it down. List the final outcome and each step needed to make it a reality. 
3. Productivity increases: With the help of time management you become more productive and can accomplish numerous tasks with less effort. Time management facilitates reduction in wasted time and effort, hence providing you with more productive time throughout the day. It further allows you to manage time for a number of activities that will bring more balance and completion to your life. For example I would like to quote Arianna Huffington, editor of the Huffington Post. She is a columnist, author of 10 books and co-founder and editor of the Huffington Post. She is also co-host of the radio program Left, Right & Center. On every morning she piles up her work and then works according from dawn to dusk. It’s the perfect combination of productivity and relaxation.
4. Perform things in a better way: People often say that they have lots of work to complete but not have enough time. They blame lack of time for everything. Time management will facilitates you to perform tasks in better ways, making no opportunity for excuses.
5. Knowing your priority at work: The importance of time management in your successful career also comes in the form of prioritizing your work. It means working accordingly that what is important and urgent. When you are able to recognize crystallize what is important, you will attend to the actual task that needs your focus. You become more effective. Becoming efficient and effective at your place of work will contribute significantly to your career success. According to Kent University, working hard is not always the same as working effectively. Sort projects based on importance and complete the most essential first.
6. Avoid Procrastination: Procrastination causes stress and can affect your ability to do well in your job. Putting off tasks until the last moment can lead to substandard or unfinished work. According to the University of North Carolina, people often procrastinate out of fear. One suggestion for overcoming procrastination is to set reasonable time limits for your project. Once the time limit has been reached, take a break, review your project and reward yourself for what you have accomplished.
7. More Quality Work: When you plan your time you are making investment of a very limited resource - time. Knowing what to work on, when and how much time you have to finish the work makes you more focused. That focus on the work ensures that you get more quality work out.
8. Keeps You on Track: Whether it is a daily work list or a long-term career plan – time management keeps you on track. With your goals stated and time allocated, the likelihood of you staying within the boundaries you have given yourself is higher. Of course, do not be your own jury and judge. That means do not give yourself excuses when you start to procrastinate.
9. To do list: If you make a to-do list you will not forget to determine the time span assigned to each work. If you will not allot time it will lead to an unorganized work schedule. By making this list you will get to know how much work is assigned to you and will work according to your time management.  For this we have a perfect example of Richard Branson, founder of virgin group. He believes that if we manage time then we can complete our work in a proper way. He carries notebooks wherever he goes and jot down thoughts and notes. He maintains his to-do lists very effectively. According to the Career Advisory Center of Kent University, a to-do list helps you feel more in control; stay focused and saves your time. Time management strategies also serve as a useful memory aid, reminding one of obligations that must be met at certain times in the day or week or month. They help to organize certain aspects of one’s life as well.
The importance of time management depends on how much you value your time. If you’ve long been struggling with time management, it’s time to reclaim your time and your life. Learn how to manage your time more effectively. With time management, beat work load! Be more effective and efficient! Achieve more!
Vaishali Arora



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