Digital Library: Time management

Time management

So when we talk about time management, we can briefly say that it is about skills allow you to prioritize tasks, avoid distractions and maintain focus. In the work area, including voluntary work area, helps with setting and meeting deadlines, working on one task at the time and delegating responsibilities. The essential part how to managing ourselves is by managing our time. There are many reasons why time management is important. One of them is so called “positive cycle” that can dramatically improve many aspects in our life.

Time management is a technique for using time more effectively. It is about organizing professional and private tasks based on their urgency and importance. The first is to take care of the most urgent and important tasks, followed by activities that are not necessary, but still important. By setting priorities in your schedule, you can focus your time and energy where they are most needed.

Successful time management involves conscious planning and thoughtful decision making. It also involves keeping focused and prioritizing important tasks instead of derailing unimportant distractions.

Time management ”by setting priorities for effective management of yourself and your life

Self-management is one of the strategies with which we set work goals and priorities and achieve them effectively in a certain period of time. In fact, it is a process made up of seven basic elements:

• Time analysis and evaluation (time awareness)

• Planning (lists of tasks to be done)

• Setting goals and priorities

• Scheduling

• Organization

• Establishing new and improved time habits and

• Monitoring (time, activities, etc.).

The art of good time management also has many effects on other areas of our lives, such as:

• Improves self-discipline;
• Improves the quality of your work-related tasks;
• Winding down (if you want to have time to relax, self-renew or prepare for coming more demanding tasks, good management skills are essential;
• Reduces stress;
• Opens up new possibilities;
• Enhances decision-making abilities;
• Enables to see new opportunities;
• Enhances focus and efficiency (you can accomplish more);
• Helps to build and improve your personal relationships.

Frequent time management traps

When you’re trying to manage time, it often happens that you get out of the way. To improve time management, you should try to avoid the following common pitfalls:

Trap no. 1: Don't make a to-do list. If you don’t know what needs to be done, you can’t.

Trap no. 2: Multitasking. Contrary to popular belief, multitasking is actually less productive than focusing on each task at a time. This is because our brains are not equipped to perform two tasks at the same time that require high-level brain functions. Some studies suggest that multitasking can lower our IQ because our attention span is split, and can even damage our brains.

Trap no. 3: You don’t know how long a certain task takes. Can you write a report in one hour or will you need three hours? If you don't know how much time a task takes, you can't effectively manage the Seven Skills for Successful Time Management.

Significance in Times of Crisis (e.g. pandemic)

Learning how to balance assignments and number of deadlines while you are working as volunteer will make it easier to adjust to possible future collaborative work environment. Having the skill of time-management means for the clients with whom the volunteers work, establishing cooperation and a level of trust that the mutual agreements will be realized. This is especially true in times of ongoing crisis.