How do I manage my TIME?

Do you manage time? or does time manage you? I went to the library this morning and I've read a book in Communication and Study Skills. One of the topics that have caught my interest is the'Time Management'. I always plan ahead but I always had this question in mind, how can I manage my time effectively?

Here are some helpful tips that I summarized from the book 'Communication & Study Skills' by Rosemary Donovan - the things that you should know to manage your time:

1. Be aware - of how you spend your time each day.
2. Set priorities. Some activities take a lot of time and effort, but don't help you reach your goals. Just as you need to know what is important, take the time to know what things are not important in your life.

3. Establish goals. To manage your time effectively, you need to set goals. Managing your time is a lot easier once you decide what you want to achieve.
4. Plan a strategy. Think about the activities you can do that will enable you to achieve your goals. Once you've figured out what you want to do, take the time to come up with ideas on how to do it.
5. Develop habits. that will help you get what you want in life.

Aids to Good Planning

Calendars-Get the big picture by using a yearly calendar to keep track of important dates, meetings, holidays, etc.
Weekly Planning List- Get a weekly overview of what you have to do by scheduling a week'sworth of projects and activities.
TO-DO LISTS- Plan daily activities by listing everything you have to do, then assigning priorities to eack task. Cross off items as you do them. Make a new list at the end of each day.

The REWARDS of knowing how to manage your time wisely:

1. Increased Productivity.

2. Greater Personal Happiness.

3. Feel less pressured - this is when you're faced with deadlines or a heavy schedule.

4. Be more in control - by making better decisions about how to use your time.

5. Feel better about yourself - because you're using your full potential at home or at job.

6. Do more - and spend a lot less time trying to catch up on things.

7. Have more energy - for things you want or need to accomplish.

8. Succeed more easily- because you'll know what you want to do and what you need to do to achieve it.

I'm pretty sure that learning these tips will actually help us to achieve our goals in life. However, one thing I've learned from my teacher in college 'Engr. Randy Gamboa' which is a must-have attitude - just one word, and that is, 'DISCIPLINE'.