Time Management

One of the hardest disciplines to master in life is that of time management. For some it’s easy, for others its just a constant struggle to fit everything into 24 hours. For me time management is a mindset, I have a diary for key events and a ‘to do list’ but the actual management of time is done in my head, in my minds eye.

For those who want ideas of how to learn ways to structure time and become productive there are hundreds of ways online to help focus and manage time, whether it be for busines, education or pleasure.

This article is not going to show you how to be a master of time but give 3 basic fundamentals that will help you to achieve time management, regardless of what method you use.

So firstly ‘be in a relationship with time’, because when you’re in a relationship you understand more. Time is an illusion, scientifically it’s a dimension.

We all need time to chill, work, clean, have holidays. Whatever we are doing in that time we should always be present in the moment and not worrying about our next task or what we haven’t done.

You see life only lets us see one day at a time. So, we can’t see will happen, we can’t change what has been. So this current piece of time we are in right now we need to make the most of it, so is sitting in front of a tv for the third day straight best thing we can be doing, or scrolling social media for an hour at a time.

Time is often compared to money. Money can be replenished through being paid for work, yet the time we spent on that work we will never get back again.

When I first began to manage my time, I wrote down everything I did in a day tried to understand exactly how I was using time. How much time was I eating, watching tv, on the phone, and even tidying? Once I saw how I spent time and compared it to where I wanted to be and do, I quickly realised just how much time I had wasted. This helped me change my perspective of time and from there redirected my energy and focus, to create this year long series.

The second principle is everyday is new start, but a day closer to the end. ‘Time only comes round once’. I touched on this in the first point, but we all ask the question, ‘what is the meaning of life?’ and ‘what is my purpose on this earth?’. But my question to you is how are you moving yourself forward?

Is sitting in front of the tv or games console going to make you a better person? Will moaning to your neighbours about how bad the council is run, going to make things better? Of course not, it the reason that those of us who manage time have bought into it’s illusion to create a better life for ourselves as individuals. Its about creating the best possible life. We only get one shot at time, because it just keeps moving and the wheel just keep turning.

The final principle is what are you going to leave behind? What are you going to be remembered for? ‘Legacy’.

What we do with our time is important, because it’s what we will be remembered for when we die. Will you just be remembered for being a loving friend, spouse, parent, or will you be remembered for the way you spent your time and how you used it in life to make things better.

Some of us spend a lifetime working for what is important to us, to achieve the best. Other spend a lifetime asking questions and making excuses. What is the purpose of your life?

Everyday is a new beginning, but everyday brings us closer to the end. So, start a relationship with time to understand, treat like gold, it only comes round once and think about your legacy. How will you be remembered for the way you spend time.