Daijiworld Magazine, Vol.12, Issue 6, November 2020

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DAIJIWORLD Magazine | November 2020
POINT OF VIEW
TIME MANAGEMENT
‘Time is precious, make use of it well’
By Sr M Dona Sanctis
To say that everyone desires
to be successful in life
whether one is a bureaucrat,
a business person or a student is
stating the obvious. We need to
consider why several do not attain
‘success’. Some are of the opinion that
intelligence, knowledge, expertise,
determination, single mindedness
are the key factors for anyone to be
successful. In my opinion however,
‘time management’ is the key and
determining factor. You may ask
me ‘why’? The reason is, ‘time’ is the
only resource that is given to all in
an equal and definite quantity: 24
hours a day, nothing more, nothing
less; whereas all other resources
mentioned above vary in quantity
(and quality) from person to person.
How well one manages this limited
resource is left to the person and
on this management depends one’s
success.
In our fast developing world today
we can easily be overwhelmed
with information, people, and tasks
that sometimes tend to get the better
of us. Without sufficient knowledge,
strategies, and tools we experience
how inconsequential things
can be the cause of much stress and
discomfort. ‘Time is precious, make
use of it well’ is the good advice of
our elders. But today we often hear
‘time is money’ ‘I don’t have time’ ‘I
am too busy’. Yes, we are too busy
with many things and we lose control
over our time. We are preoccupied
with unnecessary and unimportant
things and often waste
time. It is important to see what we
are busy with and what the outcome
of our ‘busyness’ is. This short
article would presumably, motivate
one to focus on what we do and the
purpose of our activities. We need
to learn to budget our time and resources
in the best manner possible.
Time management is the act or
process of planning and exercising
conscious control over the amount
of time spent on specific activities,
especially to increase effectiveness,
efficiency or productivity. It is the
ability to use one’s time on priority
basis. It may be institutional planning,
annual programmes, business,
study schedules, celebrations, vacation
or even daily chores.
Time management allows us to
be better prepared to the demands
of our life and to bring out the desired
output within a short time
and perhaps with less energy and
less stress. Though there are various
approaches, the best strategy would
be to set SMART goals, which are:
Specific: our goals must be very
specific in terms of what we would
like to accomplish. It sharpens our
thinking and tells us why we do
what we do.
Measurable: our goals must have a
time measure. It helps us from procrastination.
Achievable: our goals must be
achievable with the resources available
to us in terms of abilities, finance,
and conducive environment.
Relevant: our goals must be relevant
given the time frame and resources
to accomplish them.
Time bound: our goals must be
time bound amidst many activities
we do. It helps us to get the best
within a short time.
Through the above SMART goals
we learn to value time by being flexible
with our time amidst emergencies
as well as inflexible when it comes to
priority activities. “Never leave until
tomorrow which you can do today”
says Benjamin Franklin, who was a
leading American writer and publisher.
Time management helps us
to set ourselves organized, beginning
with our thoughts. It takes for
a little more effort. However, if consistently
implemented it will lead
one to a greater sense of freedom,
satisfaction, and heights. u