How to make the most of your time
During my teenage years, I struggled a lot to keep my schedule for the day. Most of the time, I got distracted and did what I did not planned and ended up not doing what I planned. The feeling of disappointment would always set in when I lay of my bed and thought about what exactly I used the day for. Sometimes I got into unnecessary arguments which lasted several minutes, even hours in some instances.
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There are cases where I would just give in to laziness and would not do what I ought to do. I resorted to reading materials about time management. I would immediately begin practicing the principles; do not procrastinate, learn to say no, prioritize your activities for the day, allocate specific time for execution of tasks, stay in focus, tackle your challenging tasks first and many others. After a few weeks, the zeal to carry on with effectively managing my time would dissipate. The urge to continue would just disappear. This continued after a couple of years until I found the secrets.
Vision-The bedrock of time management
Vision is the compass for life. Imagine sailing on the sea a ship without a compass or any other device for direction. Frustration would set in, and the end result will be a total waste of time. This is what happens to many people who have problems in managing their time. They have not candidly defined their direction in life. They find it difficult to pinpoint exactly what they want from life. If this is the situation you find yourself, chances are you having a hard time managing your time. Vision gives you a reason to exist. Vision helps you channel your energies aright. The Bible says
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
Having a clear vision will give no room for time wasting. If, for example, a student has a vision of being the best in class and he is serious about it, he would have no option than to manage his time wisely if he is ever going to accomplish his vision.
Vision is the bedrock upon which sound time management principles are founded.
Always be in good shape
Having a healthy lifestyle is key to making the most of your time. Lack of exercise can cause tiredness and sleepiness even after working for a short while. Too much junk food can also have the same effects on an individual. Inasmuch as having a lot of tasks to execute in a day, it important to pay particular attention to your body. Drinking enough water helps the body to function at its best. Eating fibre, cereals, vegetables and fruits in their right proportions puts the body in good shape almost always and helps you accomplish a lot in a short time.
Plan
It is good to have a great vision but to have it materialize requires a good plan. A plan is the map that will lead to that great vision. Without a plan, there will be no order and time will be wasted. Think about setting up a 4-storey building without a plan. It's close to impossible. Even if it is done, it is most likely not last. To be the best student in class, for example, places a responsibility to have consistent study times, to know how and where to get materials that will help understand diverse concepts and subjects of study, and most importantly when to study what. Penning the plans down and continuously reviewing it is a step in the right direction.
Roll up your sleeves!
It is said that If wishes were horses, beggars will ride. Those who do not accomplish their set goals talk more than they do. They wish it would happen as planned but it is never so. Work, real work, is a requisite for achieving any set goal. What is the essence of having a plan without execution? Working hard, can never be ruled out, especially when it comes to the subject of making the most of your time. Cutting corners may appear to be smarter than working it out the hard and legitimate way but watch the result at the end.
Summary
- Have a clear vision
- Have a healthy lifestyle
- Have a good plan
- Execute the plan
Thanks for reading. Kindly let me know your thoughts on this subject and any question might have.