Time management training programs are my most favourite training programs. Why? Because it’s a complete package of concepts, tools, games, practice and so much more!
I myself have conducted a few time management trainings recently. And have also attended a number of them conducted by other trainers. What I have commonly seen in the activities at the start of a typical time management training program is, that most participants directly jump into the task given to them. And when they do this, the activity, more often than not, gets rather messed up!
But isn’t this also what we tend to do in our everyday lives? Don’t most of us actually complete tasks as and when they come, without giving them too much of thought? There are actually very few people who plan their day before starting it!
Planning is an extremely important activity. Be it just a normal day, project, event or anything, if you don’t plan you mess up. Many of us land up struggling and firefighting because we don’t plan. And lack of planning is a major time management issue.
What is Planning
Planning is basically figuring out and listing down everything that needs to be done in a day or in a particular project, etc. and then prioritising all these tasks. A plan without prioritisation is just a simple to do list. Most of the times, people think if they create a to do list at the start of the day, they are planning their day. If you make a list of the tasks you want to do in the entire day and complete them as per the sequence they are mentioned in, you will end up doing tasks that not so important first. These tasks will most probably be only urgent which is why you recalled them first. And how will your day end up looking? Very busy, but not very productive!
You know why we don’t plan our day and prioritise our tasks? It’s because we feel it consumes time and we might as well use that time to start doing the work instead! But always remember the quote, “Planning well is half the job done”. The more time you spend on planning, the easier it will be to action and complete the tasks. Prioritization is therefore key. And is yet the most ignored action.
So, make prioritisation your priority and I’m sure you will be able to manage your time effectively.
