I write and think a lot about time management skills. I don’t consider myself to be an expert on time management skills yet. In fact, I consider myself a work in progress, constantly looking for ways to improve or better balance the competing demands of life. However, I love sharing what I’m learning about time management with others. For example, I created this time management 30 day reflection journal as a way to challenge yourself to dig deeper into how you manage your time.
Time flows in and out of our lives every second and no matter what, it passes. So the question is, are you making the most of your time? Sure, I also talk about productivity here, but that’s not the only thing that can benefit from effective time management skills. As I’ve shared time management tips and strategies before, now I want to talk a bit more about the reasons why you should care about your time management strategies.
5 Reasons Effective Time Management Skills Will Help You in the Long-Run
- Less Stress – If you have ever been running late to something or staying up all night to finish a project by a deadline, then you know the kind of stress that procrastination can bring. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, but many times, we can take steps to identify upcoming dates and deadlines and be prepared before that time arrives.
- More Opportunities – Whether this is for personal or professional reasons, you will get more opportunities because you will have time to say yes or no to the things you want to do. If you want to take on a new work project or hobby or just take some downtime for yourself, you will have the opportunity to choose.
- Reaching Goals – If I had not managed my time effectively to set a training schedule around work, family, and other commitments, I probably would not have been able to complete a half marathon. By balancing commitments and prioritizing tasks, you have a greater chance of reaching personal and professional goals.
- Positive Relationships – It is easier to follow through with a friend or coworker when you manage your calendar effectively. This could be as simple as entering all important birthdays, anniversaries, and events on an annual repeating basis so you can keep track of what is on the horizon.
- Enjoy Life – As part of this work, work, work culture, it’s easy to get caught up in putting out fires and a sense of urgency around everything. Same thing with family schedules and the competing needs of the people around you. By keeping up with goals, prioritizing importance, and regularly checking your calendar, you may find more time to have some fun or just take some time for yourself. This one also goes hand in hand with less stress because you can feel confident that you did the best you could and hopefully enjoy the hard-earned time to yourself and with your family.
Time management skills takeaway
I want you to take away from this message that your time is important. It’s not necessary to fill the calendar to the brim all the time to be an “effective” time manager. Rather, it’s more important to focus your time on the things that matter and are important to you or perhaps necessary at a given time in your life. And your time management strategies and techniques may ebb and flow with the goals and circumstances of your life. Be true to that, to yourself, and to the people you care about.