Time Management - Report Example

Time Management Introduction There is need to manage the limited time in order to ensure more activities are performed within a given time- frame. Time has been the determinant factor for every activity per each given day and period. Time management ensures that each individual realize his full potential. Dombeck and Wells-Moran (2011) indicates the nature in which single day activities can be increased upon an individual measures to improve on the time management process. The report will demonstrate the mode in which time management can improve a single person’s effectiveness. The report will demonstrate time management and will relate it to various researches and strategies. A conclusion was based on evidence and activities related to time management. Previous activities will be the benchmarks in determining the mode of time management and if at all a change will improve productivity or will have no effect on the overall result. Methods The methods involved dividing tasks depending on urgency and importance. Upon which each task was assigned a target. The order of performing each task depended on the urgency. A time frame was set in which each task was to be completed. The mode of performing the duties depended on the difficult nature of the task. A list is developed to identify the list of duties. Time is assigned to each task depending on difficulty. A compete task was marked on list provided. A period of rest was provided per two tasked performed. Other tasks where combined in situations where tasks seam easy. Individual targets where the determining factors towards a successful task. Each task was assessed on three platforms. Goals and priorities of each given task was the first strategy. The other strategy was setting mechanisms that will allow a certain task to be completed using a given method. The goals where set depending on individual and organisational task and obligations. The result and time spend per task was compared on two plat forms, the first being current tasks in relation to set time. The second strategy is the past task with respect to current time set. Work, study and personal chores were divided in the set mechanism. Study period was determined by the school’s curriculum. A transition time was set between study time and personal time. Work period was determined by the organization in that the time spend at the work place was subdivided according to the number of tasks. The task and schedules where repeated for five days. Result Each task was performed according to the set time at the designed plan. There was an improvement in the number of tasks performed each day. Previously one task was sacrificed to pave way for other. In previous schedules there was a choice to pick between study and work. The first day saw each tasks being completed despite some time limit setbacks. The fifth day saw improvement as all tasks where performed in accordance with time and goal set per each tasks. days TASK before time management TASK before after management Chores work School Chores work school Monday complete missed Complete complete complete complete Tuesday complete complete Missed complete complete complete Wednesday complete complete Missed complete complete complete Thursday complete missed Missed complete complete complete Friday complete missed Complete complete complete complete The chart indicates the score sheet with respect to a given time frame. The time factor played a role in determining the complete status. Discussion and analysis The fulfilment of a certain need prompts a person to seek for other avenues to extend to other activities and indulge in more related duties (Kretner &Cassidy, 2009 Pg 211). The tendency of an individual to successfully complete a given task within a specified periods, forces them to carry forward to the next duty. This is brought about by the satisfactory nature in which individuals find themselves. The important aspect of the satisfaction is the planning aspect. A person has to arrange his daily activities according to the priorities provided for by the concerned party. There ought to exist a personal understanding and ability to identify important duties and perform them according to their difficult nature and the time frame. Bandura’s social learning theory (2007) states how an individual learns to manage a certain situation by attempting it. The initial strategies of time management seams difficult but with time a person adopts various tactics and hence aid him in ensuring the goals are achieved. Control over time is the key aspect in ensuring time is managed. The human mind is flexible and performs task in according to what is at hand. Macan (1994)relates the stress at work to be associated with mismanagement of time. A proper schedule and plan require an individual to plan between his times. The failure in which will lead to stress associate with the failure by an individual to deliver as per the set goals and target. The main aspect of success is the manner in which an individual manages to control time. Each task should be performed in accordance with the plan and should not be extended. Time is the control factor and is used to determine whether an individual has managed to control his daily activities. Control overtime reduces the chances of job related stress (Macan, 1994). Satisfaction depends on achieving personal goals and individual objectives. Period spend at each task should focus in satisfying the two goal levels. The set mechanisms are aimed at ensuring the goals are not only achieved but affected. Focus is the main component in determining the personal goals. Individual tasks should be adjustable and fitted in between major tasks. The level of concentrations while performing major tasks should b high in order to avoid a conflict of interest arising with failure to deliver. The reduced concentrating is brought about by an individual who fails to perform a task as per given time. This then leads to multitasking by the same individual who attempts to complete the tasks in undesignated periods. Rubinstein et al (2001) attribute this to low productivity that eventually affects the person’s morale while at the work stations. This eventual affects the overall effectiveness of individual while performing duties and reduce the person’s ability to discover new opportunities. Organisation is the major attributor of successful time management mechanism. The subdivision of task enables on to organise his work accordingly. An individual should aim at ensuring that each task should consume three- quarters of the time allocated. The quarter remaining time should be use to reflect and plan for the task and the previous task. Alternatives should b formulated to ensure a backup strategy in case the original plan fails to materialise. This will reduce frustration and will enhance the transitional period within which an individual uses to perform the next task. Utilizing a given period allows one t avoid backload hence effectiveness. The rash that is associated lateness will not be experienced while utilizing time and managing it. Each task needs to be completed individually and independently. An organised mechanism relates to Maslow hierarchy of beings where each task motivates an individual towards achieving their highest target. The other failure by the management system include the perception of a busy schedule without paper schemes to arrange it accordingly and avoid external force that disrupt a well organised plan. A laid back approach is the best way in reducing failed attempt (Dombeck and Wells-Moran, 2011). There is a tendency of ignoring the best techniques in ensuring that proper management skills are mastered by individuals. The factors of time management lie on an individual himself. Ajzens (1999) indicates in his theory that behaviours are constant. The tendency of an individual adapting to new forms creates a basis on his determination and organisational plan. Training is not the best way of displaying proper time management skills. There is need for individuals to create a personalized approach in time management. The reliance of third party to install individuals with the same skills ends up frustrating those concerned and as a result they fail to accomplish goals. Individual duties are easy to manage but those core duties including job and studies tend to be difficult to manage. Mechanisms that ensure goals are achieved and duties are performed lie basically on an individual himself. Conclusion Time management requires determination and personal efforts. Frustration as a result to failed tasks should be managed by a proper schedule mechanist that separate personal duties to those official duties. From the report it is evident that time management increases the motivational aspect of an individual. A proper plan indicates a clear transition of duties with no interference to other tasks. The nature of stress associated to work will reduce once an individual gets control of time and operates under a defined schedule. The success of the plan is the flexibility nature of an individual. Flexibility implies to time spend while undertaking switching tasks. A self assessment sheet should be designed as it gauges the levels of performance. Personal goals should guide an individual in making informed decisions. Organisational goals should guide one in performing tasks. The strength of an individual while planning task per each given time lies on the implementation part. Time management enables an individual locate, multitask and perform duties without experiencing stress. Reference Ajzen,I.1991.The theory of planned behaviour. Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes, vol.50, 179-211. Bandura, A., 1997, Social Learning Theory,Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice Hall. Cassidy, C ., Kreitner, B 2007, Supervision: Setting People Up for Success, New York, Cengage Learning. Dombeck, M, & Wells-Moran, J 2011, Time Management and Organization, Available at < http://sevencounties.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=9770&cn=353> [26 Mar. 2014] Macan, T, 1994, time management: test of a process model, journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 79. No. 3 Rubinsteim, J., Meyer, D. & Evans, J 2001. Executive control of cognitive processes in task switching. Journal of Experimental, Vol. 27, No. 4, 763-797. Read More