Today let’s look at time loss and ways to avoid wasting this scarce resource of time. By making good use of our time we can avoid unnecessary hassles reduce our stress levels and lessen frustrations. Often our moods are affected by how we manage our time. It can be really frustrating when you don’t manage to achieve what you set out to do.

Here are a few tips:

• Don’t allow things to pile up. For example check you email everyday. It takes five minutes to read one email imagine how long it will take to read 10! Don’t let mess accumulate. Tidy up everyday. A few minutes today will save you hours tomorrow.

• Take action immediately, so that you are always moving forward.

• Organize a to-do list everyday. Often we waste time trying to figure out what to do next. A to-do list will give your day direction and purpose.

• Be realistic in what you set out to do. Remember we are all different and there are certain things other people can do better and faster then us. Set your own pace and know what you are able to handle. Otherwise you waste time trying to achieve the unachievable.

• Combine activities. Believe it or not it is possible to do two things at once. Its called multi tasking and it can save you loads of time. For example, check your mail while having your lunch (be careful not leave crumbs on the keyboard!) or catch up on some reading on the bus. The other day I spent an extra 45 min on the bus because of a traffic jam. Its time I could have used to draft a letter of catch up on my studies.

• Learn to say no! We sometimes manage to get everyone else’s work done but our own. We end up frustrated and overwhelmed with work. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Unless it’s extremely urgent do not allow new activities to prevent you from achieving what you set out to achieve for the day. Even if its something urgent comes up unexpectedly make sure that it’s the least important tasks that are put aside to accommodate the new ones.

• Do what needs to be done and move on. We can often waste time fussing over an already accomplished task. For example, adding colours and diagrams to a document which could otherwise be plain. If it’s not going to add value, leave it out and move on. If your homework is made up of ten questions don’t try and get eleven right!

• Communicate your schedule to those with whom you intend to meet during the day. Confirm your appointments. The worst is arriving for an appointment and the person is not there. This is both a waste of time and energy and it also adds to your frustrations and bad attitudes.

• Don’t waste your time worrying. Much time is lost worrying about things we have no control over. When you read Luke 10:41-42 you will see how Martha was busy worrying about many things and the lord replied her saying “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Also read Matthew 6:25-34 and see what Jesus himself said about worrying.

• Find the right time to do things. Don’t try and get you homework done at mid night. You will probably be too exhausted and end up spending more time on it than necessary.

Bon courage !!

If you want to ask questions, give some feedbacks or propose a management topic, you can either post a comment on this post or send a mail to Moses at moses@christianyouthblog.com