Time is finite. There is only so much of it, and no matter what you do, you can’t get more. Time is the only resource that must be spent the instant it is received, and it must be spent at one fixed rate: sixty seconds per minute, sixty minutes per hour. Thus, the very notion of time management is a misnomer. For we cannot manage time. We can only manage ourselves in relation to time. We cannot control how much time we have; we can only control how we use it. We cannot choose whether to spend it, but only how. Once we’ve wasted time, it’s gone—and it cannot be replaced.
Most professionals are successful in spite of themselves. How much more productive could you be and less stressed with better time management? NOBODY works best under pressure. Unless painted into a corner, some people lack the self-discipline to focus on completing a task. This is a favorite statement of procrastinators and perfectionists who fear that their best efforts may no be good enough. They avoid being measured by letting things go until the last minute then claiming, “I COULD have done this better IF I had had more time.” By not managing your time, you deny yourself the opportunity to do outstanding work. These methods lack integration, focus and an opportunity to plan your future. The test time management tool is an integrated system that allows for easy retrieval of information, tracking of projects, is focused on goals and records key decisions. Most time management experts agree that the average person can gain 2 hours per day through the use of time management techniques. Rushing to meet forgotten deadlines, or worrying about things that you need to do breeds stress. The added flexibility one enjoys through time management techniques actually promote creativity and spontaneity. You don’t have time NOT to learn hoe to manage your time!
Establishing specific goals is the first step in effective time management. This is absolutely critical, and it is often overlooked. Your goals set the focus for how you spend your time. As you become more adept at using your time effectively, you find that you make greater progress toward your goals.
People often confuse goals, or objectives, with priorities. Quite simply, priorities are objectives that have been ranked in order of importance. There are, however, five common priority setting traps. Do you “choose” your priorities simply by responding to things as they happen? If so, your priorities are really choosing you. Clarify your priorities by determining each task’s importance and level or urgency. This means negotiating with people to respond in a time frame that’s convenient to you and agreeable to them. “ It’s just easier to do it myself?” You need to ask yourself these questions: Am I trying to avoid conflict? Does the task at hand require a medical degree? But do their requests really demand your immediate attention? If not, give them a specific time or date when they can expect you to respond. They may squeak a little more initially, but eventually they’ll get your message and your priorities will remain your priorities, not theirs. “ It doesn’t look like anyone is really going to start working on this report. I guess I’ll do it.” Setting your priorities by default guarantees that truly important tasks will be put on the back burner. To prevent this, before taking on that report, ask yourself when the report is due and whether it’s really your responsibility. If it isn’t, determine who is responsible and ask them to give you periodic updates on their progress. If you wait until you’re “inspired” to complete a task, it probably isn’t going to happen. Instead, remind yourself that completing the task might have a pay-off. High-priority items won’t always be the easiest and most pleasant tasks on your list, but dig in and do them anyway, and you’ll be glad you did.
Learning to recognize and then focus on that 20% is the key to making the most effective use of your time. Twenty percent of your colleagues, staff and patients probably give you 80 percent of the support and satisfaction you need. They are your true advocates and you need to take care of them. Let’s look at some examples to implementing the 80/20 rule.
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