Time Management

Many people experience considerable stress because they see themselves as being unable to fit all they ‘have’ to do into the time available. Others spend their time doing things they don’t value highly or can’t see the relevance of.

Busy people need to budget their time in the way that most of us have to budget money. Remember, everybody has exactly the same amount of time. The key to having time is choosing how to use it.

Self-Management and Time

Time is irreversible and irreplaceable. To make the most of your time is to make the most of your life. To waste your time is to waste your life. If you value your time so will others. If you don’t, why should they? Time management is just part of self-management, and it is as much an attitude and philosophy of life as a mechanical exercise in clock watching. If you have not bothered to sort out your values and priorities, then the techniques won’t make life less stressful or more satisfying. Exercising choice means having some sense of your goals, what motivates you and what makes your life worth living. The techniques are valuable once you have established a basis for choice.

Hints for Keeping Stress in the 'Positive Zone'

Check your priorities: what are the important things in your home/social/working life? Life is too short to do everything!
Stand firm when it’s important, but know when it’s sensible to retreat from pressure. Identify your ‘retreats’ and ‘anchor points’ in a stressful world.
Learn time management and planning skills. Taking control makes you feel better in itself.
Be prepared to accept limitations, especially on yourself. Try to avoid unrealistic expectations of yourself. Instead, set yourself realistic, attainable goals and take small steps.
Allocate some time for yourself on your priority list - if you don’t value yourself, why should other people value you?
Learn to view situations objectively. Situations are usually not threats, it is our feelings about them that make us feel threatened.
Be prepared to say ‘no’ sometimes. This can buy you time and enable you to plan effectively.
Eat for health, strengthen the body and treat yourself with care. Learn about your own ‘stress signals’ so that you can take appropriate action.
Review your balance of mental, physical and emotional activities.
Ask for help if you need it

Where to go for Help or Advice