Hi everyone! I’m Babar, aged 23. I am currently doing mechanical engineering from Suffa University. Being a student, especially an engineering student it is very difficult to manage time. At first I thought no one can control time, but when I made an effort to learn time management everything was more fun. Yes you heard it right, management of your daily routine is FUN!
When I started to plan my routine, everything seems to be impossible. But let me share my experience with you, how I learnt to manage time. Firstly, I took a piece of paper and recorded all my daily and weekly activities. I made up a chart for a week, a tried to follow it. I aligned myself tasks to be completed in that week, not one, MANY tasks. Once I completed my weekly task, I gradually started aligning tasks for every day. So this was the long story short, how I learnt. But to be honest time management can improve your life style, and the quality of work you do.
There are just some rules which need to be followed while planning your daily routine, and then you are good to go!
RULE NO.1 “PEN DOWN YOUR TASKS”
Your daily routine includes your studies, job, family, friends and extracurricular activities. Sometimes it becomes hard to achieve everything in one day. So the best way to achieve your aim is to make a time table. Try to keep your studies away from your extracurricular activities. If we try to do all things together it becomes difficult to complete any one task, and top of that you get no time for your family and friends. So try to keep things aligned according to the schedule.
RULE NO.2 “COMPLETE YOUR TASK TODAY”
Like many other people, I used to think time is not important. We’ve got a 24 hours long day, and 7 days a week. If not today, tomorrow is always there to complete the task. But believe me there is no tomorrow. If you plan to do something tomorrow instead of today, you’ll keep delaying it. So “Complete your task today”.
RULE NO.3 “SET YOUR GOALS”
This is the most difficult part of time management. Or maybe I find it difficult. Always make up your mind that you have to achieve a specific goal in a specific time by the end of the day. You have already made your timetable, aligned your tasks, give yourself a time slot for a specific task. Do give every task a deadline. So that you always have that thing in your mind that you’re left with only few hours to complete a task.
RULE NO.4 “GIVE YOURSELF A DEADLINE”
It’s easy to let go anything if you have an open-ended deadline. Instead, set a deadline to complete you task on your list of to do list. Set a goal to end your workday at a specific time and have everything done before that. No one likes to work with a deadline, but try to give yourself a deadline once, everything becomes more like an adventure then. This trick will definitely help you to achieve your aim with lesser time. Then you will be left with extra time to enjoy your life instead of worrying about all you haven’t completes. In that you can go out with your friends, go for a good walk or gym, or you can just sit at home and watch a movie and have good food.
RULE NO.5 “SET A TIMER”
Rule number 5 is slightly similar to rule number 4, it's actually like a deadline on a small scale. Always set a timer in your phone, so that it keeps alarming you about the remaining time left of a specific task. I know it’s hard, but once you are used to it believe me it’s fun . If you’re struggling to focus on getting something done within that time, take a break and set another timer. This can help you to break the task in smaller chunks and get the work done.
RULE NO.6 “SMALLER TASKS”
I usually try to break my tasks into smaller tasks. I try to fit them in the remaining available time that I have. Only IF I’m not planning to hang out with my friends or family.
RULE NO.7 “NEVER BRING YOUR WORK HOME”
Yes, if you want to keep your work and family away, simply just do not bring your work at home. If you got extra homework, assignments, projects try to complete them in your school/college/university during the free periods or lunch hours. Speaking about my personal experience, whenever I planned on doing my work at home in evening or night, it never got done. Because most of the time your family asks you to take them out, or help them in the household work. So it is always better to complete your work and then get back home. Like this you can enjoy your time with your friends and family like I do.
RULE NO.8 “AVOID MULTI-TASKING”
Many of us think that multi tasking is good. Not everyone but those who are not good in multi tasking they should avoid it because while multi tasking we are not focusing on any one thing. At the end, you are maybe not done with anything at all. Instead, work according to your pre planned schedule. Work with one thing at a time. Like this your focus will be only on one thing, and it’ll definitely improve the quality of work you produce. And dont forget keep your phone away while working. Keep a time for checking your emails and messages.
RULE NO.9 “LIST DOWN IDEAS”
If you’re a person who keeps forgetting new ideas related to your next task then this rule is very important for you. It’s better to write them down as later on you'll not waste time on recalling them. Always keep a pen and paper handy, and write as soon as possible as the idea hits your mind. At the end of the day you can look up if you’re not left with anything, and what else you can do with those ideas.
All these rules were for the better management of time for your studies or work along with your family and friends. But apart from this, there are two more important things which need to be look after:
All these rules were for the better management of time for your studies or work along with your family and friends. But apart from this, there are two more important things which need to be look after:
ATLEAST 7-8 HOURS SLEEP A DAY
Sleep is the most important thing of your life. Try to sleep 8 hours a day, and if not possible at least try to sleep 6 hours a day. It will keep your brain fresh. Also try to take small naps during your break , it’ll help you to be more productive entire day.
WORKOUT DAILY
Exercise is something which people often think is the least important, or keeps it at the bottom of the list. But by working out at the start of each day, it helps your brain to get more oxygen and nutrient. It also boost your productivity throughout the day. And while working try not to sit constantly, the effect of the exercise will fade. Try to move around or take a little walk.
If you’re having those hard days in managing your time, I hope these rules will help you out in achieving your goals. Implement them and be productive today.
Thank you.
