How do you spend your time?
By By Beth Randall / 4-H youth agent
Jan. 25, 2004
Tick, tick, tick. That is your time ticking away. It seems as I get older the ticking sound gets louder and faster. Wow, the first month of 2004 is coming to an end. Time sure flies.
With time passing so quickly, it makes me evaluate the way I spend my time. I have 24 hours a day to accomplish my many different responsibilities. How I spend those precious hours is up to me.
How do you spend your time? Do you have control of your time or do you allow others to control your time? Most people's time is split between family, work or school, recreation, and personal time.
OK, most of us spend a certain amount of time on personal care shower, dressing, etc. I have streamlined the process so I can spend more time sleeping in the morning. Spend a few minutes thinking about those activities that are most important to you. How can you revamp your schedule to spend more time on those activities and less time on "time wasters?" Of course these activities will change on a regular basis as your priorities change.
One trick for wise time management is when you have time allotted for a specific activity is to actually be engaged in that activity. For example if you allow one hour in the afternoon for homework, actually spend that time on homework, not on daydreaming, or e-mailing friends, etc.
Another thing to try is to schedule time for yourself doing things you enjoy. I like to have time to read and do crafts, and I also like to watch a little TV in the evenings. I plan a little time each day for these things I enjoy. By having time for things I enjoy, I feel I am more productive when I am doing other things that I don't have as much control over.
What are your time wasters daydreaming, talking on the phone, and playing computer games? While these activities aren't bad, they can keep us from doing things that we should be doing. I know sometimes I waste time because I don't want to do my reports or paper work. I have learned if I go ahead and do my paper work first, I can enjoy my other tasks more.
Don't forget to spend some time resting. When we are fully rested, we can be more productive. Good time management is a personal choice. Just remember we all have the same amount of time in the day. How will you spend yours?
