|
More Time Management
More
on Schedules
The benefits of using a schedule,
include:
·
Written
plans make responsibilities seem more manageable and less overwhelming.
·
Scheduled
tasks are more likely to be completed.
·
If
you are current on important tasks, you will avoid worry and last-minute
rushing.
The first step is to make a weekly
schedule that charts your regular activities. Use a grid style chart.
Make multiple blank copies of your chart, so you can create alternate
and revised versions.
Mon
Tues Wed Thurs
Fri Sat Sun
7
8
9
10
11
Noon
1
etc.
Include work, commuting/travel, family,
volunteer activities, exercise, regularly scheduled functions (clubs,
church, etc.), socializing with friends, chores and errands, adequate
time for sleep, preparing and eating meals, shopping, leisure activities,
personal care, and other regular activities and tasks. Don't forget
to schedule time to make and review lists and schedules! Be realistic
about how much time you spent on each activity.
If there is very little or no blank,
uncommitted time in your schedule grid, you will need to reevaluate
how you are allocating your time. You need uncommitted time to allow
flexibility, accommodate unanticipated events, tasks and activities.
More
about Evaluating Your Time Management
Analyze how you are spending your
time. Look over your schedule grid and make a list to calculate
how much time you spend on each kind of activity. Next each activity,
calculate and write in the number of hours per week devoted to that
activity. Multiply daily activities by 7 days; workday activities
by 5 days to arrive at weekly hours:
Work
Commuting/travel
Family
Volunteer activities
Exercise
Clubs, church, etc.
Socializing with friends
Chores/errands
Sleep
Preparing and eating meals
Shopping
Leisure activities
Personal care
etc.
At the bottom of your list, total
weekly hours for all regular activities. There are 168 hours in
a week. Subtract your total weekly activity hours from 168 to calculate
your total uncommitted weekly hours: 168 - ______ activity hours
= ______ uncommitted hours
Further time analysis techniques:
·
Monitor
your time - Keep a log
·
List
three activities you would like to do in your uncommitted time.
More
about Using Your Lists and Schedules to Manage Your Time
Consider using the following array
of schedules to organize your time:
Medium term calendar - This is the
overview, don't include too much detail. Enter important dates such
as important events, projects, meetings, holidays, breaks, etc.
Post this schedule in your office area for referral and review,
and to chart your progress
General weekly schedule grid - Plan
your activities in blocks of hours throughout the week. Fill in
all on going activities.
Actual weekly schedule - Modify and detail, working from your general
weekly schedule.
Daily schedule or "To Do List"
- Complete the night before or the first thing each morning. Include
things you intend to accomplish that day, including tasks, appointments,
and errands. Check off items you have completed.
Periodically evaluate your time usage,
then modify according to your priorities:
Are you using your time to best achieve
your goals?
Are you doing what you planned when you said you would?
Can you identify areas when you can use your time more efficiently?
Consider
spending a bit of your better managed time attending a Marriage
Success Training seminar with your partner. MST helps couples handle
the increased stress of the pre-wedding period in a much more healthy
way, so that they can use the pre-wedding experience to deepen their
intimacy--not stress their relationship-- during this special time.
Click here to learn about the benefits of MST.
Copyright
2003, Patricia S. & Gregory A. Kuhlman. You may copy this article
for non-commercial use provided that no changes are made and this
copyright notice, author credit and stayhitched.com source citation
are included.
|
