Time Management

Every person operates differently. Even at different stages in our lives how we manage time changes. One style may work for one person at one stage in life and another style for someone else at a different stage. A good indication that a plan is not working for you is when you stop following that plan. The following provides some common points to consider when managing your time along with samples of schedules.

Before time management begins, a family needs to establish their goals, values and priorities. These will govern the inclusion of activities and completion of tasks.

There are three aspects of time management that need to be considered:

1. assessment of factors affecting time
2. tasks requiring completion
3. scheduling of appointments, etc.

Assessment of Factors

Time management factors are those priorities, aspirations, activities, responsibilities, and people in your life that require a part of your day, week, month or year.

Factors that may affect time management are:

* family goals
* family responsibilities
* family activities
* personal goals
* personal activities
* hours of sleep you require
* meal times
* extracurricular activities (e.g. church, clubs, sports activities)
* weather
* commute
* illnesses
* family emergencies
* personal relaxation
* home maintenance
* work

Tasks

Group your time management factors into three to five manageable groups. For example:

� family
� extracurricular activities
� work
� personal
� the unexpected

Now make a list of common tasks for each group and prioritize them. For example:

* Family:

1. Date with husband
2. Board game night
3. Date with daughter
4. Date with son
5. Work day
6. Volunteer day

Take the list of tasks and determine the frequency and length of time required. For example:

* Family:
o Date with husband (weekly about 3 hours)
o Board game night (weekly about 1 hour)
o Date with daughter (bi-weekly about 2 hours)
o Date with son (bi-weekly about 2 hours)
o Work day (monthly about 6 hours)
o Volunteer day (monthly about 4 hours)

Work from this list to establish your schedule.

Scheduling

Review your family and personal goals, values and priorities before setting a schedule. Build your schedule based on the time of year, your monthly calendar, your weekly events and your daily events. Always build in time for the unexpected. There is nothing wrong with leaving "holes" in your schedule in which you can reschedule some event that didn't happen or accomplish a task that never got completed.

Review the groups of tasks you established earlier. These groups will provide the framework for your schedule. On your annual and monthly calendars mark appointments, dates and times of extracurricular activities, and any special family dates (e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc.).

Your weekly schedule should be divided into parts of the day (e.g. morning, afternoon, and evening). On your weekly schedule, mark appointments, times of extracurricular activities and special family dates for that week. Now block off time for family, meals, housekeeping, and personal time. Add any other activities around these priorities.

Now build a daily schedule. I suggest you maintain one daily schedule where blocks of time can be filled by activities. Certain parts of your day should remain the same; for example, meal times, bedtimes and wake up times. Having a daily routine reduces stress and makes completing tasks less cumbersome.

The point of time management is to help you wisely use your time and energy to meet your goals. If a time management system is not working for you, look for another one that will. As our priorities change or family changes so does the demand and use of our time. Our method of scheduling and managing of tasks should also change with our life.