The Definition of Time Management - To Each His Own

If I Were to Ask 100 People

To share with me their definition of time management, you can bet I would have a wide variety of responses.

Perhaps that's because most of us automatically define time management as not just the "how" by which we can squeeze more into our day, but also the "what else" we can squeeze in. In other words, not only could we save time here and there, but that, with that extra time, we could accomplish this and that.

Go Ahead,

Ask some people, or just ask yourself. The answers of how you, or they, define time management will range from a clean (preferably cleaner) house in less time to being more efficient at work, to spending more time with spouse and kids, to having more "me" time.

So Then,

Our definition of time management, much like money management, becomes not only how and why to save it, but then (oh joy!) how we get spend it.

What Stops Many of Us

From feeling the sense of urgency where managing time is concerned is the fact that time--unlike money--is not a tangible asset. Even though we know it's passing, we can't feel it passing.

This is probably because, unlike an empty pocket, we can't feel the ramifications of our reckless spending and lack of planning.

Time Is Always There

With no trailing-bread-crumb evidence of what we've wasted. So it's kind of natural (or at least understandable) that it's always "later" when we'll get a handle on how we spend (or waste) time.

A Really Important Concept to Grasp

Is that time--unlike money--cannot be put in a bank or under a mattress and saved for later. And it certainly can't be buried and dug up later (sorry Fido).

As a matter of fact, if you really put it into perspective, we don't actually manage time, only how we spend it.

So Then, We Don't Actually Save Time

Only put more of "us" into the time we do have. We just need to get away from the mindset of being careful with our money, pinching pennies, and always searching for the best deal but thinking nothing of frittering away precious non-replaceable time.

Yes, if asked, everyone has some idea of how they could save and spend time more wisely.

Too Often Another Problem We Face

Is simply being content with our lives the way they are. Now, being content is great, but it's not the ideal. Being content can keep us from aspiring to change.

Not only that, but our definition of time management may change through the years. For instance, think of the person who goes to work, comes home and cooks dinner for the family, helps the kids with the homework, baths and bedtime prayers. Now, since she accomplished all that was needed for the day she may feel content (especially if the little boogers were halfway helping).

But Maybe This Same Person

Wants more out of life. Maybe she wants to get a degree in nursing or take up photography. Maybe she wants to start a home based business. Unfortunately, by the time she finishes her chores in the evening there is neither time nor energy for anything else.

So for This Mom,

The definition of time management at this point in her life may be simply surviving each day.

Thankfully, when the kids get a little older and more self-sufficient she can change her definition of time management to include accomplishing more goals than simply everyone going to bed clean.

About this Author

If you need help either creating or confirming that your current definition is functional for this period in your life, please visit http://www.theremustbeabetterway.net or http://www.squidoo.com/definitionoftimemanagement for some more (hopefully humorous as well as enlightening) glimpses of my own definition of time management.

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