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Truth about Saving Time
Debunking Common Myths
- True or False: You do not have enough time.
- True or False: You can learn to save time.
- True or False: When you multitask, you accomplish more.
Scroll to the bottom for the answers. If your responses were not correct, you are certainly not alone in your thinking. Do not despair. There are solutions.
Question 1, the lament of the modern business world: You do not have enough time.
Guess what? Everyone has the same amount of time, and you can find some super achievers around you. You are as smart, as hard-working, and as motivated. The difference is that some people prioritize better. They know how much time they have, they recognize their priorities, and they schedule their days to meet those priorities. Reality is that we all have enough time for what matters. Your job is to figure out what motivates you and what your goals are, then plan accordingly.
Question 2, the hope that things will change: You can learn to save time.
Where do you bank that accumulated time? If you save two hours today, could you use 26 hours tomorrow? Unfortunately there is no rainy-day stockpile. You simply make better use of your allotted amount by working as effectively and efficiently as possible. This means having systems in place, grouping similar tasks, and maintaining a schedule that focuses on meaningful activities. Drop or delegate the unimportant tasks and cut out the time-wasters. It may necessitate leaving off an hour of television in the evening or limiting internet browsing, but you can create a balance in life and achieve your goals without additional time.
Questions 3, one way we try to cope: When you multitask, you accomplish more.
In order to achieve more during the day, it is common to attempt doing two or three things at the same time. Yet research shows that you do not process tasks simultaneously. Even though activities feel that they are happening at the same time, your brain queues them, with one thing following another. If you focused on one type of activity at a time, you would work faster because the need to switch gears can actually consume more time. You accomplish less when you continually multitask.
All answers are false. With the right time management techniques in place, you will get more done, without stress, and be more productive in meeting today's work demands.
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