Lessons in Time Management

Recent events led me to add this rejoinder to my previous post Time Management Prescription.

How you manage your time affects not only your life but others' too. Below are ways to handle your own time so that others may maximize theirs too. These tips apply to those who share office space, equipment, etc with other people.

Start early and on time. Being punctual gives you the full benefit of your allotted time and prevents encroachment on other people's time. It also earns you the respect of clients.

Allow for traffic, etc. More often than not, we blame traffic and other people for our tardiness. Factor that in the equation and still manage to be on time. You owe your clients and peers that much. Be responsible enough to make adjustments.

End on time. Understand that there are other people who will use the space or the equipment. They have a right to start on time. Don't spend their time as if it were your own.

Set a good example. If you started late because the person ahead of you ended late, don't use it as an excuse to end late and encroach on the time of the person after you. Keep to your time. Otherwise, you are as abusive as the person who abused your time.

Respect other people's time. Try to keep within your time. If you must encroach on another person's time, be courteous enough to apologize and remember not to do it again.

Time is important to everyone. Don't behave as if only yours matters.


This post is a part of the group writing project on time management hosted by Inspiration Bit.

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