Time Management

The 4 P’s of time management is an easy guide that enables you to maximise time management. It is a commonly shared framework that helps give structure to our tasks.

The 4 P’s are as follows:

Prioritising : This constitutes the process of identifying the different categories that we need to be aware of- urgent, important and not important tasks. Prioritising needs to be in line with achieving objectives we set out for ourselves. This includes short-term and long- term goals.

Planning: It can be helpful to set up a daily, weekly or monthly planner. It allows us to dedicate specific times for tasks, whether in our professional or personal life. This can be done in the form of a hard copy method or alternatively there are many digital planners available.

Productivity: It allows us to maximise on tasks through using tools that refine objectives and eliminate distractions. A useful tool involves SMART goals. Break down the task into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time- bound. Spend time identifying and managing distractions. This can include staying off social media and creating a mindful space.

Procrastination management: We build a relationship with ourselves over time. Continuous procrastination may aid in the breakdown of trust because we are not meeting the allocated time constraints that we have set out. It can be useful to spend some time self- reflecting on why procrastination has manifested. One way to combat procrastination is by setting small goals even if it is just 10 minutes spent on a task. Increase this over time. This can improve the trust issues that may have developed, as well as work to achieve professional and personal success.

An important part of the time management process is review: is this working? If not, how can I adjust it to yield better time management.

“The key to time management is to see the value in every moment” – Bryant McGill