Time Management Systems
Franklin-Covey, Day Runner, Day Timer and other companies sell accessories for time management systems. Fancy organizers, planners, and other necessities for such usually require spending a lot of money on products that the people who came up with the system say they need. Many time management experts feel the need to double as self-help gurus. A basic system that allows you to manage your time does not require an author’s opinion about how the user should guide the other aspects of his or her life.
An effective time management system should help you decide to two things: what to do and when to do it. Deciding what to do takes more time than deciding when to do it. Self-help gurus add many unnecessary items into these two steps. You complete the first part, deciding what to do, by listing your goals and when you want to accomplish each of them. When you have decided what you need to do, allocate the time to the needed tasks. The schedule works as a guideline as a guideline. It is best to stick with them as closely as possible, but all time management systems should allow flexibility.
Time Management Systems
Covey, Pavlina and other time-management gurus have a lot to say about spirituality and belief systems, but a personal belief system will only guide your goals. What you need to implement your own time management system is a planner, a pen, or a computer with the necessary software. Appointment books can be used for time management, but a simple notebook can also work.
Personal development is and admirable goal. When purchasing a specific system you should think about what you really need. Do you need to know what someone else thinks about how you should look at your spiritual goals or do you just want to manage time more effectively? Throw out the parts that you do not need. Many gurus sneak their own belief systems into these systems. If you choose to purchase a time management system from one of these gurus, do so with caution. Their systems include more than just effective ways to manage your time.
Time management, in its simplest form, involves writing down a schedule and sticking to it. Even as modern technology has allowed us to do many things faster that has not changed. Look for a system that helps you to do that before it tries to help you with anything else.