INTRODUCTION:

Everyone has the same amount of time available. We cannot control time, but we can learn to use it more efficiently and effectively by planning carefully.

What is time management?

· Systematic, priority-based structuring of time allocation and distribution among competing demands¹.

· The term 'time budgeting' is said to be the more appropriate one¹.

What time management is NOT:

· Staying busy always at work

· Avoiding time spent at leisure⁷

Why time management important for nurse educators?

· Helps to work professionally and improves job satisfaction

· Helps to have a greater sense of control over life – both in office and home⁵

· Teachers face unique challenges...

· Much of the day is already scheduled with academic and administrative tasks

· Time is needed to meet parents and students outside classroom

· Time is needed for professional development¹⁴.

Poor time management – indicators:

· Too much to do and not enough time

· Often missing deadlines⁴

· Often work late or at weekends

· Feel burnout and stressed³

A time management goal is:

· Concentrate on results, not on staying busy²

Keys to time management:

· Work both “effectively” and “efficiently”

· Manage “yourself” within available time

· It IS about working “smarter” – not “harder”².

Believe it! which way you choose to waste time, depends on your personality!

· Find out in which category you fall..

· The Crisis Manager - This person is always putting out fires and does not concentrate on advanced planning or learning from mistakes to avoid future crises. This lack of planning compounds any underlying disorganization³.

· The Undisciplined Procrastinator - a lack of self-discipline and enjoyment of socializing often lead this resident to procrastinate. Whether from fatigue or a lack of interest, absent self-discipline prevents him from achieving necessary goals. His socializing can either be a cause of or an excuse for the snowballing effect of procrastination³.

· The Easily Distracted - This resident allows himself to be readily diverted from the task at hand whether by people or events. A lack of focus and an inability to prioritize prevent him from being optimally effective³.

· The Perfectionist Resitern – “I can do it best myself” is often this person’s motto. This belief, whether from fear of failure or another cause, prevents him from effectively using other team members to help the team function efficiently. The inability to delegate can apply both to those below and above³.

· The Systematically Inefficient - He allows the inefficiencies of the system to dictate his productivity. He is not able to develop personal systems to solve or, at the least, to deal with systemic inefficiencies over which he may believe he has no control.³’

· The Non-Communicator - He is unable to communicate his goals and plans effectively to those around him. She does not provide or obtain regular updates on progress toward goals and does not define, for himself or others, their roles at the start of a new task.³

· The Impulsive Wanderer - this person is often backtracking, retracing his steps because he made decisions too hastily and without all the facts³.

Time management -Tips and techniques for educators:

· Identify what your "time leaks" are and then find a way to plug them. Time leaks for teachers include web surfing, socialising, travelling, telephone, meeting, etc¹⁶.

· Use a daily planner to keep on top of things! Always refer to it!¹⁶

· Do not try to accomplish difficult tasks when you are tired. Save those for your peak periods.¹²

· If you have too much on your plate, just say NO. It is not a crime.¹²

Why is it so hard to say “no”?

· Most of us have been taught that “no” is disrespectful and even insulting.

· We tend to value other people’s time more highly than our own.

· We have a need to cooperate and a desire to be liked.

· There are often unconscious concerns of being thought of as lazy or selfish⁴.

· Follow Scotty Technique - Under promise over deliver⁵

· Organize your workspace

· Pick a day each week to declutter – Cupboards, To do list, Computer

· Getting organized- Give everything a home, Give everything a flow

· Reboot Your Office Every Evening

· Extremes of organizing- good for nothing⁵

· Consolidate trips to the office and library instead of running up and down several times during the day¹³

· Don't re-invent the wheel!!! (Eg: Preparing lesson plan which is already available, preparing log books in a new way, preparing ppts which is already available)⁸

· Place instructions and assignment list on notice board, instead of dictating in the class¹¹

Organizing your computer

· Tidy up your desktop

· Store files in D: drive, not in my documents

· Name files and folders intelligently

· Organize Files Based on Purpose, Not on File Type

· Use sub folders mycomputer/D:drive/ office/powerpoints/nsg education/unitIII

· Use shortcuts

· Create an inbox folder

· Stick on to pc organization¹⁰

· Prioritise ruthlessly, based on importance and urgency³

Five Priority-Setting Traps

· Whatever hits first:

Do you “choose” your priorities simply by responding to things as they happen? If so, your priorities are really choosing you. Clarify your priorities by determining each task’s importance and level or urgency. This means negotiating with people to respond in a time frame that’s convenient to you and agreeable to them¹⁷.

· Path of least resistance:

“It’s just easier to do it myself?” You need to ask yourself these questions: Am I trying to avoid conflict? Does the task at hand require a medical degree?¹⁷

· Squeaky wheel

But do their requests really demand your immediate attention? If not, give them a specific time or date when they can expect you to respond. They may squeak a little more initially, but eventually they’ll get your message and your priorities will remain your priorities, not theirs.¹⁷

· Default:

“It doesn’t look like anyone is really going to start working on this report. I guess I’ll do it.” Setting your priorities by default guarantees that truly important tasks will be put on the back burner. To prevent this, before taking on that report, ask yourself when the report is due and whether it’s really your responsibility. If it isn’t, determine who is responsible and ask them to give you periodic updates on their progress.¹⁷

· Inspiration:

If you wait until you’re “inspired” to complete a task, it probably isn’t going to happen. Instead, remind yourself that completing the task might have a pay-off. High-priority items won’t always be the easiest and most pleasant tasks on your list, but dig in and do them anyway, and you’ll be glad you did.¹⁷

Maximize your instructional time

· Lunch, breaks, down-time between lessons, moving from one classroom to another, interruptions and other periods of non-instructional time account for at least 27 percent of a working day¹⁶.

· Allow peer assessment and self assessment when appropriate⁹

· Delegate appropriate work to students and subordinates⁹

Why some teachers hesitate to delegate?

· We enjoy doing things.

· We think delegation may slow down the completion of work.

· Some of us may think, “Will subordinate outstrip us”?

· Some others may think “Nobody can do it as well as I can.”⁹

· Remember the Parkinson’s Law

· Work expands to fill the time available for it. Beware! Embrace deadlines and constraints! ⁶

· Know The 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle)

· The relationship between input and output is not balanced.

· 20% of your efforts produce 80% of the results.

· Implementing the 80/20 Rule

· Read less. Identify the 20% of the journals and books you get that are most valuable.

· Concentrate on teaching the most important areas (20%) of the subject

· Concentrate on preparing 20% of the records, which are most crucial⁶

· Manager’s time

· 50% of manager’s time should be spent in planning

· Cut out distractions⁷

CONCLUSION:

Spending a little time learning about time-management techniques will have huge benefits now – and throughout our professional and personal life.

TIME FOR EVERYTHING:

Take time to work, it is the price of success

Take time to think, it is the source of power

Take time to play, it is the source of youth

Take time to read, it is the source of wisdom

Take time to love, it is the privilege of Gods

Take time to serve, it is the purpose of life

Take time to laugh, it is the music of soul….

REFERENCES:

1. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/time-management.html

2. http://www.library.ku.ac.ke/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?...

3. http://www.powershow.com/view/3_af3d9YTBmO/Time_Management_powerpoint_ppt_presentation?skipadult=1

4. http://www.quantumlearn.com/blog/bid/49053/5-Symptoms-of-Poor-TimeManagement-at-Work

5. http://www.slideshare.net/CarlaMyers/time-management-for-teachers

6. http://www.slideshare.net/shukla1986/time-management-ppt-7871087

7. https://alhea.com/Time+Management+Techniques‎

8. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219553

9. https://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/time-management

10. https://www.refinethemind.com/21-time-management-tips/

11. https://www.teachervision.com/...management/new-teacher/48352.html

12. https://www.teachervision.com/...management/newteacher/48352.html

13. https://www.theguardian.com › Teacher Network › Work-life balance

14. https://www.timemanagementforteacher.com

15. https://www.time-management-guide.com/

16. https://www.topnotchteaching.com/...management.../10-tips-managing-time-as-a-teacher

17. http://www.slideshare.net/rashi213/effective-time-management-9105478

Received on 10.08.2015 Modified on 24.08.2015

Int. J. Adv. Nur. Management 3(4): Oct. - Dec. 2015; Page 389-392

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2652.2015.00042.6