We all know what time is. It's that clicking on the clock that you dread as you realize the work you are working on should have been done 2 hours ago. Or was it yesterday? Then you realize you should have replied to an email yesterday, but you didn't because you were distracted on finishing something. Wait you haven't finished that yet, when is the deadline for that?

Not effectively managed it can be a snowball that builds up making your life more miserable and stressed the longer you try desperately to finish tasks that you have. It can be a loop you can get stuck in. Have you ever felt you are so busy all the time but never really felt like you did anything that much?

Before we move forward let's look at two concepts:

• Efficiency: Working in a well-organized and competent manner
• Effectiveness: Successful in producing a desired or intended result

Achieving these two concepts well would lead you to achieving your set goals.

Time management is not doing as much as you can in a given amount of time...

Sounds a bit contradictory but time management is not a race where you try finish as much tasks as you can. With this mentality you end up with that loop mentioned earlier.

Time management is about doing the right things at the right time.

Remember the two concepts from before? Well making sure that you can prioritize and setting out clear goals helps you keep track of the tasks you set out to do. It clears the fog of vagueness of the responsibilities that belong to you. Prioritizing helps you sort out things that you should be doing.

Lists for achieving high efficiency and effectiveness

Having a list of tasks helps you achieve this. A to-do list visualizes the things that you have to do, a couple pros are:

• Help you remember, get it out of your head and on the list
• Creates an overview
• You can use it to keep track of the things that you have done.

When you are adding stuff to that list make sure to be clear and concise (write it down as SMART-ly as possible), the reason being that you want to prioritize that list, to help you do that you would create three lists, using the ABC technique.

A tasks are:

• Especially important
• You must do and only you can do
• Has dire consequences if you don't do

B tasks are:

• Less important than A tasks
• Taks that can be delegated to someone else or assigned to someone else
• Mild consequences

C Tasks are:

• Routine. Tasks that you do everyday
• Read and reply to emails
• Calls
• Daily meetings
• Writing down your hours

Clearing up the priority using this method allows you to properly make decisions on when to pick something up. Allowing you to effectively pick up the things that matter for your responsibilities. Getting those out of the way is your top priority because you must get them done.

This method also asks a bit of introspection. Ask yourself often if the task is something that you must do. Can it simply be delegated to someone else, can someone else pick this up who is more skilled? Never be afraid to ask for assistance.

C tasks are a constant. These are just part of your day to day. You should always have time for them, but they are not the focus of your work. The good thing is that it is predictable and can plan to make time for them.

Try to apply the ABC-list technique for a week. Put all the things you must do on paper or digitally. Truly realize the full scope of all the things you are doing. Let it bring order and clarity to the work. You will focus on the stuff that needs doing and less on the things that matter not as much. Remember to do the right things at the right time.