Use time-management skills (PD:019 2.06 Utilize critical-thinking skills to determine best options/outcomes. Use time-management skills (PD:019

Define the terms Time management is the act or process of exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase efficiency or productivity. Stress - In psychology, a state of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium. In psychology, procrastination refers to the act of replacing high-priority actions with tasks of low- priority, and thus putting off important tasks to a later time. Free time - Freedom from time-consuming duties, responsibilities, or activities. Weekly Master List - a simple weekly planner to manage and protect your planned activities; manage your time by managing your activities by protecting the time slots you plan for your tasks. EXAMPLE: http://www.businessballs.com/timemanagement.htm To-Do Lists are prioritized lists of all the tasks that you need to carry out. They list everything that you have to do, with the most important tasks at the top of the list, and the least important tasks at the bottom. ABC principle - “A” section for tasks to be done that day; “B” to be done within the week; “C” for things within the month.

List benefits of time management. Be more effective in your work Organize your life Make better decisions Set and achieve inspiring goals Enjoy a better work-life balance Create habits that work for you Manage your workload Do more... or less Appreciate the value of your time Know what matters to you Do what matters to you Achieve what you 'keep meaning to'

Explain the time-management process The first step to physically managing your time is to know where it's going now and planning how you're going to spend your time in the future. You should start each day with a time management session prioritizing the tasks for that day and setting your performance benchmark.

Use time-management principles. Learn to delegate and/or outsource. For effective time management, you need to let other people carry some of the load. Establish routines and stick to them as much as possible. While crises will arise, you'll be much more productive if you can follow routines most of the time. Get in the habit of setting time limits for tasks. For instance, reading and answering email can consume your whole day if you let it. Instead, set a limit of one hour a day for this task and stick to it. Be sure your systems are organized. Are you wasting a lot of time looking for files on your computer? Take the time to organize a file management system. Is your filing system slowing you down? Redo it, so it's organized to the point that you can quickly lay your hands on what you need. Don't waste time waiting. it's impossible to avoid waiting for someone or something. But you don't need to just sit there and twiddle your thumbs. Always take something to do with you, such as a report you need to read, a checkbook that needs to be balanced, or just a blank pad of paper that you can use to plan your next marketing campaign. Technology makes it easy to work wherever you are; your PDA and/or cell phone will help you stay connected. You can be in control and accomplish what you want to accomplish - once you've come to grips with the time management myth and taken control of your time.

Describe ways to manage time. 'Must have' time management tools Planners. Whether they're electronic or paper based, daily planners should form the backbone of personal organizational skills. Bear in mind that you’ll only ever be as effective as the quality, planning and execution of the contents in yours. Pen and paper. Small enough to keep with you -- you never know when a thought or idea will strike, so make it a habit to keep them with you. This is particularly true if you're committed to keeping a time management log. A pocket notepad and pen mean you can jot down pretty much anything you want to act on, or commit to, later. Computer. A double edged sword, this one. Your PC or notebook can do many things, online and off. How many save you time? As many as you want. Time spent improving your data storage and access by organizing computer files is time well spent. Manage you computer well and it will serve you. Don’t, and it will start to own you. Timer. Use a timer to establish limits on whatever you want to do more or less of (visual timers are particularly useful). For example, if you're habitually wasting time online, use a timer to help you put limits on the amount you do it. On the other hand, when you're having difficulty overcoming procrastination set it for a short time to get you going. Digital voice recorder. When you’re travelling, taking notes isn’t always possible. Using a voice recorder allows you to capture thoughts and ideas when you’re on the go. These really are portable, whether you’re waiting, walking, driving, or even running (well you may be able to; you may end up sounding like a crank caller when you play it back later). PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). More a luxury than a necessity? Some say they are. Do they justify the costs? Many people say they do. Discover the advantages of PDA tools for time managementto decide for yourself.

Student Activity write a one-page essay reflecting on the results of the quiz. In the essay, each student should describe his/her time-management strengths and weaknesses, identify ways to improve her/his time-management skills, and discuss the need for effective time-management skills in business.