“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.” Harvey MacKay

*Please note that I use the British English spelling of Maximise as I am in the UK!

Time is a finite resource. Like all resources in this world we really need to accept that they are finite, seek to make the best use of them and not waste them.

I have long argued that time is your most precious resource. Time is what enables you to follow your dreams. Sure you might need money, luck or skills along the way but all of these factors rely ultimately on time.

What is time?

Time is a concept. Einstein once said that if he was to travel on the tram in his local town at the speed-of-light whilst looking at the town clock then time would stand still. This illustrated that time is only a concept. Have you ever noticed that sometimes time drags whilst other times it flys by? I honestly can’t remember the last time that time went slowly for me. I always have more that enough to do, and not enough time to do it.

Use your time wisely:

1. Work effectively.
I won’t repeat my own productivity tips here, but to maximise your time your really need to work effectively. If you can complete a job is less time, it gives you more of your time currency back.

2. Use your time in the right context.
You know your routine, your plans and your motivations. You should be able to understand how to use your time wisely. For example whilst waiting for a train or plane you can catch up on reading, but whilst driving it might be a good time to make calls or catch an audio-book. Also you might be more effective at writing in the morning, or going running in the afternoon. You know yourself better than anyone, use this to be the best manager of your own time you can be.

3. Don’t let other people steal your time.
If you take away only one thing from this post let it be this. Guard your time as if it was money.

4. Don’t steal time from yourself.
Do procrastinate, waste time or kid yourself that watching daytime TV is a productive use of your time.

5. Understand what value time has to yourself and other people.
The saying goes that time is money. Understand that time is just as valuable to other people as it is to yourself. Don’t waste people’s time, and they won’t waste yours.

6. Use your time wisely.
Eliminate the meaningless, focus on the rewarding. Make sure that your actions are the right ones to take you to where you want to be.

7. Learn how to estimate your time correctly.
Most people are very poor time estimators. Don’t be one of these people. You are less likely to let yourself down if you understand how much you can realistically do in a certain time period rather than overestimating the amount of tasks you can do and being constantly disappointed, or feeling unproductive.

8. Know your own biological clock.
Some times are better than other to work on certain tasks as your body rhythms change throughout the day. For example I find it easier to write in the morning but work out in the late afternoon. By knowing when you work best on what types of tasks you can be the most productive with your time at all times.

9. Time to relax.
Understand that you need time to relax. Schedule it in if you need to, but sometimes the best thing that you can do with your time is nothing…it’s your time – make conscious decisions to use it how you want to.

10. Time to think.
The more free time you are able to provide yourself with, the more time you will have to think. Thinking time is important, it allows you to process information correctly to make the most productive use of it in the future.

Time Saving Summary:
I’ll reiterate these two main points: Guard your time, remember it is your most pressure asset. You are the manager of your time. Manage it wisely and manage it to you own personal greatest benefit.

How do you maximise your time? And what tips to you have for managing time and guarding your time?

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Bits & Bobs:

• Really please with the debate sparked by my last post. Have you left a comment to add to the discussion?
• I’m planning a series of competitions on my blog starting very soon. Make sure you are subscribed for more updates.

Image Credit: by laffy4k on Flickr via Creative Commons

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Time for Three:
Reading around the web:

• http://www.lifemadegreat.com/Blog.aspx?BlogID=25
• http://zenhabits.net/2008/12/the-essential-time-saving-guide-for-busy-people/
• http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2008/12/08/keys-to-success-the-dip/

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Thanks for reading.

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