What makes effective time management a skill worth mastering?

Time management is critical to getting things done, which makes it a skill worth mastering.

People without time management skills often work haphazardly. They are usually late to attend to things, do not complete tasks on time, and keep people waiting. This results in stress for that person and can make them appear unreliable to others.

If you manage your time well, you can complete tasks effectively and efficiently. This means being aware of how you use your time, not just whether you are ‘busy’. Beware of multitasking as a time management solution—it is rarely more efficient, as you swap between tasks efficiently.

Be aware of the timeframe within which tasks need to be done, how long tasks take, and whether there are dependencies in doing them (something else needs to be done first - e.g. you need to put the washing machine on before you can hang the washing up). Then, you can create a plan to complete tasks within the required timeframe.

Working like this can provide a sense of achievement, as you complete tasks on time as needed. It can also give you a sense of control over the situation. This is your plan and your time—you are allocating how you will spend your time to achieve what is needed.

Learning to manage your time is a skill that will put you in a good position in every aspect of your life.