The Concept of Time: Time Management and Its Importance

The definition of the concept of time has been related with ambiguities and even contradictions. For instance, time has been described as “time nothing more than the occurrence of events in sequences, on after another” (Olpin and Hessen, 2012, p.167), and “a resource that, when lost or misplaced, is gone forever” (Kerzner, 2009, p.286). Time management plays a very important role not only in organization but also in personal lives. Time management includes effective planning, setting goals and objectives, setting deadlines, delegation of responsibilities, prioritizing activities as per their importance, spending the right time on the right activity. The time management has been offered as the “the process of skillfully applying time to finish and perfect a specific activity within time constraint” (Harris, 2008, p.22).

Becker and Mustric (2008) divide time into two categories which is quantitative and qualitative. It can be specified that “quantitative time is seen to represent time as quantities, that is time can be measured and counted into seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months and years” (Wu, 2009, p.5). Qualitative time is associated with a meaning of an activity the time is spent on. Moreover, there are varying opinions regard time management amongst secondary authors. For instance, it has been noted that “time management is about taking charge, carefully, consciously, purposefully not shrinking from difficulties, but engaging them”. Time management is not an end itself. It is the means to an end. When linked with setting and meeting goals it provided a way of getting really high achievement out of individuals and others with whom they come into contact. Working without goals and targets in an organization or personal lives would be similar to a situation where the captain of the ship loses his way in the sea.

Marquiz and Huston (2009), on the other hand, disagree with the term of time management and argue that time cannot be managed in any ways, but rather individuals can manage events in their lives in relation to time. However, it has been warned by an author that “time management must not be seen as only concerned with packing more activity on the available time, though this may be part of it and must be in ensuring that objectives are met” (Forsyth, 2010, p.13). Time management is not about creating more time but rather about making the best use of the time have. Furthermore, the management practices, character development and academic performance among University Undergraduates (Elizabeth I.Olowookere, 2015). The effect of time management skills and self esteem of students on their Grade Point Average (GPA) (Nermin M.Eid, Sanaa M.Safan, Gehna M.Diab, 2015). It has been stated that “when we manage our time more effectively and efficiently, we reduce stress and frustration towards studies, we become more confident and we feel better” (Mancini, 2007, p.viii).

In additional, there are more advantages of time management which have been highlighted by secondary authors. First have more energy to accomplish tasks (Limoncelli, 2006, Becker and Mustric 2008, Christie, 2009), feeling less stressed, possibility to pursue personal interests, getting more things done, relating to others in more positive manner and feeling better about self. In other hand, time management principles can be and have to be mastered everyone regardless the nature of their employment age, religion or any other demographic or other variables. It possible for anyone to improve their utilisation and to do so markedly of you have not thought about it recently.