Some people have told me privately that they would love to be more organised and in greater control of their time but they are worried about the negative side-effects. Side effects? What could possibly be wrong or negative about having more time and better personal and professional organisation?
Here are a few myths about time management I’d like to dispel just in case you were thinking about getting organised, but were worried there could be a downside.
Myth#1: If I was organised I wouldn’t be spontaneous
The Reality:Time management doesn’t kill spontaneity, it gives you the freedom to be spontaneous! While it’s true you will be more aware of your time and priorities, you’ll also have more time! This means you’ll have time more for the things that are important to you.
Far from being restricted, you’ll enjoy a life where you have more time to be spontaneous.
Myth#2: Time management is only for people who are obsessive compulsive
The Reality:If being obsessive about better personal organisation gave you back 1, 2 or 3 hours a day – time that could be spent with your partner, playing with the kids, enjoying a hobby, shopping, going to the gym, or simply relaxing – wouldn’t it be an obsession worth developing? In reality time management is not about being compulsive, it’s about
being in control of your time and your life!
Myth#3: If I tidied my work area I wouldn’t be able to find anything
The Reality:Think of your desk as a reflection of your life. Are there pages piling up just waiting to be filed and leftover cups of coffee on your desk? Does this mess overflow into your domestic life?
Again, the opposite is true. Once you get organised you will have a place for everything and know where to find things. You will feel much better about yourself.
Myth#4: There’s too much to do, I can’t handle it all
The Reality:It can be overwhelming to be confronted by a massive workload, but you can get organised if you choose to be.
Managing your time is the only way to deal with this overwhelming situation. By chunking down your tasks into small, manageable parts and by taking small steps until the project is completed, you’ll regain a sense of control over your work.
Myth#5: It’s too late, I can’t change my habits
The Reality:Just think of where you would be now if you had
always adopted this mindset. You would never have learned to ride a bike, drive a car, or try anything new.
While its true that forming a habit when you are younger makes it easier to change, there is nothing to stop you starting a new habit at any age. It all comes down to how important you feel it is to replace a bad or disempowering habit with a better one.
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