Geeks on a Budget: Time
During today’s economic crisis, people seem to have more time on their hands than ever, but in some cases, we keep too busy to manage it properly. Time is a precious commodity, and it needs to be managed just as effectively as our income and spending. As I’m sure people have noticed, even I have had plenty of problems with managing time, so I decided to share some of the techniques I’ve been developing on my own to keep time budgeted just as securely as finances should be. That being said, let’s dive on in!
1. Use a calendar.
Seriously, dates can sneak up on you and cause terrible problems when the “Last-Minute Monster” rears its savage and hideous head. Those cost money, though, don’t they? Not always. I get a free calendar every year from my synagogue. My chiropractor gives out nice freebie planners to his patients. I was given a nice calendar from a print shop as a sample. Even if you can’t find the freebies, they have very simple calendars at places like the Dollar Tree or similar clearance stores, and you can always download one off the Internet.
Now back up to the subject of this section: USE IT. When you’re given a deadline for school or work, write it down! Apart from that, schedule the time you’re actually going to get it done, and leave yourself wiggle room. When you have more than one item to finish and your time is limited, refer to your calendar and don’t be afraid to tell people you can’t do something or ask to reschedule. If the date is fixed, looking at it in comparison with your other work will help you figure out your personal deadline.
2. Establish personal deadlines.
Perhaps you have to have an article written by Thursday (no comment). Set yourself a deadline earlier than when it is actually due. For example, writing said article (again, no comment) on Tuesday night or Wednesday during the day means that you have it in early and might actually have time to do something for yourself. Also, in the case of a work environment, having your work done early looks really good to your boss or client. Apart from that, it’s wiggle room again, and it helps you have a bit more peace of mind when it comes to that looming due date.
3. Make a schedule.
I’m not saying to make a schedule and stick to it. Life doesn’t work that way. What I’m suggesting is to break out an Excel spreadsheet and put down how you spend your time on average. Having a visual representation of your life can give you an illustration of where you can be spending your time more wisely. For example, if you spend the first two hours of your day reading the Internet, you can make a note to set a little alarm to where you only use one hour, and the rest is for productive time. It doesn’t have to be set in stone, but if you have an assignment due or mail to send out, cutting short a little excessive fun time can make the difference.
4. Rest.
Now if you’ve scheduled yourself crazy and are running on fumes, you’re at a health risk. Pick a day every week where you do nothing but something to rest your mind and body, even if it’s a few hours on that day. Even at my busiest, I like to make sure that I have a day to go out and spend with friends, to get some social interaction that doesn’t involve AIM or Facebook. Get some exercise during your week, too, since that keeps the body energized and healthy. Eat properly, sleep plenty. Nothing is worth ruining your health over.
Those are my suggestions, and I’m talking to myself as much as I’m talking to you, my lovely readers. If you want to know some of what I’ve been up to, though, keep your eyes on Geek Life as I report about the Ümloud! charity event for Child’s Play (which I’ve been doing the design work for) and the American River Review. If you have any suggestions or ways you manage your own time wisely, be sure to post them in the comments!
Geeks on a Budget is a weekly column about saving money (and time) without sacrificing the geek lifestyle.
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