Earlier this week, I attended a full-day seminar strategies for managing multiple projects and multiple priorities. Lately that has been somewhat of a challenge for me. One topic that was discussed at the seminar was "time management". As our instructor pointed out "time management" is somewhat of a misnomer since none of us can control time itself. All we can hope to do is manage how we choose to spend time on different activities, events, tasks, etc. This notion is summarized nicely in the Wikipedia entry on time management:
"Time Management teaches a number of techniques that aim to increase the effectiveness of a person in getting the things done that need to be done. Time management is somewhat of a misnomer as time passes without regard to what we do; the only thing we can manage is ourselves. Hence time management is mostly about self management."

Both the Wikipedia entry and my instructor today point to Stephen Covey's discussion on the difference between urgency and importance when making choices about how to spend time. Urgent tasks are time sensitive but don't necessarily relate to the accomplishment of one's goals. Important tasks are time sensitive and do relate directly to one's goals. As my instructor put it today, "urgency can be deceptive. It can make some unimportant things appear to be important" even when they are not.

In the end, the primary takeaway from the seminar was that we each are responsible for making effective choices about how we spend our time. While it is all too easy to lay the blame on others or the environment for being "out of control" or highly stressful, this is really passing the buck. If we are proactive in making our choices and basing these choices on our priorities and values, we are more likely to lead a life with a manageable level of stress. Do you agree? Leave a comment!

Recommended Library Books and Other Materials
Cut to the chase-- and 99 other rules to liberate yourself and gain back the gift of time / Stuart R. Levine.
The on-time, on-target manager [electronic resource] : [how a "last-minute" manager conquered procrastination] / Ken Blanchard, Steve Gottry. (Downloadable Audiobook)
Time management from the inside out : the foolproof system for taking control of your schedule--and your life / Julie Morgenstern.