Amalya Sukiasyan

Time management is one of the most important aspects of personal and professional life, and it is often perceived as a challenge because time cannot be directly manipulated. It is, as you said, something that cannot be returned, and its waste feels like the loss of the very essence of life.

How to manage time more effectively? Awareness of the value of time The first step is to develop an awareness of how important time is. When we become aware that time is a limited resource, we can use it wisely. This is the basis of all successful time management. This includes analyzing how we spend our day and which activities bring us value and which are a waste of time.

Priorities and goals One of the best ways to manage time effectively is to set clear priorities. When we have a clear vision of our short-term and long-term goals, we will know what to focus on and what to put aside. A technique such as the Parks matrix (separating activities into urgent/important, and non-urgent/non-important) can help in this process.

The difference between productivity and activism It is important to distinguish between "being busy" and "being productive". Often, people spend a lot of time on activities that seem important, but are not intrinsically relevant to long-term goals. For example, answering endless emails or participating in meetings that do not lead to real results may be productive in the short term, but not in the long term.

Delegating and learning to say "no" We can't do everything by ourselves. Delegating, whether in our personal life or at work, helps us focus on what's really important. Also, learning to say no to less important or ineffective activities is key. Every time you say yes to something that doesn't serve your goals, you're wasting valuable time.

Rituals and routine Creating positive routines can improve our effectiveness. For example, if you have the same routine every morning that includes exercise, meditation, or planning your day, it will help you start the day feeling in control and prepared.

Balance between work and rest It is important to know when to take a break. Too much work without rest can lead to burnout, and too much rest can prevent progress. A balance between work and recovery allows us to be more productive in the long run.

Time management is not just a matter of scheduling or organization; it is a matter of awareness, priorities and continuous self-assessment. If we do not perceive time as something that passes regardless of our activities, but as something that needs to be managed carefully and consciously, we can achieve much more in all aspects of life.

Dragan Ugrinov, thank you for your insightful response. Time is indeed an irreversible and non-renewable resource. One of the greatest thinkers in human history, Shakespeare, formulated the value of time through these words: "I wasted time, and time wasted me." Recognizing the worth of time means understanding its practical significance, metaphysical depth, and existential meaning. Like in every aspect of life, balance is important: too much work will make a person a "workaholic," and considerable lack of activities will make one lazy, purposeless, and without a clear direction in life.

Thank you for your response. Yes, to manage time efficiently, it's important to differentiate goal-oriented tasks from less necessary ones, prioritizing meaningful activities, and value-making initiatives. Time should be approached as a priceless resource, which, unlike money, can be spent, but not earned again.