Management: Developing Insights and Skills - Example

Management By Student’s name Course code+ Name Professor’s name University name City, State Date of submission Introduction The issue of time management skills has been spoken, taught and even written about. This is an issue that not many people have taken into consideration, yet they claim everyday that God is never on their side. The issue of time management is important, and not many people have put that into consideration. This aspect has made many people fall short of their dreams and visions. The aspect of management is very crucial, and it needs proper understanding. This is a process that is determinant of change. Someone who wishes to make or attain a new game change must manage their ideas in the swiftest manner. Time management strategy is very easy and can take effect after a short period of time if there is a commitment. Time is one resource that many experts state that cannot be stored, but only used at the right and required time (Leonard, 2002). Part 1- Theoretical Concepts There are quite a number of concepts or theories that have positive implications to time management. The first concept is: 1.) Pareto rule This is the 80-20 rule. This rule states that the 20% of the production or effort will produce the 80% of the results obtained (Kerzner, 1995). This implies that if time is well managed, then only the efficient time determines the overall result. This rule was developed in Italy as only 20% of the efficient people made sure that 80% of the outcome was used by others. This rule is still very efficient, but has been overlooked by the others. This theory however, states that the effort put, only 20% of that effort if well utilized, will enable a better achievement. 2.) Maslow’s Theory This is a theory that is very efficient despite the fact that it does not completely advice you on what amount of time is needed to do a certain task. This theory can also be called the theory of needs (Hiebert, & Klatt, 2001). Maslow a professor stated that life is based on needs. This professor drew a pyramid which highlighted the needs of each human being as per level of each need. The needs which we need most stood at the bottom of the pyramid. The other needs were at the top of the pyramid. This theory states that each individual strives to allocate time to achieve the general needs. Some of these needs include food and shelter. This theory states that the effort put along is distributed among the primary needs. This theory does not completely allocate the time needed to achieve these needs as it can take an eternity. This professor went along to state that if an individual achieves the essential needs, they strive to achieve the other needs which are meant to be a subsidiary (Hiebert, & Klatt, 2001). This law is very efficient as it helps us understand that we must try to allocate time to accomplish the important needs before we shift the gear and take a new course. The Maslow’s theory is very efficient as it stipulates at making us have a higher and concentrated understanding of our needs (Hiebert, & Klatt, 2001). If we achieve this, it is very efficient as it makes us determine how to allocate time to achieve these goals. This implies that it makes us differentiate what we are needed to do first so that we cannot allocate much time to other unimportant issues. Basically, these three theories urge us to give and prioritize on the tasks which should be done first to eliminate confusion and omit doing some other tasks. 3.) Pickle Jar Theory Pickle Jar theory stipulates that in a person’s life, there are different tasks that should be done. This implies that there are the important, less important and tasks that should not be done using less time. This theory states that one should start with the necessary tasks. This should be followed by those that are less necessary until you have completely finished the task required. This theory is explanatory as we tend to do all things at the same time making it impractical for us not to finish even the most important jobs (Richard, 2008).This theory states that an individual should strive to achieve and make time for each task they have in their life. This makes it possible to achieve the required results. Implications In management practices, it is important to go through management as a theory by itself so as to use time management theories identifying management as a skill by itself. In history, a management theory that began in the 1880s was the scientific management theory. This was developed by people like Fredrick Taylor, Henry Gant and Lillian Gilbreth who recommended that efficiency is usually achieved through techniques like work design, standardization, motion or time studies and specialization (Shepherd etal, 2010). There are various parts of scientific management that are still in operation today. For instance, they recommended that efficiency is achieved when a single person performs the same task throughout the day. For instance, instead of the same person carrying out procurement activities, finance activities or recruitment; a single person should perform one task while others are given the other tasks. This can be linked to the pareto theory of time management whereby efficiency would be obtained where 20% of effort from each individual in each department would help in achieving 80% of the results in the final stages. Time management is a plan that I wish to do to save my life. I currently have identified that I am not meeting the regular requirements of the tasks I have set. This is a very critical situation as it may ruin my life and also hinder me from achieving my goals. Based on these two objectives, I am bound to achieve them since I only need to embrace the change that is dependent on time management (Wickham, 2004). Based on the set rules am currently not able to cover my studies since I have mismanaged my time. I currently manage to study only six hours per week. These are very few hours as compared to what am supposed to cover. This is an aspect that has made me unavailable for my studies and also unable to achieve the required grade. The stipulated time that I am supposed to read per week is twelve or more hours. This is part of my action plan which I hope to achieve. The three theories will also have a future effect of helping me to come up with seven habits like those introduced by Steven Covey. The first habit is becoming proactive. This implies that one should be able to assume full control of the area or situation that they are in. This means that I should be in control of the situation. This can be achieved by having a motive of what I wish to achieve and also by having a target that can help me plan my time well (Patrick, 2013). The three theories will also have a positive implication on me by helping me aspire to start with the main and important priorities. This makes it more meaningful as I will be able to do what is required and overlook what is not necessary and important. The urge to win is another implication by the three theories more so the 80-20 rule where I have to be more productive and efficient. The urge to win will help me have a reflective mind that can reflect on my time plan. I need to reflect myself winning the fight against mismanagement of time (Shell, 2003). The pickle jar theory requires me to do the necessary things which means or implies that I should form an art of understanding. The art of understanding will help me to have a clear understanding of my responsibilities when it comes to management of time. This implies that for example, I should make people close to me that I may watch movies with understand that I have some responsibilities. This simply implies that one should understand the responsibilities that come with time management and also help make others understand that aspect and why they are doing so. Creative cooperation is also very dependable in time management and each individual should cooperate with others to help identify if their challenge will make it possible for them to achieve their goals. The seventh and last habit that covey stated is the one of self-renewal. This means that it is the habit of realizing the change and accepting it. This means that there are four main areas emotional, spiritual, physical and mental (Martin, 2010). These habits are excitingly very useful in each individual’s life as they strive to achieve time independence. Maslow’s theory implies the need for self renewal, the need to realize emotional, spiritual, physical and mental needs and goals in a hierarchical way. The three concepts also imply that I should have an aspect of review which though may be tedious to many making it a necessity to own a time log. This makes it possible for me to record my time and review if I am able to manage time well. The implication in this case is that I should be ready to give a challenge to all those things that become obstacles to achieving my objectives. This means that I should review my time in terms of long term and short term objectives and that I should have weekly if not daily reviews that can help me in achieving my desired goals. Weekly time management makes it easier to plan for time since it is not easily consumed by underlying projects (Leonard, 2004). Part II - Outcomes and Measures of achievement Actual outcomes – Changes in skill In future, I am going to ensure that I monitor my discipline in following the time table especially in reducing activities that reduced my studying hours to 6 hours, in the past. I will come up with a journal template that I will be making entries of all my activities and the experience. This will be followed by counterchecking the journal entry with a diary that will be showing dates and activities or rather events of the future. In relation to the pickle jar theory, I am going to formulate a journal template that I will be filling entries of tasks that I will be taking. Therefore, I will be expected to design a diary that will be showing the most important events to attend and tasks to perform. In case of a meeting in future, I will be entering the venue, date and time of the meeting or appointment. On the other hand, I will be expected to crosscheck the information in the journal entry against the diary. The journal shall be showing the experiences and tasks of the day. The journal entries will be like a schedule used to tell whether the diary or rather the time table was followed. Thus, I will be able to control and monitor my future behavior in regard to time management. I will be formulating control measures whenever I find a problem with following my schedule. In reference to the pickle jar theory, I will be designing my diary and time table in a manner that the most important tasks will be appearing in the first hours of the schedule. In this case, I will ensure that the first hours will be dedicated to studying until 12 hours are over. I will decide to schedule important meetings that might not take a very long time in between the studying breaks since I cannot study the whole day continuously. This theory states that one should start with the necessary tasks (Richard, 2008). I will also come up with a list of needs that I will be prioritizing in my schedule. This will be in relation to the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (Drucker & Maciariello, 2000). Food shelter and clothing appear in the basic needs of Maslow’s hierarchy. I will have to ensure that I make a list of the foods that will help in maintain a good health. Therefore, in this case I will prioritize in ensuring that I go to the gym every evening. This will be probably in the evening. Therefore, health and fitness needs will appear on top of my list (Herrell & Jordan, 2007). On the other hand, needs like maintaining my English proficiency will also appear but not on the very top of the list since these are self actualization needs that cannot come before basic needs, security needs, sense of belonging needs and self esteem needs are satisfied. This is in reference with the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maintaining a decent social life need falls in sense of belonging level in the hierarchy of needs. I cannot fulfill my self-actualization needs before I fulfill my sense of belonging needs. The list will help me in prioritizing my needs and scheduling my time in such a way that the most urgent needs will bear more time than the needs that are not very urgent. In hunger for improvement, I will also ensure that my time is utilized efficiently. This is where I will be following the pareto theory that states that 80% of the results are achieved by 20% of the efficiently utilized time (Dunham, 1995). If it is researching on my assignment, I will be ensuring that I do not take part of that time in reading emails. I will be concentrating on researching and studying books online. I will also not spend that time on searching the latest computer games online. I will ensure that studying time remains studying time. Whenever I go to the gym I will avoid phone calls and chatting. I will utilize most of that time in jogging, lifting weights and doing other exercises. This will ensure that I utilize my time efficiently without wasting it (Chris, 1998). Measures of achievement I will measure my achievement in increasing studying hours by looking at my score in English. I will also be recording the number of days that I study 12 hours or more, and record the hours that I will be studying less than 12 hours. This will help me crosscheck where I went wrong and compare the days spent studying for twelve hours against those I spend little hours. In relation to this, II will be able to measure amount of load work covered on my studies against the days that I did not cover enough load work. I will also be looking at the number of assignments covered against the ones I fail to cover. In following my timetable, I will measure my achievement through going through the journal entries and recording the tasks achieved against those that will not have been achieved. In addition, I will be able to see the meetings missed and every situation where I wasted time. I will also be able to track my achievement by looking at the checkbooks not yet balanced. I will also be able to track the number of completed reports against those that I will not have completed. I will also be able to record the number of marketing campaigns missed. Additionally, I will be able to track the number of hours spent in the gym. I will be measuring my weight now and then to see my weight on a weekly basis. I will also measure my time management skill through evaluating the performance of my side business. This will definitely be measure against the earnings of the business on a daily basis. Abandoning or reducing time for movies and computer games is one way that I will measure how I have achieved and understanding of my time table and my commitment to it. This is because computer games and movies consume so much of my time such that they were ruining my studies (Martin, 2010). My proficiency in English is one way that I will use to measure my achievement in my plan to drop movies from timetable and instead read and study. Conclusion The aspect of time management is very important in somebody’s life. If people learn to manage their time, they are able to achieve their objectives. This aspect is however, hindered by the challenges that an individual has to face as they strive to make life better. Some of these challenges are meant to make us stronger and should be used as a stepping stone to help us achieve our goals. People should learn to take positively the challenges they face with a mind of achieving their objectives (Martin, 2010). Proper plan of time makes it possible for students to achieve better grades and strive to build their career. Organizations also that ensure they stick to time management also achieve greater heights since they are able to do as per their plan. People should understand that aspect of time management is very simple, but can also be complex. As explained above, covey’s seven habits are very simple to manipulate and ensure that we achieve our objectives (Kinicki & Williams, 2003). The three theories are also explanatory that people should allocate time for each task they want to do. This starts with giving the important task time. People should strive to understand and learn the aspects of time management. Due to time management I will be able to grow to a proper prior planner who can prevent poor performance by planning time efficiently. This means that at the dawn of each day am required to plan for what I will do. This requires that I prioritize effectively. This means that I should over look movies and computer games to help me achieve my goals. Delegating as explained earlier is an aspect that I wish to uphold since it will help me prioritize the necessary tasks (Herrell & Jordan, 2007). Delegation of activities is what I will use as a measure of my success or achievement when it comes to planning my time efficiently. Abandoning or reducing time for movies and computer games is one way that I will measure how I have achieved an understanding of my time table and my commitment to it. This is because computer games and movies consume so much of my time such that they were ruining my studies (Martin, 2010). My proficiency in English is one way that I will use to measure my achievement in my plan to drop movies from timetable and instead read and study. References BATEMAN, T. S., & SNELL, S. 2013. Management. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Chris, C. 1998. Management: developing insights and skills. Berkshire: Open University Press. DUNHAM, J. 1995. Developing effective school management. London: Routledge. DRUCKER, P. F., & MACIARIELLO, J. A. 2008. Management. New York, NY: Collins. HIEBERT, M., & KLATT, B. 2001. 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