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By Chathu: Fish Farming article
Fish farming is an ideal business idea for investors with available land, and it doesn’t always require a large body of water. You can start a fish farm either by creating fish ponds or investing in fish tanks; it’s a highly scalable business idea. Once you have the proper knowledge of fish raising, you will be able to decide the type of fish to raise. According to FinModelsLab, a well-run fish farm can produce a return on investment (ROI) of 15% to 40% annually, with many fish farmers achieving a full return on their investment within three to five years.
Fish such as tilapia, cod, trout, and catfish are popular because they are easy to raise and in high demand. Small-scale farms are the usual suppliers of fish in their local supermarkets and restaurants.
Other popular varieties of commercially-raised fish include:
Yellow Perch
Eel
Grass Carp
Tuna
Salmon
Not all fish are raised for food. Goldfish and koi are popular fish to farm as well. For non-food fish, focus on cultivating premium species that will fetch a higher price when you sell. Whether you are raising fish for food or not, adopting sustainable farming practices will be better for both your business branding and your long-term operational costs.
The decision as to which fish you want to raise will ultimately rely on your skill, financial capacity, market demand, and agro-climatic condition. This refers to the normal soil types, rainfall, temperature, and water availability that affect the type of vegetation in the area.
Fish such as tilapia, cod, trout, and catfish are popular because they are easy to raise and in high demand. Small-scale farms are the usual suppliers of fish in their local supermarkets and restaurants.
Other popular varieties of commercially-raised fish include:
Yellow Perch
Eel
Grass Carp
Tuna
Salmon
Not all fish are raised for food. Goldfish and koi are popular fish to farm as well. For non-food fish, focus on cultivating premium species that will fetch a higher price when you sell. Whether you are raising fish for food or not, adopting sustainable farming practices will be better for both your business branding and your long-term operational costs.
The decision as to which fish you want to raise will ultimately rely on your skill, financial capacity, market demand, and agro-climatic condition. This refers to the normal soil types, rainfall, temperature, and water availability that affect the type of vegetation in the area.
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Chathuri Hewapathirana 1

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By Chathu: Fish Farming article
Fish farming is an ideal business idea for investors with available...
Posted by:
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025
Posted on: #iteachmsu
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image in description
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Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
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Types of people who will benefit from the Eise...
Types of people who will benefit from the Eise...
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NAVIGATING CONTEXT
Monday, May 6, 2024
Posted on: #iteachmsu
NAVIGATING CONTEXT
Getting Started
What is the #iteachmsu Commons?
Welcome to the #iteachmsu Commons
You teach MSU. We, the Academic Advancement Network, The Graduate School, and The Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology, believe that a wide educator community (faculty, TAs, ULAs, instructional designers, academic advisors, et al.) makes learning happen across MSU. But, on such a large campus, it can be difficult to fully recognize and leverage this community’s teaching and learning innovations. To address this challenge, the #iteachmsu Commons provides an educator-driven space for sharing teaching resources, connecting across educator networks, and growing teaching practice.
#iteachmsu Commons content may be discipline-specific or transdisciplinary, but will always be anchored in teaching competency areas. You will find short posts, blog-like articles, curated playlists, and a campus-wide teaching and learning events calendar. We cultivate this commons across spaces. And through your engagement, we will continue to nurture a culture of teaching and learning across MSU and beyond.
How to login
To begin creating content of your own on the #iteachmsu Commons, simply click the green Login button in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Your account will automatically be provisioned after successfully logging into the MSU Net ID login prompt. Currently, only authenticated MSU faculty, staff and students can create content on the #iteachmsu Commons. However, external users are free to browse and share public facing content without logging into the site.
Where to start
If you are looking for brief instructive videos on the core functionality of the site, take a look at our Getting Started playlist. After viewing each one of the video tutorials on the playlist, you will receive a Contributor badge which will display on your profile
What Are the #iteachmsu Commons Policies?
Part of the mission of the #iteachmsu Commons is to provide space for sharing, reflecting, and learning for all educators on our campus wherever they are in their teaching development. The commons is designed to encourage these types of interactions and reflect policies outlined by the MSU Faculty Senate. We maintain the right to remove any post that violates guidelines as outlined here and by MSU. To maintain a useful and safer commons, we ask that you:
Follow the MSU Guidelines for Social Media.
Engage across the #iteachmsu commons in a civil and respectful manner. Content may be moderated in accordance with the MSU Guidelines for Social Media.Do not share private or confidential information via shared content on the #iteachmsu Commons.
Content posted on the #iteachmsu Commons is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Learn more about this licensing here. Posted comments, images, etc. on the #iteachmsu Commons do not necessarily represent the views of Michigan State University or the #iteachmsu Commons Team. Links to external, non-#iteachmsu Commons content do not constitute official endorsement by, or necessarily represent the views of, the #iteachmsu Commons or Michigan State University.
Other important policies:
MSU's Web Accessibility Statement
MSU's Privacy Statement
What if I Have #iteachmsu Commons Questions and/or Feedback?
If you have any concerns about #iteachmsu Commons content, please email us at iteach@msu.edu. We welcome all feedback and thank you for your help in promoting a safer, vibrant and respectful community.
Stay up to date with the #iteachmsu Digest
Welcome to the #iteachmsu Commons
You teach MSU. We, the Academic Advancement Network, The Graduate School, and The Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology, believe that a wide educator community (faculty, TAs, ULAs, instructional designers, academic advisors, et al.) makes learning happen across MSU. But, on such a large campus, it can be difficult to fully recognize and leverage this community’s teaching and learning innovations. To address this challenge, the #iteachmsu Commons provides an educator-driven space for sharing teaching resources, connecting across educator networks, and growing teaching practice.
#iteachmsu Commons content may be discipline-specific or transdisciplinary, but will always be anchored in teaching competency areas. You will find short posts, blog-like articles, curated playlists, and a campus-wide teaching and learning events calendar. We cultivate this commons across spaces. And through your engagement, we will continue to nurture a culture of teaching and learning across MSU and beyond.
How to login
To begin creating content of your own on the #iteachmsu Commons, simply click the green Login button in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Your account will automatically be provisioned after successfully logging into the MSU Net ID login prompt. Currently, only authenticated MSU faculty, staff and students can create content on the #iteachmsu Commons. However, external users are free to browse and share public facing content without logging into the site.
Where to start
If you are looking for brief instructive videos on the core functionality of the site, take a look at our Getting Started playlist. After viewing each one of the video tutorials on the playlist, you will receive a Contributor badge which will display on your profile
What Are the #iteachmsu Commons Policies?
Part of the mission of the #iteachmsu Commons is to provide space for sharing, reflecting, and learning for all educators on our campus wherever they are in their teaching development. The commons is designed to encourage these types of interactions and reflect policies outlined by the MSU Faculty Senate. We maintain the right to remove any post that violates guidelines as outlined here and by MSU. To maintain a useful and safer commons, we ask that you:
Follow the MSU Guidelines for Social Media.
Engage across the #iteachmsu commons in a civil and respectful manner. Content may be moderated in accordance with the MSU Guidelines for Social Media.Do not share private or confidential information via shared content on the #iteachmsu Commons.
Content posted on the #iteachmsu Commons is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Learn more about this licensing here. Posted comments, images, etc. on the #iteachmsu Commons do not necessarily represent the views of Michigan State University or the #iteachmsu Commons Team. Links to external, non-#iteachmsu Commons content do not constitute official endorsement by, or necessarily represent the views of, the #iteachmsu Commons or Michigan State University.
Other important policies:
MSU's Web Accessibility Statement
MSU's Privacy Statement
What if I Have #iteachmsu Commons Questions and/or Feedback?
If you have any concerns about #iteachmsu Commons content, please email us at iteach@msu.edu. We welcome all feedback and thank you for your help in promoting a safer, vibrant and respectful community.
Stay up to date with the #iteachmsu Digest
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NAVIGATING CONTEXT
Thursday, Mar 25, 2021
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DISCIPLINARY CONTENT
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Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.
Posted by:
Venturit Super Admin
Posted on: #iteachmsu
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Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is ...
Posted by:
DISCIPLINARY CONTENT
Friday, May 10, 2024
Posted on: #iteachmsu
ASSESSING LEARNING
Smoke test article, What is causing my back pain, and how can I remedy it? -- edited
Common causesTrusted Source of back pain include:
Strains and sprains
Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons, while sprains affect the ligaments. Examples of movements that could lead to one of these injuries include:
pushing, pulling, lifting, or carrying something
bending over
twisting the spine abruptly
coughing or sneezing
Other types of injury that can causeTrusted Source back pain include whiplash and fractures.
Learn the difference between a sprain and a strain.
Posture
Posture refers to how a person holds themselves when sitting or standing. Over time, some postures can leadTrusted Source to pain.
Examples of postures that may eventually cause pain include:
forward head posture, which is when the head juts forward over the spine
slouching, which involves sitting or standing with rounded shoulders
hyperlordosis, which is when the hips tilt forward, arching the lower back
Everyday activities can also mean a person adopts an unhealthy posture for prolonged periods. Examples include:
driving
using a laptop or computer that is too low down
sitting in chairs or on couches that do not support the back
sleeping on an unsupportive mattress
Learn more about different types of posture.
Structural problems
Some structural problems of the spine may also result in back pain. These can includeTrusted Source:
Ruptured disks: Disks cushion each vertebra in the spine. If the disk ruptures, it exerts more pressure on a nerve, resulting in back pain. Sometimes, this pain may travel through the buttock and down the back of a leg. This is known as sciatica.
Bulging disks: Similarly, a disk that bulges from its place between the bones can put pressure on a nerve. Sometimes, this may also result in sciatica.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can cause problems with the joints in the hips, lower back, and other areas of the body. Sometimes, the space around the spinal cord narrows. Health experts call this spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis: This causes the bones to become brittle and porous. When this leads to fractures, osteoporosis may cause back pain.
Curvature of the spine: Back pain can occur if the spine curves too much. An example is scoliosis, in which the spine curves to the side.
Other causes
Other factors that may lead to back pain include:
kidney stones
menstrual cramps
endometriosis
pregnancy
infections of the spine, bladder, kidneys, or reproductive system
shingles, which lies dormant in nerves and can reactivate, causing a painful rash along the nerve path
cauda equina syndrome
cancer of the spine
Strains and sprains
Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons, while sprains affect the ligaments. Examples of movements that could lead to one of these injuries include:
pushing, pulling, lifting, or carrying something
bending over
twisting the spine abruptly
coughing or sneezing
Other types of injury that can causeTrusted Source back pain include whiplash and fractures.
Learn the difference between a sprain and a strain.
Posture
Posture refers to how a person holds themselves when sitting or standing. Over time, some postures can leadTrusted Source to pain.
Examples of postures that may eventually cause pain include:
forward head posture, which is when the head juts forward over the spine
slouching, which involves sitting or standing with rounded shoulders
hyperlordosis, which is when the hips tilt forward, arching the lower back
Everyday activities can also mean a person adopts an unhealthy posture for prolonged periods. Examples include:
driving
using a laptop or computer that is too low down
sitting in chairs or on couches that do not support the back
sleeping on an unsupportive mattress
Learn more about different types of posture.
Structural problems
Some structural problems of the spine may also result in back pain. These can includeTrusted Source:
Ruptured disks: Disks cushion each vertebra in the spine. If the disk ruptures, it exerts more pressure on a nerve, resulting in back pain. Sometimes, this pain may travel through the buttock and down the back of a leg. This is known as sciatica.
Bulging disks: Similarly, a disk that bulges from its place between the bones can put pressure on a nerve. Sometimes, this may also result in sciatica.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can cause problems with the joints in the hips, lower back, and other areas of the body. Sometimes, the space around the spinal cord narrows. Health experts call this spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis: This causes the bones to become brittle and porous. When this leads to fractures, osteoporosis may cause back pain.
Curvature of the spine: Back pain can occur if the spine curves too much. An example is scoliosis, in which the spine curves to the side.
Other causes
Other factors that may lead to back pain include:
kidney stones
menstrual cramps
endometriosis
pregnancy
infections of the spine, bladder, kidneys, or reproductive system
shingles, which lies dormant in nerves and can reactivate, causing a painful rash along the nerve path
cauda equina syndrome
cancer of the spine
Authored by:
Shravya

Posted on: #iteachmsu

Smoke test article, What is causing my back pain, and how can I remedy it? -- edited
Common causesTrusted Source of back pain include:
Strains an...
Strains an...
Authored by:
ASSESSING LEARNING
Wednesday, Apr 23, 2025
Posted on: #iteachmsu
DISCIPLINARY CONTENT
A heart attack occurs when an artery that sends blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked.
Embedded video URL:Normal text:
A heart attack occurs when an artery that sends blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked. Fatty, cholesterol-containing deposits build up over time, forming plaques in the heart's arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. The clot can block arteries, causing a heart attack. During a heart attack, a lack of blood flow causes the tissue in the heart muscle to die.
A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction.
Prompt treatment is needed for a heart attack to prevent death. Call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you might be having a heart attack.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a heart attack vary. Some people have mild symptoms. Others have severe symptoms. Some people have no symptoms.
Common heart attack symptoms include:
Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or aching
Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper belly
Cold sweat
Fatigue
Heartburn or indigestion
Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Women may have atypical symptoms such as brief or sharp pain felt in the neck, arm or back. Sometimes, the first symptom sign of a heart attack is sudden cardiac arrest.
Some heart attacks strike suddenly. But many people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. Chest pain or pressure (angina) that keeps happening and doesn't go away with rest may be an early warning sign. Angina is caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the heart.
A heart attack occurs when an artery that sends blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked. Fatty, cholesterol-containing deposits build up over time, forming plaques in the heart's arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. The clot can block arteries, causing a heart attack. During a heart attack, a lack of blood flow causes the tissue in the heart muscle to die.
A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction.
Prompt treatment is needed for a heart attack to prevent death. Call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you might be having a heart attack.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a heart attack vary. Some people have mild symptoms. Others have severe symptoms. Some people have no symptoms.
Common heart attack symptoms include:
Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or aching
Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper belly
Cold sweat
Fatigue
Heartburn or indigestion
Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Women may have atypical symptoms such as brief or sharp pain felt in the neck, arm or back. Sometimes, the first symptom sign of a heart attack is sudden cardiac arrest.
Some heart attacks strike suddenly. But many people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. Chest pain or pressure (angina) that keeps happening and doesn't go away with rest may be an early warning sign. Angina is caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the heart.
Authored by:
Vijaya
Posted on: #iteachmsu
A heart attack occurs when an artery that sends blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked.
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A heart attack occurs when...
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DISCIPLINARY CONTENT
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Posted on: Smoke test group by venturit team
NAVIGATING CONTEXT
Edited: Natural disasters can have devastating consequences, including: Loss of life and injury:
Natural disasters can have devastating consequences, including:
Loss of life and injury:
Human casualties are a tragic outcome of many natural disasters.
Property damage:
Buildings, infrastructure, and personal belongings can be destroyed or damaged.
Economic disruption:
Disasters can disrupt local economies, causing significant financial losses.
Environmental damage:
Natural disasters can lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and other environmental problems.
Importance of Preparedness:
While natural disasters are inevitable, being prepared can significantly reduce their impact:
Early warning systems: Timely warnings allow communities to evacuate and take necessary precautions.
Building codes and regulations: Stronger infrastructure can better withstand natural hazards.
Community awareness and education: Educating the public about disaster preparedness is crucial.
Emergency response plans: Having well-defined plans for responding to disasters can save lives and minimize damage.
Loss of life and injury:
Human casualties are a tragic outcome of many natural disasters.
Property damage:
Buildings, infrastructure, and personal belongings can be destroyed or damaged.
Economic disruption:
Disasters can disrupt local economies, causing significant financial losses.
Environmental damage:
Natural disasters can lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and other environmental problems.
Importance of Preparedness:
While natural disasters are inevitable, being prepared can significantly reduce their impact:
Early warning systems: Timely warnings allow communities to evacuate and take necessary precautions.
Building codes and regulations: Stronger infrastructure can better withstand natural hazards.
Community awareness and education: Educating the public about disaster preparedness is crucial.
Emergency response plans: Having well-defined plans for responding to disasters can save lives and minimize damage.
Posted by:
Scarlet Ethan Edien

Posted on: Smoke test group by venturit team

Edited: Natural disasters can have devastating consequences, including: Loss of life and injury:
Natural disasters can have devastating consequences, including:
...
...
Posted by:
NAVIGATING CONTEXT
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025
Posted on: #iteachmsu
NAVIGATING CONTEXT
Article with Large text + table + URL in it's description
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is something many of us struggle with. Effective time management allows us to make the most of our day, accomplishing tasks more quickly and prioritizing those that will make the most impact.
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.Table:
Name
Role
Rohit
Developer
Chathuri
Manager
Vijaya
QA
URL: https://www.usa.edu/blog/time-management-techniques/https://youtu.be/iONDebHX9qk?si=Pevl6sZNfq0i3x9y
Different people need different effective time management strategies. If you’re a graduate student, you may choose to manage your time in a different way than someone who is a working mother. If you’re a visual person, you may prefer a color-coded calendar over a written to do list.
Figuring out a process that works for you, whatever that may be, is key to creating your most efficient life. To help you improve poor time management, we’ve explored nine popular techniques, from the 80/20 rule to the “eat that frog” method. We’ve outlined what they are, how to implement them, and the types of people who most benefit from them. And, check out our infographic below that includes a flowchart to help you decide which time management process will work the best for you.
9 Types of Time Management Techniques
Achieving work life balance is possible with effective time management. Learning time management tips will not only help you manage your time better but also boost personal productivity. With that said, here are some time management strategies you can try:
1. Pareto Analysis (a.k.a., the 80/20 rule)
The 80/20 rule is a technique created by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. It’s the idea that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes. The goal of Pareto analysis is to help you prioritize tasks that are most effective at solving problems.
How it works:
List some of the problems you are facing. For example, maybe your grades are slipping.
Identify the root cause of each problem. Maybe your grades are slipping because you spend too much time on social media or any other sort of distraction.
Assign a score to each problem: Assign higher numbers to more important problems
Group problems together by cause: Group together all the problems caused by spending too much time on social media.
Add up the score of each group: The group with the highest score is the issue you should work on first.
Take action.
Types of people who will benefit from Pareto Analysis:
Problem solvers
Analytical thinkers
2. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was created by entrepreneur and author Francesco Cirillo. This technique uses a timer to break down your work into intervals. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, named after the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo created.
How it works:
Choose a task you need to get done.
Set a timer (e.g., for 25 mins).
Focus on the task at hand.
When the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
Take a short break: Take a break for about three to five minutes. Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, do something non-work-related to give your brain a break.
Repeat steps two to five: Once you have completed this process four times, you can begin to take longer breaks (20–30 mins).
Types of people that will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique:
Creative thinkers
Those who feel burnt out from work/school
The Pomodoro technique doesn’t just teach your time management; it also teaches you in setting goals and how to achieve them. You’ll be able to better stick to your daily schedule and weekly schedule.
3. Eisenhower Matrix
Before Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army as an Allied Forces Commander during World War II. He was faced with difficult decisions every day that led him to invent what is now called the Eisenhower matrix, or the urgent-important matrix.
How it works:
Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent, as shown in the graphic below. Urgent tasks are those we feel need to get done immediately. Important tasks are those that contribute to your long term goals or values. Ideally, you should only work on tasks in the top two quadrants—the other tasks, you should delegate or delete.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eisenhower Matrix:
People in leadership positions
Critical thinkers
4. Parkinson’s Law
British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson became famous for the phrase “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, the amount of time you give yourself to complete a specific task is the amount of time it will take you to complete that task.
How it works:
This is not a time management technique per se. It’s a law that, when understood, can be applied as one of the most beneficial time management methods out there—but you will have to put in the work. That means working more efficiently in shorter bursts of time. Here are some time management tips:
Try working without a computer charger. This will force you to finish a project before your computer dies.
Get it done early. Instead of finishing an essay by midnight, try to get it done by noon.
Set a deadline. Give yourself a set time to do something—and then cut it in half.
Limit time for tasks. Give yourself only 20 minutes in the morning to answer emails.
Types of people this works for:
Procrastinators
People who work well under pressure
5. Time Blocking Method
Inventor Elon Musk is known for being productive. He manages his time so efficiently that he can work over 80 hours a week and still make time for himself. What’s his secret? Time blocking.
How it works:
From the moment you wake up, assign each time block in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from eating breakfast to studying for a test. Below are the steps Elon Musk uses to block his time:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. On the left, write down each hour of the day and create blocks of time such as half-hour or hour chunks.
Estimate the time it’s going to take to complete each of your tasks and fit them into your time blocks.
Add buffer times in between each time block to allow for adjustments during the day.
Types of people this works for:
Working students or parents
Analytical thinkers
6. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Created by author David Allen, this process helps you get things done by recording tasks on paper and then breaking them down into actionable work items.
How it works:
Capture the actions that have your attention: These actions are tasks that can relate to anything from work to school to your personal life.
Clarify what they mean: Decide whether the tasks that have your attention are actionable or not. If an item is not actionable, ignore it for now. If the item is actionable, do it, delegate it, or set it aside.
Organize your actions: Prioritize your to do list according to what you need to get done when.
Reflect: Review your list of actions frequently to determine your next priority. Cross off tasks you have accomplished and update your list.
Engage: Take the actions or smaller tasks you can complete right now.
Types of people who will benefit from the GTD method:
People who struggle to focus on one thing at a time
People who feel overwhelmed in their daily lives
7. Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
“RPM” stands for “rapid planning method” or “result, purpose, and massive action plan.” It was developed by motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a way to train your brain to focus on a vision of what you want so you can make it real.
How it works:
Capturing: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish this week.
Chunking: “Chunk” your tasks together by commonalities. Which items are personal? School-related? Career-focused?
Create your own RPM blocks: On the top of a new sheet of paper, make three columns: the task, the result you want from completing that task, and your purpose for completing it. Next, list the actions you can take to get there.
Create an empowering role for yourself: If you’re a student, you might call yourself the “Study Queen.” Anything that will get you jazzed about completing your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the RPM:
Working students or parents
People who have long-term goals
8. Pickle Jar Theory
This theory helps you figure out what is useful and what is not useful in your daily life. It allows you to plan tasks with time to spare and set priorities for your day.
How it works:
Imagine a pickle jar full of sand, pebbles, and rocks. The sand is at the bottom and the rocks sit at the top.
The sand: This represents disrupting elements of your day, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.
The pebbles: This represents tasks that need to be completed, but can be done on another day or by someone else.
The rocks: These are the most important tasks that need to get done today.
Begin by thinking about how your tasks for the day would fit into the above categories. Then make a task list starting with the rocks and ending with sand (if time permits). Include an honest time estimate next to each. Try not to plan more than six hours of an eight-hour working day. This will leave buffer time for the pebbles and sand.
Types of people who will benefit from the Pickle Jar theory:
Visual people
Concrete thinkers
9. Eat That Frog Technique
This technique is named after a Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Start your day by doing the most onerous tasks first and getting them out of the way.
How it works:
Get clear on a goal. What do you want to achieve most?
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
Compile a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal.
Organize this list in order of priority. The most important items are probably the most difficult. These are your “frogs.”
Take action. If you have more than one frog on your plate, eat the nastiest one first.
Repeat this cycle every day so that you’re always doing something that will push you toward your goal.
Types of people who will benefit from the Eat That Frog technique:
Abstract thinkers
People with long-term goals
Choosing a Time Management Technique That Works for You
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working student or a parent going back to school, better time management skills are vital to living a balanced life. If you have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, try using Parkinson’s Law or the eat that frog method. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, try the Pomodoro technique of working more intensely in short intervals.
Mastering time management will set you up for success in all areas of your life and will help you avoid test anxiety when finals roll around. At USAHS, we emphasize supporting our students in their personal and professional lives. We help you develop the tools and additional resources you need to succeed in our graduate degree programs.Table:
Name
Role
Rohit
Developer
Chathuri
Manager
Vijaya
QA
URL: https://www.usa.edu/blog/time-management-techniques/https://youtu.be/iONDebHX9qk?si=Pevl6sZNfq0i3x9y
Posted by:
Venturit Super Admin
Posted on: #iteachmsu
Article with Large text + table + URL in it's description
Text:Time management—how we choose to use and organize our time—is ...
Posted by:
NAVIGATING CONTEXT
Thursday, May 9, 2024