Time management - Time
Time
Historical view
We are never in a position to control time itself only to manage what we have in the best manner possible.
One problem with managing your own time well is how others view the importance of time.
For example, if senior managers or other members of your family value time in a particular way they may be less appreciative of how you manage yours if it conflicts with their goals and values.
Many companies and hence their senior management value ‘time means profit’ very highly and may consider any apparent disorganised individual as an impediment to maximising profit. This view of trying to utilise every scrap of time and putting people under pressure to improve productivity may not be the answer.
Passing time
If we are always busy filling time how can we be creative without time to think?
Many years ago people were not expected to think, especially when manufacturing was a stepwise process. All managers wanted workers to do was their part of of the process and go home. They were not expected to contribute ideas as this was the purpose of senior management. It was all rather automated.
When you carry out a task or wish to think creatively on a personal level it is not unusual to play music in the background to make the activity more pleasing.
As adults we can be hemmed in by rules and regulations trying to make the best use of our time. As children we were often more creative and expressive whilst paying little heed to rules and proprieties.
This rush to do more things in less time can lead to severe health problems.
You can often enjoy your self more in any task if you throw out the rules.
Quality time
The way we look at time depends upon your perspective and what you expect from it. If someone manufactures chairs rapidly and you want cheap chairs that are functional you may love this method of producing them. How can you compare this use of time to Chippendale producing high quality pieces?
One person will value the quantity that can be produced in a given time period and another will value the quality. The latter may not finish the work until completely satisfied with no real concern for a deadline.
Culture
The work ethic in Japan has always been high with extended hours being the norm for a long time.
This is not reflected in many other countries.
This view of time is based on opposing outlooks of the best use of time.
In general.
It is characterised by predictability, measured, stepwise and like clock time.
PolychronicCharacterised by intangibles, instinctive and complex.
These are covered in more detail separately elsewhere, see ‘monochronic time’ and ‘polychronic time’.