For both the time management professional and for the beginner, the same things occur but the professional has already expected that surprises happen and has made time allowances and preparations for it. The beginner also has to make allowances as expecting things to always run smooth can only result in frustration. Implementing Effective Time Management Program The success of any time management program is to challenge everything that could possibly waste time and change what can possibly be changed and start from there. Common time and effort wasters include habitual tasks, meetings especially those that are targeted at crisis management, and responsibilities that are handed down to the rank and file employees from managers. Another choice is Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The advantage of a book is its cost and you can learn it at your own pace. Formal time management training can also be resorted to when you want to have a seminar independent from the office. Whatever the cost and time consideration gaining a course in time management can never be expensive when the benefits that will be derived from it will affect a lifetime. Respect you decision in planning and you are on your way. Delegate. Be realistic about the things that you can and can not do. Delegate the things that you must. Floating work There are tasks that you can do anywhere that doing them now will only complicate your main task at hand. Recognize them and do it on your flexible time. Consider this weekly time allowance: - Everybody have 168 hours in one week. - Sleep = 7 hours for the average adult. Given one hour plus or minus, sleep eats that much time. 7 hours x 7 days = 49 hours - Lecture and lab time per week = 25 hours - Personal necessities (eating, grooming, hygiene, etc) = 2 hours a day x 7 = 14 hours - Study time at one hour per subject (average) = 25 hours - Other students will need short naps between classes. Simply put, it could be the difficulty at spotting things that eats up time before it is realized. After the training and seminars that have been attended, it then would be easier if time management is seen not as regimenting a lifestyle but that of controlling it. Because schedules can not be avoided, unpleasant tasks can not be often delayed, and the rising of efficiency and productivity is the language of today's world.