Time Is on Your Side
Having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go before my
capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for the class
and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written! How was I
going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
1
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
2
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
3
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
4
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
5
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
6
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
7
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
8
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
9
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
10
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
11
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
12
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
13
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
14
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
15
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
16
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
17
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
18
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
19
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
20
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
21
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
22
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
23
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
24
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
25
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
26
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
27
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
28
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
29
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
30
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
31
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
32
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
33
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
34
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
35
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
36
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
37
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
38
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
39
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
40
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
41
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
42
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
43
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
44
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
45
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
46
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
47
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
48
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
49
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
50
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
51
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
52
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
53
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
54
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
55
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
56
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
57
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
58
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
59
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
60
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
61
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
62
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
63
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
64
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
65
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
66
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
67
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
68
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
69
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
70
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
71
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
72
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
73
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
74
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
75
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
76
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
77
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals. There I was,
having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go before my
capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for the class
and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written! How was I
going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
78
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
79
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
80
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
81
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
82
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
83
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
84
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
85
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
86
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
87
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
88
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
89
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
90
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
91
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
92
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
93
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
94
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
95
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
96
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
97
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
98
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
99
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
100
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
101
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
102
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
103
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
104
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
105
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
106
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
107
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
108
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
109
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
110
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
111
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
112
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
113
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
114
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
115
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
116
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
117
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
118
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
119
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
120
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
121
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
122
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
123
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
124
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
125
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
126
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
127
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
128
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
129
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
130
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
131
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down
next to the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once
you’ve crossed the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to
success for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique
and provides a starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these
methods and ideas are not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover
which components of each best fit your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can
develop a personal management plan that is best suited to your needs and goals.
There I was, having just eaten dinner and realizing that I had less than twenty-four hours to go
before my capstone paper was due for my History of Africa class. This paper was the only grade for
the class and all I had done was some research. I still had thirty pages that needed to be written!
How was I going to get this paper done?
I came to the realization that I was going to have to skip some classes and work through the night. I
kept my roommate up with the click clack of the keyboard and worked through the night with
breaks only to replenish the caffeine in my system. Morning came and I still had work to do.
I contacted my other professors letting them know that something came up and I wouldn’t be in
class. Thankfully, I was in good standing in my other classes and could afford to miss one class. I
snuck in a twenty minute nap and kept working. I finall finishe about thirty minutes before the
deadline. Exhausted and not terribly proud of myself, I trudged my way to class to drop of the paper
and committed to never working like this again. After all, there was a small likelihood that I would
get a decent grade; I was hoping for just a C to keep my GPA respectable. I went back to my room
and slept for a long time. Imagine my amazement when I received my grade for the paper (and
ultimately the class) and there was an A- staring me back in the face! How could this be possible?
My experience illustrates a very important lesson. Best practices do not always yield the best
results. Logic would tell us that to manage a thirty-page paper would require the student to spread
out all the tasks over the semester and do a little bit of work over a long period of time as opposed
to a lot of work over a short period of time. The problem is that time management is a personal
thing. Everyone works differently and excels under different circumstances
The important thing to remember about time management is that there is not one method. Everyone
must find what works best for her or him. There are some strategies that have been used for years
and others that are new. While there are multiple perspectives on how best to set personal and
professional goals, there are three general themes that influenc the development of personal time
management plans: identifying priorities, managing time, and managing energy.
The concept of time management is actually personal management. Where you are going or what
you are trying to accomplish is more important than how fast you get there. Personal management
demands organizing and executing around priorities. One thing to watch out for on your college
journey is something called time famine. Time famine is the feeling of having too much to do and
not enough time to do it. This happens often to college students and without warning. This was
certainly the case with my paper. I certainly felt overwhelmed with thirty pages to write and not a
lot of time available to write it in. However, there’s one really helpful aspect of time—you always
know how much you have in a day. You know that in any given day, you have twenty-four hours to
132
accomplish everything you need to do for that day. With that knowledge in hand it becomes an easy
task to make smart choices when planning both the schedule for the day, as well as the energy
needed to complete the tasks.
The objective of successful time management is to increase and optimize controllable time. Once
you have a schedule made, don’t change it unless something of some serious urgency comes up.
However, while managing time is challenging enough, there’s another concept out there about the
management of your energy. Think of energy as money and time as what you’d like to buy. If
you’re too tired (or energy broke) to be productive, it’s hard to accomplish (buy) everything on
your schedule. Luckily, at the age of twenty-two, I had lots of energy and stamina to pull an all-
nighter and finish the paper. If I tried to do that today at thirty-five, I would be asleep on my
keyboard after a few hours. In order to always have enough of time currency, it’s important that you
are physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused on your purpose.
While an understanding of these general principles is essential for the development of sound time
and energy management strategies, it is also important to focus on practical strategies that can be
implemented to improve the college experience. The first recommendation is to know who you are
and how you work. In this step, you need to examine all aspects of your current time management
skills. Take a look at personal practices such as where you work, how you organize information and
course materials, how current and future assignments and projects are prioritized, how
commitments are balanced, and lastly, how you prevent burnout. Once you have taken stock in your
current practices, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to do to improve.
Even today, I try to space out large projects and assignments and find that I am not as focused or
motivated. I struggle to complete the task and when I do, it never feels like I did it well. However,
when I revert back to that practice of waiting until the last minute, I am focused, energized, and
motivated and the results have been very positive. In my own doctoral program, I have begun
assignments a little too close to the deadlines but they ultimately get completed and I continue to be
amazed at the high marks I get back. What does that tell me? It tells me I thrive in high-pressure
situations where I have to focus intensely on one thing and stay focused for a long period of time. Is
that method for everyone? Certainly not, but it works for some and it may or may not work for you.
You must examine your own work habits and practices and look back at times that you have done
well and times you have done poorly and identify habits that led to those results.
The next strategy is to create a personal time management method to help prioritize projects and
activities. Try to identify and eliminate activities that may detract from effectivel balancing your
roles and responsibilities. In any given day, what are the most important things that need to be
completed? What can be eliminated from your schedule that provides you the time you need to be
successful? I like to think of this as the “five-year-ol plan.” My five-year-ol loves to play in the
morning as her Mom and I are getting ready for work. The problem is that we need her to get ready
for school, too. We put a plan in place that allows her to play in the morning, only after she is
completely ready for school. You need time to play, have fun, and socialize, but it should not come
at the expense of higher priority tasks.
The next recommendation is to focus on the process of energy management. Create goals focused
on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional renewal. These goals can include, but are not limited
to: getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, taking small breaks during work sessions, eating
healthy, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, having a positive attitude, and practicing
positive self-talk. Anytime I know I have a big work task or school task to complete, I am in the
mindset of energy conversation—my energy. I make sure to get a good night sleep, eat my
Wheaties, and think good vibes. These habits allow me to complete projects in a way that works for
me.
133
Lastly, set up a reward system. One of the great things about creating prioritized lists of things that
need to be done is the sense of accomplishment when you cross that item off the list. Once you’ve
identifie your major goals and tasks, identify a reward for each of these goals that provides an even
greater sense of accomplishment. The reward should be personal and should
134
encourage you to continue your good habits. What are the things you love to do? Write them down next to
the major tasks and learn to practice delayed gratification by only doing those things once you’ve crossed
the item off.
In conclusion, practical and tangible strategies for time and energy management can be the key to success
for any undertaking. While each concept related to time and energy management is unique and provides a
starting point for you to begin to develop strong personal management skills, these methods and ideas are
not one-size-fits-all, and you need to explore the strategies and discover which components of each best fit
your lifestyle and circumstances. Through this exercise, you can develop a personal management plan that
is best suited to your needs and goals.
135
