Feb
04
2016
Time: Make it or take it? That is the question
By Gill Dandy.
I came across a lovely old English poem a while ago entitled ‘Take Time,’ and it got me thinking about our approach to time management in the frenetic 24/7 culture we live and work in.
There never seems to be enough time to do what we need to do; have to do; or heaven forbid want to do. We seem to be constantly bombarded by messages – and people - telling us that if we can’t find the time to do what needs to be done we have to make the time. And, if it’s really important, we will make time for it – or have to deal with the consequences.
What struck me on reading the poem is that maybe we need to change our way of thinking – and our vocabulary – from Making time to Taking time. And, that in doing so our approach to Time Management might take on a whole new and arguably more successful perspective.
The dictionary defines the verb ‘to make’ as …to form something…. to cause sometime to come about.
In the context of making time, this suggests that we can create, or fabricate time. But of course we all know this is nonsense - time is a finite resource. We all have the same 168 hours each week that everybody else has.
‘To take’ on the other hand, which is defined as…to lay hold of something…to reach for….to take possession of; suggests making a conscious decision. It suggests some level of control, and personal responsibility. We decide to take the bus, or the car to work – we are not made to travel by bus or car.
And its this attitude to time management that I’d like to suggest is a less stressful and productive approach and ultimately more healthy all round. Thinking about being able to take time rather than having to make time puts a whole new perspective on the issue.
Which situation would you rather be in? One in which you have to fabricate, create or make enough time in your busy schedule, with all the resulting pressures, to get the job done. Or, one where you take time - make a conscious decision - to plan your workload, think about what needs to be done, how long it should take and what you want to achieve.
Given that we all have the same number of hours in the day, how you spend them is determined by what you think is most important – so Take Time, and Enjoy!
Take time to work – it is the price of success
Take time to think – it is the source of power
Take time to play – it is the secret of perpetual youth
Take time to read - it is the foundation of wisdom
Take time to be friendly – it is the road to happiness
Take time to dream – it is hitching your wagon to a star
Take time to love and be loved – it is the privilege of the Gods
Take time to look around – a day’s too short to be selfish
Take time to laugh – it is the music of the soul
Author Unknown
Gill Dandy is a regular trainer on the Centre's Open Programme courses. She specialises in communications, personal development and administration courses. These include Presentations skills, Communication in the workplace, Time management for managers and The Executive PA.
As well as training on the Centre's Open Programme courses Gill also runs bespoke in-house training and one-to-one coaching sessions.
