Creating a record-keeping document is very useful to manage time. MissionSelf here provides you with a free time management log to get productive results at work.
“I am definitely going to take a course on time management… just as soon as I can work it into my schedule.” ― Louis E. Boone
Not a surprise, that is exactly the tag line of professionals in the 21st century. Time management is a crucial part of our day-to-day life. In this bustling and booming nuclear era, everyone seems to be on the run, and practically everything, at home or at office, seems disorganized. Twenty four hours do not seem to be sufficient to work at office, relax at home, or even plan an outing. Particularly in the workplace, with pressure co-existing 24X7, tasks go haywire with deadlines surmounting your desk. Well then, how about you learning a bit of time management? No no, you do not have to take a course, just follow simple tips, create a log, schedule tasks, and follow the list rigidly. That’s about it! The following article explains to you how you can manage time efficiently at your workplace so that the end-result is productive.
Printable Log Templates
Create a Time Management Log
- A log is a document that is used for maintaining records.
- A time management log would outline your tasks for the day and the time allotted for each.
- You could also add comments and record if you took extra time.
- The simplest way to create a log would be to use the humble notepad and pen, but considering that we belong to the tech-savvy generation, we would use the laptop or the mobile phone or a tablet.
- Regardless of whatever you use, make sure to jot down your tasks properly.
- You can also find many online time management software which can help you, but creating a simple log of your own would be considerably easier.
- A log is not limited for the day alone, you can incorporate some more discipline in your life by creating a log for the whole week, sometimes even a month (okay, may be that is going too far).
- Your weekly log would ideally include the timings too, sometimes, you can just create a weekly to-do-list and update the timings on a daily basis.
- The following paragraphs will outline some steps that will help you create a log.
- Have separate columns/rows for recording your timings.
- These will vary as per your convenience; you could have time allotted on an hourly basis (giving the from-to framework) or you can write down only the time (say, 9:00, 11:00, etc.).
- You can update the sheet as per your task variation.
- Each and every task for the day needs to be recorded.
- This could range from something trivial like filling up a sheet to attending a video conference call.
- As and when you add new activities, your hour column will change.
- This is provided you are completing the log as and when you perform work. Some people prefer this kind of scheduling.
- If you have already created a log with a time frame, say 10-11, and you perform extra tasks within this frame, you can add columns within this cell.
- This is important since it gives you an idea of how rigidly you have followed your schedule.
- If there is a task you could not complete for some reason, it should be noted here.
- If you have some special result associated with the task, that should be documented as well.
- If you have time left over after completing your tasks, note it down.
- The next time, you can plan your log accordingly, with changes in time and task allotments.
- If you have wasted time for work other than those scheduled, record that too.
- This will teach you how to manage extra time.
- At the end of the day, analyze your log.
- Give priority to important work first.
- Leftover time can be utilized for more effective tasks.
- If you observe a pattern in the time required to fulfill certain tasks, allot the hours accordingly, the next time.
Time Management Templates
For Students (Daily)
This section outlines the sample of student time management log. After all, they need to be efficient enough to manage time as well, given that they have so many extra-curricular activities besides studies.
Time | Activities to be done |
6 | |
6:30 | |
7:30 | |
8 | |
8:30 | |
9 | |
10:30 | |
11 | |
12:30 | |
1:30 | |
3 | |
5 | |
6 | |
7 | |
9 | |
10 |
For Students (Weekly)
Similar to a daily log, a weekly log is also outlined.
Monday | |||||||||||
6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-11 | 11-1 | 2-4 | 4-5 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-10 |
Tuesday | |||||||||||
6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-11 | 11-1 | 2-4 | 4-5 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-10 |
Wednesday | |||||||||||
6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-11 | 11-1 | 2-4 | 4-5 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-10 |
Thursday | |||||||||||
6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-11 | 11-1 | 2-4 | 4-5 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-10 |
Friday | |||||||||||
6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-11 | 11-1 | 2-4 | 4-5 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-10 |
Saturday | |||||||||||
6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-11 | 11-1 | 2-4 | 4-5 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-10 |
Sunday | |||||||||||
6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-11 | 11-1 | 2-4 | 4-5 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 7-8 | 8-9 | 9-10 |
For Professionals (Daily)
For professionals, every minute of the day counts (applies to all of us, for that matter). Every minute at work is piled up with never-ending tasks, like writing reports, attending meetings, conferences, giving presentations, answering work-related mails, etc. It would be very helpful if you write down your activities and allot some time for each. You can then evaluate how much time you took for each, eventually, you will find that your workload decreases and efficiency is on the rise. Check out the template below.
Sr. No | Activities | From | To | Comments |
1 | ||||
2 | ||||
3 | ||||
4 | ||||
5 | ||||
6 | ||||
7 | ||||
8 | ||||
9 | ||||
10 | ||||
11 | ||||
12 |
For Professionals (Weekly)
Working people can create a weekly log for convenience. This will help them incorporate all their tasks and will take off their minds regarding any planning, a schedule has already been created for a week.
Time/Day | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
9-10 | |||||
10-11 | |||||
11-1 | |||||
1:30-3 | |||||
3-5 | |||||
5-7 |
Alternatively, you can use the design below. It is much clearer for a per-day analysis.
Monday | |||||
9-10 | 10-11 | 11-1 | 1:30-3 | 3-5 | 5-7 |
Tuesday | |||||
9-10 | 10-11 | 11-1 | 1:30-3 | 3-5 | 5-7 |
Wednesday | |||||
9-10 | 10-11 | 11-1 | 1:30-3 | 3-5 | 5-7 |
Thursday | |||||
9-10 | 10-11 | 11-1 | 1:30-3 | 3-5 | 5-7 |
Friday | |||||
9-10 | 10-11 | 11-1 | 1:30-3 | 3-5 | 5-7 |
The Importance
- A time management log helps you organize your schedule much more efficiently, because you know exactly, when what is to be done.
- It gives you an idea of what is important and to be listed on priority.
- You will begin to work faster than the allotted time duration, within a few weeks of structuring and following your log.
- Your professional life will get much more organized and efficient, and this will result in you giving maximum output.
- You will learn to cut down on unnecessary activities, and give more time to the necessary ones.
The time factor is crucial in our personal as well as professional lives. Creating logs and lists as above will help simplify our problems to a great extent. Believe it or not, research has proved that this kind of planning also helps us at a psychological level. Take cue from some of the templates displayed above and create a systematic schedule for everything. You would be surprised at the amount of free time you get.