TIME MANAGEMENT: A Misleading Misnomer?

The concept of Time Management is, without doubt, one of the most popular themes in self-development courses and motivational lectures. 

The idea has gained such widespread acceptance that it features prominently in many academic course contents. Outside of academia, the relevance attached to time management is evidenced by the many invitations given to speakers to address the subject in different organizations. 

Perhaps, you've sat in a meeting where a speaker dealt eloquently with the topic and highlighted a miscellany of tips you have to imbibe to manage time effectively. Guess what? You are not alone. I have also been in many such meetings and listened to many passionate preachers of this idea. 

However, prolonged reflections on the definitions of time management have led me to wonder if the whole concept has not been given the wrong designation and, by extension, misled most of us. 

Let me issue a disclaimer at this point: I am convinced of the essence of the idea and what it seeks to achieve ultimately. My goal in broaching this topic is to provoke us to ponder and stimulate a synthesis of the substance the notion posits. 

These points premised, let’s look at a few definitions of the idea of time management.

The practice of using the time that you have available in a useful and effective way, especially in your work.

- Cambridge Online Dictionary 

Time management is the process of planning and controlling how much time to spend on specific activities. 

- corporatefinanaceinstitute.com

Time Management refers to managing time effectively so that the right time is allocated to the right activity.

- managementstudyguide.com

We could go on and on but I hope we both find three definitions a fair representation. Now, even if you take a cursory look at these definitions, you realize that all three emphasize that we do something. The onus is on us, the individuals, to plan, control and allocate. Time remains constant. 

Interestingly, you find that none of these definitions gestures towards the idea that time as an element in itself is manageable. If you find any, please do well to share with me.

So, my opinion is this: the idea of time management is a misnomer since time as an element cannot be managed. At best, we can manage ourselves well to take advantage of the time we have and the opportunities it offers. Throughout history, from Athens to Zanzibar, every individual gets 60 seconds a minute, 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Period. It's non-negotiable. 

Honestly, I make this submission with timid boldness because of how long the idea of time management has been touted. Nevertheless, I do it as an expression of intellectual independence we must all strive to cultivate. We need to ask questions about everything and boldly summon every creed and concept to appear before the judgment-seat of reason. 

Thankfully, while exploring the ideas some scholars have expressed about time management, I found a few that compel quotation. 

Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.

- Zig Ziglar

The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.

- C.S. Lewis

For me, therefore, especially as we have entered a new year with unspoken ambitions and targets, I think the secret to excelling lays in the fixity of purpose. We must always strive to do as we plan, limit distractions and take responsibility for our actions. Until we change our habits as individuals, we leave every essential thing unchanged. 

I look forward to hearing your perspective on this matter. Let's get talking.