What, of all things in the world, is the longest and the shortest, the quickest and the slowest, the most divisible and the most extended, the most neglected and the most regretted, without which nothing can be done, which devours everything that is little and enlivens all that is great?
“Time!” Zadig answered without hesitation. He continued:
“Nothing is longer, since it is the measure of eternity; nothing is shorter, since we lack it for all our projects. Nothing is slower to one who waits, nothing quicker to one who enjoys. It extends infinitely in greatness; it is infinitely divisible in minuteness. All men neglect it; all regret its loss. Nothing is done without it. It buries in oblivion all that is unworthy of posterity, and it confers immortality upon all things that are great.”
Zadig was spot on!
But why does it always feel like there’s never enough time?
You start your day with great intentions, but before you know it, hours slip away—lost to endless emails and messages that flood in, urgent calls that disrupt your focus, and unexpected requests that hijack your schedule. And so on! By bedtime, you’re exhausted, yet so much remains unfinished. And as you lie in bed, you make a familiar promise to yourself: “Tomorrow, I’ll be more productive.” But deep down, you know tomorrow will be just like today—rushed, overwhelming, and frustrating.
You’re not alone.
I’ve seen first-hand how poor time management can drain energy, derail ambitions, and leave even the most capable individuals feeling stuck. Time is one of our most valuable resources, yet it is often misused or wasted due to poor planning, distractions, or overwhelming responsibilities. Millions of people struggle daily with time management, feeling trapped in a cycle of stress, unfinished tasks, and the nagging sense that there’s never enough time. This is the cumulative effect of poor time management spanning long periods.
The good news? Time management is a skill.
It can be learned. It can be practised. It can be perfected.
But most of us were never consciously exposed to it or adequately taught how to manage time as part of our upbringing.
In today’s world, where deadlines are relentless, notifications never stop buzzing, and work-life balance seems like a myth, time feels like the scarcest resource we have. But here’s the truth:
It’s not about having more time; it’s about using the time you already have—more effectively.
Think about it—everyone, from the world’s busiest CEOs to stay-at-home parents, students, and freelancers, gets the same 24 hours in a day.
The difference lies in how those hours are managed.
Thomas Edison once remarked, “Time is really the only capital that any human being has and the thing that he can least afford to waste or lose.” His friend, Henry Ford, echoed a similar sentiment, stating, “It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.” Adding to this wisdom, Jimmy Buffett put it simply: “Time ain’t for wastin’, no; there’s no time for that.”
There are things you love to do and would want to do more of because they make you happy; there are others you don’t enjoy doing but you necessarily must do them, for one reason or another, especially for survival. Good time management will allow you to do—in less time than usual—the mandatory things you don’t necessarily enjoy so that you can have more time for the things you enjoy doing. Imagine the possibilities and the benefits thereof! You’ll have more time for your family and leisure. You’ll have adequate time to eat well, exercise and stay healthy. You’ll not experience the excessive daily emotional and physical stress many others go through. And many more!
The importance of effective time management cannot be overstated, especially in a world that demands more from individuals than ever before. Effective time management helps you to:
✔ Get more done in less time.
✔ Prioritize tasks effectively.
✔ Eliminate distractions and time-wasters.
✔ Achieve work-life balance.
✔ Sustain long-term productivity without burnout.
✔ Free up time for what truly matters.
✔ Reduce stress and gain a sense of control.
✔ Achieve goals faster and with greater ease.
✔ Boost self-confidence and personal growth.
✔ Seize more opportunities.
✔ Improve decision-making.
✔ Enhance focus and mental clarity.
✔ Create flexibility in your schedule.
✔ Experience greater life satisfaction.
Your success in time management will have the greatest impact on your happiness in life.
