How many times have you heard someone complain. "I just don't have enough time"? The truth is that everyone has exactly the same amount of time. Everyone has 60 minutes in each hour and 24 hours in each day. Yet we all know people who seem to make the most of their time. Often, it is the busiest people who can take on new jobs and get them done. These people seem to have time to do all the things they must do and still have time to do the things they want to do. Many people ask when is the time change.

The reason is that these people, although they have only the same amount of time as everyone else, have learned to manage their time. Time management is a skill that anyone can master. By learning to manage your time, you can catch up on chores and schoolwork—and still have plenty of time left for sports, hobbies, or simply relaxing. Many people ask when is the time change.

Finding Time

The first step in time management is proving to yourself that you can find time in your life, no matter how busy you are. Try keeping a "time log" for a few days to discover exactly how your time is spent each day. Divide your log into the following categories, leaving some space between each item: Before Breakfast, Breakfast Time, Breakfast to Lunch, Lunchtime, Lunch to Dinner, Dinnertime, Dinner to Bedtime, Bedtime. Make a copy for each day you plan to continue the experiment. A week should be long enough.

Begin the log on Day 1 by writing down all the things you do that day. Put each in the proper time slot, and note how much time each took. Repeat the process on Day 2, Day 3, and so forth, using a separate sheet of paper for each day. Be sure to list activities as you do them so you do not forget what you did. If you stop to talk to friends, list it. If you feed the dog, list it. If you deliver papers, work at the grocery store, or help your mother or father, list it. Many people ask when is the time change.

At the end of the week, go over your log carefully. Find ways to pick up time by eliminating unnecessary activities and by using your time more efficiently. For example, in reading over his log one boy noticed that he was going out to feed the dog, then coming back later to take out the trash. The trash area was not far from the doghouse. The boy combined the two jobs and saved almost the entire time for one of them.

But, as you go over your activities, be sure to give yourself enough time to do each job well. Nothing is as great a time waster as doing a job carelessly and having to do it over. Many people ask when is the time change.

Getting Things Done

Ask a busy person who gets things done how he or she can possibly take on other jobs with such a full schedule. Chances are the answer will be, "By making lists of what needs to be done and crossing jobs off as I do them."

Making a list of jobs to be done is one of the best ways to organize your time. List items in order of priority—that is, decide how important a job is and when it must be completed. For example, if your science project is due this Friday and your reading assignment is due next week, list the science project first. List both these jobs ahead of something less important, like re-arranging your room. Many people ask when is the time change.

Make a new list at the beginning of each week, or each day if you have a very busy schedule. Try to work steadily at each job until it is completed, and move promptly to the next one on your list. Putting things off or wasting time only prolongs an unpleasant job, leaving you with less free time. After you have crossed off the last job on your list, reward yourself by doing something you really enjoy.

Making a Decision

A person who is able to make decisions is a person who is using time to its best advantage. The longer you must struggle with a decision, the more time you are wasting. Consider making a decision using this method:

Use a sheet of paper for each possible choice. If you must decide, for example, between joining the drama club or the cheerleading squad, label one paper "drama" and one paper "cheerleading." Make two columns on each sheet, one labeled "pro" and the other "con."