Thursday, February 14, 2013

Time Management Advice From Webster's Dictionary

Yesterday I wrote a post on Mastering Your Moments as a time management skill.  That post actually inspired this one with the picture posted for that piece.

The picture has the phrase "defining moments", a phrase that is common to us when we experience something amazing, magical, or memorable. A defining moment usually occurs to us, not something that we create ourselves.

It occurred to me, in the context of time management, that this can be a bit of a play on words. That post suggested that in mastering your moments you are actually defining them. You are intentionally creating your own defining moments.

Curious about the definition of defining, I went to my handy advisor Websters' Dictionary and to my surprise found the following definitions:
  • to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of
  • to fix or mark the limits of : demarcate <rigidly defined property lines
  • to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline <the issues aren't too well defined>
  • characterize, distinguish <you define yourself by the choices you make — Denison University Bulletin>
When you see this list through the lens of time management it runs like a list of time management tips, practices or advice.  That's pretty cool!

Here's the time management version:
  • to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of = determine what I want my time to mean, or how I want to work; for example - with stress or in a state of calm; with a sense of purpose.
  • to fix or mark the limits of : demarcate <rigidly defined property lines = effective time management is about setting boundaries and fixing time in my schedule to get specific things done.
  • to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline <the issues aren't too well defined> = are you clear about what you need or want to get done?...do you work from a master activity list (aka detailed outline).
  • characterizedistinguish <you define yourself by the choices you make — Denison University Bulletin> = use of the above tips will certainly define the kind of professional you are and the use of these tips and how you use your time is all about choice!
I recommend you come up with own time management version from this definition list. Thanks Webster for helping us see that excellent time management is in fact creating defining moments!

If you need practical help in defining your moments more effectively then you'll want to get Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed - how to manage your time, space, & priorities, to work smart, get results & be happy -  Kindle - The Book - Nook Audio Book. ...or if you team or company needs help consider  The Seminar version.


3 comments:

  1. If I ever write an article on qualities of good blog post I would certainly analyze this one.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Web Experts UK - I'm thinking that's a compliment? :-)

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  2. Thanks Dannielo - David's Book and tools are excellent!

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