Preparing for a government job exam? Then time management is of the essence. Here are some time management strategies through which you can ace any government job exam.
Why time management is important
Effective time management is extremely beneficial for all government job aspirants. It increases productivity, helps to maintain a greater focus and concentration and also reduces stress.
In recent decades, research has led to the formulation and emergence of matrices for time management. Some of these strategies include the Pomodoro technique, Eat That Frog and the Pareto principle. A more detailed breakdown is given below:
Set clear goals
Before starting your preparation for govt job exams, set goals. And understand what you want to accomplish with each goal.
A common goal setting technique is SMART. It stands for:
S: specific
M: measurable
A: achievable
R: relevant
T: time bound
By using this strategy, you can also inculcate a goal oriented mindset.
Creating a realistic study plan
A study plan is a schedule that includes allocated time for each subject or topic. While preparing, all aspirants should create a realistic study plan. For this:
Identify strengths & weaknesses to determine what requires more attention
Allocate time slots for everything to ensure that every topic is covered.
Have flexibility so that the study plan can be adjusted
Prioritise topics and subjects
All topics and subjects have varying difficulty levels. So aspirants should decide which topics and subjects to prioritise.
This will increase overall efficiency and help to manage the overall workload. Some helpful strategies that can be used for this include the Eisenhower matrix and Pareto Principle.
Avoid multi tasking
Multi tasking sounds good on paper. But it often leads to poor decision-making and increased stress levels.
Instead, focus on one thing and group similar activities together. If possible, practise mindfulness techniques to increase your overall attention span.
Minimise distractions
Eliminating distractions is unrealistic. But with some smart habits, you can easily minimise distractions.
Some of these include:
Creating a distraction free zone
Training your mind
Taking strategic breaks
In summary, efficient time management enables you to study smarter, not harder. With the appropriate tactics and a concentrated approach, you can increase your productivity and crack any government job exam.