英語翻譯
Most people think their time problems are external,that they are caused by the telephone,meetings,visitors,and delayed information or decisions.Although these problems often stem from the initiative of others,as when people call or drop in,we usually contribute to them.We fail to have calls screened by a competent secretary or assistant,or we leave our door open,virtually assuring constant interruptions.
In almost all cases,it is possible to influence,if not control,externally generated time problems.More difficult to identify,as well as to manage,are the internally generated time wasters:procrastination(延遲) and indecision,lack of self-discipline,the inability to say no,the inability to delegate,or the tendency to fight fires,to act without thinking,and to jump from task to task without finishing any of them.
Time is a constant (常數(shù)) that cannot be altered.The clock cannot be slowed down or speeded up.Thus we cannot manage time itself.We can only manage our activities with respect to time.
The same skills are needed as those used in managing others — the abilities to plan,organize,delegate,direct,and control.Time management is simply self-management.It is impossible to be effective in any position without controlling one's time effectively.
Successful time management does not mean working harder,but working smarter.An army of management skills must be used in the home and office to get most value from time.You must think ahead about what to do,and how and when to do it.You must remember that everyone has the same amount of time.Some just use it more effectively than others,making it yield maximum results in the shortest possible period.