Dr. Jan Yager is a sociologist and author who experienced the “hard way” of time management. At the age of 20, he believed that time was infinite. However, the death of his 23-year-old brother, who was fatally injured during a failed robbery, taught him the true value of time. This tragedy turned Dr. Yager into a time management expert. He has written six books on the subject.
In his latest book, Yager draws on his five previous publications as well as the new challenges brought by 24/7 mobile technology to present methods for using time more efficiently.
Below are three of his main approaches along with five key questions you can apply in your own life.
1. Turn time management into a conscious activity
Most of our time is spent on daily concerns and responding to the demands of others. In this process, it is easy to lose sight of our own priorities.
Dr. Yager writes:
“If you truly want to move forward, you must learn to dedicate time every day to your personal priorities.”
For example, Anton Chekhov, despite living an extremely busy life as a doctor and teacher, always found time to write his plays – creating a lasting legacy.
Ask yourself these 5 questions every day:
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What do I want to accomplish in my work over the next 12 months?
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What achievements do I want to reach in my personal life?
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Which relationships should I devote the most time to?
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What is my main purpose on earth?
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What legacy do I want to leave behind?
Ask yourself these questions before going to bed and again upon waking. Even if the answers don’t change daily, they serve as inner affirmations that guide your life.
2. Change the thought “I don’t have enough time”
We often say: “I don’t have time.” In reality, only 6–10 hours of the day can be used at a high level of productivity.
Ask yourself:
“How am I using today’s 6–10 hours toward my most important priorities?”
Practical steps:
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Put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.
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Set aside time for meditation, reflection, and daydreaming.
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Leave your phone aside for a while and create a quiet space.
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If you have children at home, use a “magic invisibility hat” game to carve out personal time.
Instead of complaining about lost time, it is far more useful to consciously redirect it toward your priorities.
3. Manage your email
Many people check their email first thing in the morning. Dr. Yager advises against this.
His suggestions:
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Dedicate the first hours of your day to your priority task.
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Open your email only after you’ve completed that task.
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Write subject lines that include time references: for example, “Meeting tomorrow at 12:00” is stronger than simply “Request.”
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If your reply will be delayed, use a standard phrase: “Thank you for your message. I will respond as soon as time permits.”
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Draft important emails first in Word or another text editor, then copy them into the email.
Conclusion
Dr. Jan Yager’s methods may seem simple, but they have a profound effect on life quality.
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Make time management a conscious process.
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Focus on priorities within limited time.
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Learn to manage your email.
These steps increase not only productivity but also personal satisfaction in daily life.
Remember Carl Sandburg’s words:
“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful, lest you let others spend it for you.”