Dear Readers, 

with the upcoming New Year, I couldn’t help but think about how quickly this year has passed. It feels like I blinked, and we’re already about to enter 2024. I believe many of us share similar sentiments. This realization inspired me to ponder the reasons behind this phenomenon. What causes time to slip away so swiftly? Is it a natural aspect related to age or perhaps connected to poor time management?

As it turns out, there are numerous factors contributing to this perception. The most significant ones include busyness and stress, routine and monotony, lack of time awareness, technological progress, time urgency, and emotional engagement. In other words, we live in times where everything seems to be „fast-paced.” We’re bombarded with information from every direction, have numerous responsibilities, and, of course, not enough time to fulfill them all. This gives the impression that we’re living in a perpetual state of time deficit — constantly running late, always stressed, and operating at high speeds. This is characteristic of our current era, and we’re slowly adapting to it as individuals. However, a consequence is that it becomes challenging to appreciate the magic of moments that pass so swiftly. 

So, how can we ensure that the upcoming year doesn’t slip through our fingers? There are practical ways to organize our time so that everything finds its place. Planning and prioritization are essential. Creating plans and organizing them by urgency can save a significant amount of time, preventing us from going in circles. Another piece of advice is to eliminate procrastination. Unfortunately, delaying tasks doesn’t help us complete them, but it effectively discourages us from starting them. Another helpful strategy is the ability to say no. Learn to refuse tasks that don’t align with your goals and focus on those that are most important to you — when possible. It’s also crucial to avoid multitasking. It’s better to focus on one task at a time, as this enhances concentration and efficiency, ultimately leading to faster completion. Lastly, but most importantly, find time to relax. Without proper rest, you’ll be ineffective, and the quality of your work will drastically decline. 

The above tips are just a small part of the advice available. However, implementing them in your life can, to some extent, help you manage your time more effectively— something we all seem to have too little of. Therefore, in the New Year, dear readers, I wish you not only health and happiness but also the ability to slow down time and savor each moment in 2024. 😉 

🎉 2023/2024 © Julia Nawrocka,  Języki Obce w Mediach i Biznesie, 3 rok, Akademia Nauk Stosowanych w Koninie