Having effective time management skills means that you are able to utilize your time and get a list of things done in an established time frame. When you are able to accomplish all tasks on a list in the given time, you know you have good time management skills. You can see the problems it would cause if the time management skills are lacking or missing all together.

Planning your day to day activities can become a lot easier if you keep a planner. Before you start planning in a day to day planner you have to examine the things you are doing to waste time, and eliminate them. Once you have done this you can go onto the next step; when you plan out your day stick to some basic rules, and good old common sense. You shouldn't plan over 168 hours of your week. Also, remember to take sleeping and eating into account, or other necessary activities. Another good rule is to be realistic with your goals. If you know a project is going to take you 20 minutes, don't write 15 minutes down.