Lesson 4 of 5 · Managing Your Time6 min

Planning Your Time and Being On Time

Big tasks can feel hard to start. The trick is to break them into small steps. Being on time is also a skill — and it gets easier when you plan backward from when you need to arrive.

In this lesson

Break a big task into smaller steps.
Plan backward so you arrive on time.

Break it into steps

A big task like 'clean my room' can feel like too much. Break it into small steps so you know where to start.

Instead of: 'Clean my room.'
Try: Make the bed. Then pick up clothes. Then clear the desk. Then take out trash.

Plan backward to be on time

To be on time, start from when you need to arrive and count backward.

Example. Work starts at 9:00. The bus takes 20 minutes. Getting ready takes 30 minutes.
So: Leave by 8:35, and start getting ready by 8:00.

Use a timer

A timer helps you notice how long things really take. It also helps you start. Tell yourself, 'I'll work for just 10 minutes,' and set a timer. Starting is often the hardest part.

Quick check

Try these to see what you remember. There are no grades — pick an answer to see how you did.

1. Work starts at 9:00, the bus is 20 minutes, and getting ready is 30 minutes. When should you start getting ready?

2. What is a good way to handle a big task that feels too hard to start?

Previous lesson