With this method, you assess your to-dos, determine how each one fits into your goals and values, and schedule them accordingly.Īdditionally, the third-generation of Stephen Covey’s time management incorporates daily planning to schedule the most important asks into each day. The third generation builds on the second generation’s scheduling techniques by adding prioritization through clarifying your values and setting long- and short-term goals. Third Generation: Goal Setting and Daily Planning However, calendars and planners still have no process for weighting different activities based on how they contribute to priorities and goals, so this approach produces few important results. People who follow the second-generation method are schedule oriented and show up to commitments when they’re supposed to, so they appear more responsible than first-generation time managers.
The second generation of Stephen Covey’s time management takes things a step further by taking all the to-dos on your checklists and organizing them into a schedule. Second Generation: Calendars and Planners People who use first-generation time management tend to feel little control and self-esteem, and are typically seen as irresponsible and undependable. Furthermore, if you feel that all you can do is react to external forces, then you don’t feel responsible for the results. This is the easiest approach because you simply take things as they come - just add it to the list! - but your effort produces few substantive results and doesn’t empower you to create your own path. The first-generation paradigm causes you to react to any task or demand that external forces throw in front of you. The main weakness of notes and checklists is that by lumping everything onto the same list, you’re not prioritizing tasks or assessing how (or whether) they contribute to your values and goals. The first iteration that led to Stephen Covey’s time management tools focuses on gathering all the varied tasks and to-dos into checklists and Post-It notes. As you read through, think about which generation you tend to practice, and how you can shift to fourth generation. First, it’s important to recognize your current time management habits to see where and how you can improve. You should aim to achieve the fourth generation of time management as a part of your 7 Habits journey. There are four main methods of Stephen Covey’s time management. Four Stephen Covey Time Management Methods, and Why Fourth Generation is Effective
Working toward the fourth generation will help you shift your paradigm, prioritize what’s important to you, and ultimately achieve your goals. The Fourth Generation is what effective people typically use, and what you should aim for on your 7 Habits journey. Stephen Covey’s time management system discusses the four generations of time management. Over time, four generations of time management techniques have emerged.
In order to use your independent will to effectively achieve mission statement and ultimate goals, you need the proper tools of time management.
Like this article? Sign up for a free trial here. Shortform has the world's best summaries of books you should be reading. This article is an excerpt from the Shortform summary of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey.