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The Quality Time Love Language and Your Relationship

Sherri Gordon, CLC is a published author, certified professional life coach, and bullying prevention expert. She's also the former editor of Columbus Parent and has countless years of experience writing and researching health and social issues.

Adah Chung is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and occupational therapist. 

Verywell / Laura Porter

Take the Quiz to Identify Your Love Language

Understanding quality time.

• Showing Love With Quality Time
• Showing Your 'Quality Time' Oriented Partner You Love Them

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Every couple needs quality time together in order for the relationship to grow and develop. Moments of connection are born out of intentional activities and those hours chatting in bed, cooking, or enjoying hobbies together.

But for some people who have quality time as their love language, the time can take on even greater significance. So how does that desire for time spent together impact the relationship especially when hectic lives get in the way?

Here's a closer look at how expressing the love language of quality time can not only improve your relationship but also show your "quality time" partner that you are fluent in their love language and know what they need.

At a Glance

When it comes to the love language of quality time, most people assume it means spending a lot of time together or going out a lot. If that were the case, trying to show your partner you care through quality time could get exhausting—and expensive.

But loving a partner who craves quality time actually has very little to do with the amount of time you are together. It's also not based on activities. Quality time is all about how you spend the time that you have together. No matter what you are doing, if you are attentive and focused, your partner will feel loved.

This fast, free quiz will help you determine your love language:

This love languages quiz was medically reviewed by Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD.

When it comes to Gary Chapman's five love languages , quality time is the one that centers around togetherness. It's all about expressing your love and affection with your undivided attention.

When you're with your partner, you put down the cell phone , turn off the tablet, and focus on them. And, when you do that, it touches their heart in a way that really matters. They feel important, loved, and special—like you were intentional in setting aside time just for them.

Unfortunately, thanks to technology, quality time with our partners is becoming more and more scarce. Even when we are together, we are someplace else—usually in cyberspace or deep in our own thoughts.

But being in close proximity to one another while doing something else does not always constitute quality time, no matter how long you sit there. And for someone whose primary love language is quality time, this lack of connectedness can leave them feeling empty and alone.

How to Give Your Partner Quality Time

When it comes to speaking your partner's love language, it's important that you do things that will make your partner feel loved and appreciated.

If your partner's primary love language is quality time, you need to not only set aside time for your partner, but also be intentional about how you are spending that time.

If you don't share the same love language as your partner, don't be surprised if these efforts seem a little unnatural at first. With time and effort though, you will be doing these things for your partner without a second thought.

Showing Your 'Quality Time' Oriented Partner You Love Them

Make eye contact.

When it comes to quality time, eye contact is the gateway to loving your quality time partner. In fact, maintaining eye contact tells your partner that they have your full attention, which will make them feel loved, important, and understood. It also communicates that you care about what they have to say.

But when you are distracted and scrolling through your phone while your partner talks about their day, they will feel like you just don't care about what they have to say and, by extension, that you just don't care about them.

Use Active Listening Skills

Active listening is one of the most loving things you can do for your partner, but for many people, this doesn't come naturally. Instead, most people think about their own thoughts and opinions more than they think about their partner's.

When quality time people are talking, try the following active listening skills:

• Focus on what they are saying.
• Lean in slightly.
• Affirm what they are saying.
• Ask thoughtful questions.
• Avoid trying to offer advice, unless they ask for it.
• Try putting yourself in their shoes or thinking about how you might feel in the same situation.

Quality time partners are more interested in feeling understood. They are looking for empathy and compassion and don't always want to have their situations fixed.

Set Limits on Technology

Nothing hurts a quality time person more than to share something they feel is really important, and then to look up and realize their partner is only half paying attention while trying to answer an e-mail from a co-worker or respond to a text.

Make it a habit to put away your phone at dinner or during a coffee break and really focus on what your partner has to say. Even though you may not discuss anything earth-shattering, you are making an important and loving gesture by choosing your partner over technology.

Focus on Quality, Not Quantity

When it comes to quality time, it's not about the amount of time you spend together but instead the quality of your interactions that count. And with so much going on in your life, carving out a few minutes for a meaningful and uninterrupted conversation can be a wonderful way to show the person you love that you care.

The key is that you take the time to enjoy one another's company, even if it is just sitting on the couch enjoying a cup of coffee before work. Remember, it's not about the quantity of time you spend together, but rather the quality.

Make a Plan

While it never hurts to be spontaneous, planning to do something together can be just as fun and exciting as a last-minute dinner or movie, especially for a quality time partner. It's often too easy for couples to get in a rut after they have been together for a while.

Instead of settling for the "same old, same old," try making plans. Taking steps to initiate quality time will mean a lot to your partner. Plus, the anticipation of spending time together will really speak love to them.

It doesn't matter what you do, just plan something different. A few suggestions:

• Try the new restaurant in town.
• Schedule a bike ride on a Saturday morning.
• Plan a leisurely walk along the riverbank after work.

Remember, just because spending time together is expected when people have been together a while doesn't mean you cannot also be intentional about how you spend that time.

Develop a Routine

Look for small ways to connect with your partner on a daily basis. For instance, you could pray or meditate together every morning or read the Sunday funnies together each week.

Finding a small way to regularly connect will help your quality time partner feel fulfilled and appreciated. Plus, it's something you can both look forward to doing together.

Be Present and Available

When your partner is feeling insecure or going through a tough time, you can really show you care by simply being there and spending some quality time together. Even though you won't be able to take all the discomfort away—nor should you be expected to—you will be able to demonstrate that you are present and available when they need you.

Stay in the Moment

For people whose primary love language is quality time, they never lose sight of the fact that time is limited and tomorrow is not promised. As a result, they view time together as a priceless gift that they want to give and receive in relationships.

To them, life is about being in the moment more than it is about what you are doing. It's also about prioritizing the people you love over everything else.

Get Creative

Everyone has days when their to-do list is a mile long. Rather than run all your errands by yourself, invite your quality time partner to come along. Even though you are doing something mundane and boring, you can sneak in some quality time.

For instance, turn off the radio and talk to one another. Ask how your partner's life is going and what is stressing them out right now. You can turn just about any activity into a chance to sneak in some quality time if you are creative.

At times, it can be hard to communicate love to your partner through quality time, especially if it is not your primary love language. But you will eventually get the hang of it. The key is to avoid a few of these common mistakes.

• Don't complain about the time you spend together.
• Resist the urge to do something else while your partner is talking.
• Don't view your quality time partner as needy.
• Keep your technology stowed away when you have time planned together.
• Don't forget to ask what your partner needs in order to feel loved.

By Sherri Gordon Sherri Gordon, CLC is a published author, certified professional life coach, and bullying prevention expert. She's also the former editor of Columbus Parent and has countless years of experience writing and researching health and social issues.

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How Spending Quality Time Can Really Strengthen Families

There can be significant benefits to shared family activities and traditions..

Posted February 7, 2021

When children are growing up, what they see in their families is what they tend to consider normal. Whether a child grows up in a large home or a small apartment, a large family or a home with a single parent, they tend to accept their situation because that is all they’ve known.

My family did not own a color television during my entire childhood . During those years we had a small, 12-inch black-and-white television. Did I feel deprived that I didn’t have a larger TV, or that it wasn’t in color? I did not, because to me this small television was just right. It was the only TV we had in our home and as such, I was satisfied to watch shows on it and didn’t worry about it having a small screen and black and white images. It was just our TV and it worked fine.

The point here is that I accepted what we had and was comfortable with it. When children are growing up, they just know what is shown to them. That means family traditions and other activities are generally seen as just normal. If a family eats dinner together, goes to religious services together, or spends time talking with each other, that’s what the child absorbs and internalizes.

More and more, our family traditions are shrinking as we move toward a more isolated society. Social norms seem to be eroding at an ever-faster pace. How many families no longer share meals around the dinner table, instead opting to watch TV or text friends on their phones? How many families no longer sit and talk? This tends to isolate and disconnect family members from each other. It also stops families from communicating and catching up on each other’s lives.

It is this emotional separation that can lead to a lack of connectedness. This in turn can become internalized in children seen as normal. Then when they grow up, they take it with them into their own families and this lack of family connectedness becomes normalized in the society.

For those of us who grew up in a household where families shared meals together and spent time talking with each other, chances are we are passing along those traditions to our own families. The problem is, children today often want to spend their time in front of screens rather than people. Cell phones, video games, computers, and other attention -grabbing devices often mean parents get resistance to traditional family togetherness time. This pressure can lead to parents giving in and letting children do what they want rather than fight with them over sitting at the dinner table.

This creates a new normal that no longer values the idea of families and the society at large, connecting with each other. We are already a society that has fewer and fewer things that are shared societal experiences. While this year things have changed due to the pandemic, events like the Super Bowl have for decades created shared experiences between generations. Unfortunately, events like this are becoming fewer and fewer in their number. Life is increasingly becoming more and more solitary, with people staring at screens rather than sharing experiences with each other.

Children are not the only ones who become lost in their own computerized world. Parents also spend much of their day on their computers or smartphones. Remember, that with each year discussing things verbally gets pushed further and further into the past and is often replaced with texts and emojis. While there is nothing wrong with technology and new ways of communication, there is something that is being lost every time we separate ourselves from the people in our lives. Family and community traditions are important, not just for the current shared experiences, but for the future as well. Since children internalize their experiences which define what they feel is“normal,” that means generations to come may not know what it’s like to sit together around the dinner table and truly connect as a family. We may be trading that connectedness for the isolation of the computer screen.

That is why it is so important that parents and caregivers create boundaries of behavior that help to keep family traditions alive. If you remember the shared experiences you had with your parents and grandparents you know the important bonding that took place during those times. The warmth and love you felt belonging to something bigger than yourself. The security of knowing you were part of a supportive family that cared for you. That is what family traditions give us, the closeness and connectedness of truly having people that hear us and care about us. It is this shared experience that brings people closer together and is well worth preserving.

David Schwartz, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families in Westlake Village, California.

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How to Create Quality Time With Your Family

 bernardbodo / Getty Images

• Establish Family Time
• Let Kids Choose
• Consider Commitments
• Assign Chores
• Encourage Support
• Schedule Downtime

Help With Schoolwork

• Start a Project

Prioritize the Family

The struggle to balance family time with outside commitments and activities is one of the most challenging aspects of parenting, especially as your kids get older. You want to spend time as a family so that you can establish secure relationships, but sometimes trying to carve out family time is harder than expected with all your work commitments and your kids' activities.

If your nightly refrain is how tired you and the kids are, perhaps your family is struggling with balancing work, school, and everyone's activities. Here are some quick tips for juggling your family's schedule while creating some quality time together as a family.

Establish Regular Family Time

Whether you set aside one afternoon or evening a week, establishing set family time can create memories that last a lifetime. Whether it's movie night, take-out night, game night, or even a weekly family bike ride, the key is that at least once a week you have time designated for togetherness.

Spend the time relaxing and talking with each other. You might be surprised by the things you learn about your kids on your special night or how you connect as a family. Here are some other things you can do during your designated family time:

• Attend a community event : Whether you take in a concert in the park or attend a local festival, spending time together outside of the home can be a great way to enjoy some time together.
• Make rainy days or snow days special : It's not often that events get rained out or school is cancelled due to snow, but when it does happen, take advantage of the unexpected time together. Plan rainy-day activities , build a snowman, spend the day in PJs eating snacks and binge-watching your favorite shows, bake cookies, make indoor s'mores, or work on a puzzle together. The key is that you spend time together as a family.
• Prioritize mealtime : Whether it's breakfast or dinner, try to prioritize having meals together as a family. As schedules get busy and kids get older, this becomes more of a challenge, but research has consistently shown that having a meal together has a positive impact on kids. Even if you can only have dinner together once or twice a week, it's better than nothing at all.

Let Your Child Choose Their Activities

Too many well-meaning parents sign their kids up for activities they're genuinely not interested in or good at and then face conflicts and power struggles. Not only is this counterproductive, but signing kids up for activities just for the sake of it can eat into potential family time.

Of course, it's another issue altogether if your child continually begs to sign up for activities and then wants to quit. Make sure your child is truly interested in the activity before committing to it.

Also, keep in mind that even at a young age kids develop certain interests and dreams that they want to pursue. It's likely that they won't be the same dreams you have for them. Be careful to choose your battles and accommodate activity requests where practical.

Determine Your Child's Interest

If your kid says an activity "might" be fun, avoid committing to a full season or year. Not only could it present a problem for your child if they don't like it, but it will infringe on the other kids participating in the activity.

Many teams rely on a certain number of players or kids to form a group, and a last-minute pull-out could impact everyone else. If you're not sure, consider signing your child up for a mini-camp, a week-long session, or shorter time period instead. If your kid loves it, then you can always seek something more in the future.

Signs of Being Overextended

Watch for signs that your child is overscheduled. If your kid's grades start plummeting or you get a note that says they often fall asleep after mid-morning snack time, you may be asking too much of them. Keep in mind your child's age, personality, and organizational skills before committing to an activity. Some kids can successfully manage lots of commitments while others will get overwhelmed.

Consider Time Commitments

Saying yes to too many extras can eat into valuable family time. Whether you are involved in multiple volunteer projects or your child is participating in a competitive sport or playing an instrument, additional practices and time requirements may be necessary.

You have to decide if these time commitments are worth it. Time-pressed families might prefer to sign kids up for a recreation league instead of a select season, or they might consider saying no to volunteer requests that stretch them too thin.

The key is trying to ensure you still have some downtime as a family.

Of course, plenty of family bonding can occur when kids are playing on travel teams if you make the most of your trips and plan some time together as a family then too. Just make sure you are intentional about spending time together, even if it is just sharing a meal on the way home.

Share Household Chores

If everyone in the family participates in extracurricular activities or has outside commitments, then general household chores may be harder to complete. Have a family meeting and explain how everyone will pitch in to complete family chores. It's unfair that all household responsibilities should fall on one person. Plus, it makes it harder to prioritize family time. 

If you set expectations upfront, any grumbling will be minimized. Even small kids can help set the table, clear dishes, or take the trash cans to the curb. You also can look for ways to maximize your family's time when completing chores. Here are some ways to make the most of your efforts:

• Break down chores into smaller tasks : Instead of trying to clean the entire house in one day, try designating a day for each 15-20 minute task and assign it to someone in the family. Perhaps you will dust on Mondays, mop on Tuesdays, vacuum on Wednesdays, clean the toilets on Thursdays, and so on.
• Complete chores as a family : If the snow needs shoveling, the leaves need raking, or the garage needs to be cleaned out, try to take time to do these things as a family. Working together builds teamwork and the job can be completed much more quickly. Plus, there are bound to be a few laughs along the way. Even though it may not sound fun at first, how you approach it can make all the difference.
• Create a system for completing large tasks : It is unrealistic to try to complete 10 loads of laundry on a Saturday, especially if you want to spend time together as a family or one of your kids has a game. You could try doing a load of laundry each day and folding it together as a family while watching a favorite television program after dinner.
• Decide what you can let go : There are times when it's perfectly acceptable to let some chores go, especially if you opt to spend time as a family instead. This might mean skipping the dusting and playing a board game instead. The key is that you don't let a long list of chores bog you down. Look for ways to lighten the load and prioritize your family.

Encourage Mutual Support

When schedules allow, encourage your kids to come and cheer on their siblings every chance they get. Whether they play sports, participate in the arts, or are involved on a tech team, it's important that the entire family support one another. Of course, this support should not come at the expense of their own activities or commitments, but it should be a regular occurrence when their schedules allow.

There is something really meaningful to a child when their entire family is there to support them and cheer them on. Be sure you are creating opportunities for this type of encouragement and family support as often as you can.

Schedule Family Downtime

Whether you plan a family vacation, take one day a month to explore a nearby area, or organize a technology-free day for the whole family, it's important that everyone in the family have regular opportunities to decompress and reconnect. Just like adults, kids are not exempt from feeling the pressures of life.

They experience stress, frustration, confusion, anger, and exhaustion just like you do. For this reason, it's important to schedule relaxing activities or downtime where they can unwind and let go of the things that are bothering them.

Vacations also are a great way to unwind while spending quality time together.

Vacations can help break family members away from the normal routine while exposing them to new areas, foods, and activities. There also are a number of health benefits to taking a family vacation. A family vacation can reduce stress levels and help everyone relax; and if you are hiking, swimming, and doing other aerobic exercises, your family's hearts and lungs will benefit too.

When kids are little, there are lots of opportunities to practice their spelling words, math facts , and reading assignments . But even as kids get older, there are still things you can do to help. Instead of competing with schoolwork for family time, why not come alongside them and help them where needed?

Help them study for a test by quizzing them on the material. Or, if your child is working on a research paper, sit down with them and help them find reputable sources. Of course, you should not do their schoolwork for them, but helping them and talking with them about what they are thinking are great ways to bond.

Start a Hobby or Project Together

Whether you read a book as a family, build a birdhouse, collect something, or commit to visiting all the state capitols, working toward a common goal or having a family project can open the door to quality family time.

Even committing to volunteering once a month at the local food pantry is a great way to spend time together as a family.

Not only are you teaching your kids about the importance of giving back to the community, but you're also spending time together doing something meaningful and beneficial. After all, nothing instills kindness , improves moods , and increases gratitude more than helping those that are less fortunate.

Prioritizing family over other obligations is an important element of finding quality time together as a family. This may mean establishing work boundaries and taking time away from technology. But, protecting your family time will help keep your priorities straight and will ensure a happier, better-adjusted family.

In order to develop deep, meaningful relationships with your kids, you need to invest time in them. Even just committing to being home for family dinner several nights a week or taking a 30-minute walk most evenings together can make a significant impact on family relationships in the long run.

The time commitment doesn't have to be huge, but it does need to be consistent.

Just prioritizing your family on holidays and vacations is not enough. Your relationships will only skim the surface. You need regular time together to develop deep bonds.

A Word From Verywell

The bonds you create with your kids before they leave the nest can last a lifetime. The key to developing those bonds, though, is to spend consistent quality time together. Whether that's playing a board game every night after dinner, having regular pizza nights, or volunteering to clean up the park, the key is that you are building relationships with one another through positive experiences.

As your kids get older, involve them in the decision-making and allow them to choose activities from time to time. If you invest in and protect your time together as a family, you will have built a foundation of meaningful moments and memories that will keep you connected to your kids as they enter their adult lives.

Harrison ME, Norris ML, Obeid N, Fu M, Weinstangel H, Sampson M. Systematic review of the effects of family meal frequency on psychosocial outcomes in youth .  Can Fam Physician . 2015;61(2):e96-e106. PMID:25676655

Glauser W. Overscheduled and glued to screens - children are sleeping less than ever before .  CMAJ . 2018;190(48):E1428-E1429. doi:10.1503/cmaj.109-5676

John Hopkins All Children Hospital. Is your child too busy? .

American Academy of Pediatrics. Chores and responsibility .

National Institute of Health. Summer travel .

By Robin McClure  Robin McClure is a public school administrator and author of 6 parenting books.

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A (Very) Simple Way to Improve Your Writing

• Mark Rennella

It’s called the “one-idea rule” — and any level of writer can use it.

The “one idea” rule is a simple concept that can help you sharpen your writing, persuade others by presenting your argument in a clear, concise, and engaging way. What exactly does the rule say?

• Every component of a successful piece of writing should express only one idea.
• In persuasive writing, your “one idea” is often the argument or belief you are presenting to the reader. Once you identify what that argument is, the “one-idea rule” can help you develop, revise, and connect the various components of your writing.
• For instance, let’s say you’re writing an essay. There are three components you will be working with throughout your piece: the title, the paragraphs, and the sentences.
• Each of these parts should be dedicated to just one idea. The ideas are not identical, of course, but they’re all related. If done correctly, the smaller ideas (in sentences) all build (in paragraphs) to support the main point (suggested in the title).

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Most advice about writing looks like a long laundry list of “do’s and don’ts.” These lists can be helpful from time to time, but they’re hard to remember … and, therefore, hard to depend on when you’re having trouble putting your thoughts to paper. During my time in academia, teaching composition at the undergraduate and graduate levels, I saw many people struggle with this.

• MR Mark Rennella is Associate Editor at HBP and has published two books, Entrepreneurs, Managers, and Leaders and The Boston Cosmopolitans .  

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The importance of quality time.

Sarah Abell invites you to try a 30-day Love Life Lab Experiment to improve your love life – this time, schedule in time with your partner

The project

Once your relationship is more established, ‘dating’ often decreases or stops altogether. That could be a mistake, according to The Date Night Opportunity by W. Bradford Wilcox and Jeffrey Dew (University of Virginia, 2012). If you want a lasting and happy relationship, it’s time to try spending quality time together regularly.

Going on dates offers a chance to focus exclusively on each other, discover interests, build memories and talk at a deeper level.

Wilcox and Dew found that people who spent quality time with their partner at least once a week were 3.5 times more likely to report being ‘very happy’ in their relationship compared to those who didn’t. Quality time can strengthen your relationship in several ways:

• Communication. It gives you distraction-free time to talk, and helps you stay current with your partner and what’s going on in your lives.
• Novelty . If you engage in fun, exciting and unusual activities, you’re more likely to buck the trend of taking each other for granted.
• Eros. Planning good times together can help keep your passion alive over time.
• Commitment. It can foster a greater sense of togetherness. By prioritising time together, you’re signalling to others the importance of your relationship.
• De-stress. Stress is one of the biggest threats to a strong relationship. Making sure you have time together planned lets you relax, have fun and unwind.
• Book time together in your diary once a week for a month. It doesn’t have to be an evening – try to set aside a few hours during the day if that works better for you.
• Take turns in planning what you are going to do on your dates. Think of things your partner would particularly enjoy. Try to avoid talking about chores, finances or any contentious issues. This is a time to have fun and focus on each other.
• Get creative. It helps if you plan your time together with the same amount of effort and imagination that you used when you were first dating.

Sarah Abell is a relationships coach and the author of Inside Out – How To Build Authentic Relationships With Everyone In Your Life (Hodder, £8.99). Find out more at nakedhedgehogs.com. To buy her LifeLabs Practical Wisdom online course How to Save Your Relationship, please click here. You can try a free 3-day taster trial first too.

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• Value of Time Essay

Essay on Value of Time

Time plays the most important role in life. It is the most wonderful and practical thing. It has no beginning and no end. All things are born on time, grown on time and die on time. You cannot have command on time, nor can you analyze and criticize it. It is very crucial that you understand the value of time and manage it effectively; otherwise, time can create an enormous impact on your life. You need to comprehend and regard the value of time by not wasting it.

Time is the most valuable thing in life. It has no beginning and no end. It can neither be created nor be destroyed. Time is the only dimension in which we all live our lives, and it affects everything that we do, from a flower's growing cycle to the destruction of empires. Time is so important, in fact, that if you did not have any, you could not do anything at all. There are many things that we can do with our time: We can spend it on leisure activities, such as sleeping, watching TV, reading or going for a walk; on work or study; on raising a family; or on helping others. No matter what we choose to do, it is important that we manage our time and make the most of it. Time is a valuable thing when we are in school.

A flower can be planted anytime during the year, but if you want it to grow into a beautiful plant with colourful petals, then you must provide it with enough sunlight, water, and soil. You cannot tell time to wait for your instructions; thus, you must use time in the most efficient way possible to get things done. It is the same with our lives. We have a limited amount of time on this earth, and we need to spend it wisely if we want to accomplish our goals and dreams. There are many ways that we can misuse our time. One of the most common is by procrastinating. Procrastination is the act of putting off action until a later time when it could have been done much more efficiently if you had just done it in the first place.

Time has an Effect Everywhere in Life

Your use of time reflects your priorities. It shows what is important to you. For example, if you are always late for meetings or appointments, then people may assume that you do not value them or their time. However, if you are usually well prepared and arrive early for meetings, then your colleagues will know that they can rely on you to get things done in a timely manner. Time is very much crucial to every person in the world. You have wasted time in the past, so do not get frustrated if you are not able to manage your time perfectly. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and use that knowledge to help you become more efficient with your time in the future!

Time is Valuable

Time management can be defined as "the process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time allocated to the various activities in one's life." It is a skill that can be acquired through training and practice. In order to manage your time effectively, you must know how you spend your time now. Record how much time you spend on each activity during a week, then review what you have recorded. Identify the important tasks and the ones that do not serve any real purpose. Useless activities can be eliminated, and important tasks can be rearranged in a more efficient schedule. The most effective time management techniques include: planning your day the night before, setting priorities, delegating responsibilities, using a planner or calendar, working on one task at a time, utilizing time-saving tools and strategies, and taking short breaks. If we have good habits and good strategies and we follow them, we will get the most out of time. Time management has a great impact on our lives. It can make us more productive every day and help us achieve our goals in life. So take control of your time; do not let it control you! The value of time is something that everyone understands. Time is a precious commodity that we all have an equal amount of, and it is something that should not be wasted. It is interesting to think about how time affects our lives in so many ways. Time is the one thing that we all have in common, but, as a society, we have made very little use of that fact. We have divided up the time that we have into minutes and seconds to the point where time is now our enemy. We are always in a hurry, always chasing after something that we believe will make us happy. And yet, there is nothing that we can do to stop time from passing by.

Importance of Time

Time does not wait for anyone. Whether you like it or not, the fact is time will never stop. It will keep going on. This is an old belief, but it still holds true. Time gives you only one chance, and you have to make the best of it. A moment lost is lost forever. You cannot go back and reverse time.

Time is ever-changing, and change is the law of nature. Nothing is independent of time and change. Life is short, and tasks to accomplish are vast and challenging. We should realize this fact and not waste any minute. Every second and every opportunity should be used efficiently and meaningfully. 

Managing Time

Time management has become the most crucial task in today's busy world. It is the art of arranging, organizing, scheduling and budgeting one time for the purpose of generating more effective work and productivity.

Managing time is the effect of the value of time. It is important for everyone, including students, teachers, factory workers, professionals, homemakers and all. 

Managing time is not necessarily about getting a lot of things done. Instead, it is about getting the right things, the things that truly need to be done. So it is essential to remain focused and in control of time instead of rushing frantically from one activity to the next until you get exhausted. 

Never postpone things for the next day. Today is important. To complete your task today rather than leaving it for tomorrow. Leisure is enjoyable but after fruitful hard work. 

Steps to Utilize Time in an Effective Way

Focus on Most Important Tasks First : Calculate how much your time is worth for a particular job. This will help you to prioritize the work and focus on the important task first. Less important tasks can be delegated to others.

Create a Time Audit : You can keep track of the work that you do every week. Then you can make a report to find out which task is stealing more time. This will help you in proper assessment.

Set a Time Limit for Each Task : When you set a time limit for each task, then you will not get distracted and finish your work within the time frame.

Plan Ahead : If you plan well in advance, then you can be more organized and utilize time to complete work efficiently.

Don't Waste Time Waiting: If you have to wait for the completion of a task, then utilize that waiting time in a most effective way. Instead of sitting idle, you can read any book or study material of your interest. This will increase your productivity. 

Work Smarter and Not Harder : When you juggle with time, then be smart enough to take up one single task and finish it. Quality is more important than quantity.

Time is a very vital substance in our lives. By realizing the value of time and utilizing it effectively, we will not only achieve our goals to the utmost personal satisfaction but can also contribute to the advancement and development of our society and country. We need to respect time, and by this, we can get the best out of it.

So if people know the value of time, then it is beneficial for society and the individual. The value of time is often underestimated. People think that they have all the time in the world and so they can waste it. But, what people don't realize is that time is a precious commodity that, once wasted, can never be recovered. Time waits for no one, so whatever we want to do, we should do it now and not put it off for later so that we can enjoy it to the fullest. So our advice is that you should utilize your time as effectively as possible and feel content by finishing everything on time.

FAQs on Value of Time Essay

1.How can I manage my time effectively?

There are a number of ways to effectively manage your time. You can focus on the most important tasks first, create a time audit, set a time limit for each task, plan ahead, don't waste time waiting, and work smarter, not harder. Time is a very vital substance in our lives. With the help of time now, we can achieve our goals to the utmost satisfaction and can also contribute to the development of our society and country. We should save time so that we can use it in an effective way and achieve whatever we want in life.

2. What are some of the ways to effectively manage time?

There are a number of ways to manage your time, which include: focusing on the most important tasks first, creating a time audit, setting a time limit for each task, planning ahead, and working smarter, not harder if we know how to manage time in an effective way then we will be able to achieve whatever we want in life. Some ways of time management are given below-focus on the most important tasks first, creating a time audit, setting a time limit for each. These are some ways of managing time so that we can save our time and use it in an effective way.

3. What is the value of time?

Time is valuable because it is finite. Once time is gone, it can never be recovered. Therefore, it is important to use our time wisely and productively. Many people squander their time pursuing activities that seem initially pleasurable but have little to no long-term value. People who have a value of time can achieve anything they want in life. The value of time is how much somebody gives or takes for an hour of their labor. The value changes depending on what type of work you do and which industry you are working in. An average worker makes about $15/hour, so time is valuable. If you save your time, you can use it in a more effective way.

4. How can I be more organized?

To be more organized, you should plan well in advance, don't waste time waiting, and work smarter, not harder. Also, keep track of the work that you do every week by keeping a time audit report to find out which task is stealing more time from you. This will help you in proper assessment and improve your time management skills. If people improve their management skills, then definitely they can save their time and use it in an effective way. By saving time, anyone can achieve their goals.

5. How to work smarter?

Working smarter means taking on one task at a time and completing it to the best of your ability. Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to working smarter. Multitasking can actually lead to decreased productivity and poor work quality. Also, try to eliminate distractions and focus on the task at hand. When you work smarter, you get more done in less time. By working smart, we can save our time and use it in an effective way so that we can achieve whatever we want in life, but it doesn't mean you take shortcuts in your work. By identifying your priorities, setting goals, and focusing on the most important tasks first, you can make sure that you are using your time wisely.

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Why It’s Important to Spend More Time with Friends and Family

Productivity 10/22/2019

While alone time is important for creativity and inspiration, spending quality time with friends and family is just as important.

Research shows that spending time with friends and family makes a big difference when it comes to happiness. Social time is especially important for happiness, even for introverts. Studies have proven that the amount of time spent with friends and family goes a long way towards boosting happiness – even more so than an increased income!  

Spending time with family and friends can even help you cope with stress. As Harvard happiness expert, Daniel Gilbert explains : “We are happy when we have family, we are happy when we have friends and almost all the other things we think make us happy are actually just ways of getting more family and friends.” So while money can’t buy you happiness, spending time with the ones you love, is always a good investment!

Spend Time with Family

Spending time with family is one of the best ways to create memorable experiences. Nothing can replace the time you spend with your family. This is especially true if you have children. With younger children, there’s a good chance that you already spend a lot of time with them. With older children and teenagers who may prefer to spend time with their friends, it can be more difficult to carve out family time.

If you don’t know where to start, consider starting small: dinner at the table or a board game in the evening. If games aren’t your family’s idea of a good time, try outside activities – perhaps a walk to the park. Even projects around the house can be a great way to get everyone involved and working towards a goal. Encourage your family to spend time together by looking out for opportunities to do things that everyone would be interested in. It may be a challenge at first, but soon it will become second nature.

Spend Time with Friends

As we get older and life gets faster, the time we once had for our friends seems to diminish. You might not notice it at first, but soon your coffee dates are being replaced by school meetings. Your carefree mornings are busy and rushed, and the phone calls you used to make daily to chat with your best friend are slowly turning into every other week (or month!) catch-up calls. Fitting in time for friends is sadly one of the first things to go when life gets busy, and before you know it – you hardly know the person you used to call your best friend.

This fact is though, that while this is tragic, it’s also preventable! Spending time with friends is one of the few pleasures in life that can cost you very little, but reward you substantially. It is also proven to be one of the best ways to combat stress. Spending time with your friends can help melt away the cares of the world and leave you a better person all around.

Carve out time for your friends, by scheduling it in. One way to do this successfully is to find common goals you both might have and spend your time together working on reaching those goals – accomplishing two things at the same time and making it easier to find time to spend with friends. An example would be working out together, walking the pets together, trying new things together, or scheduling the kids’ play dates with each other. You could also look out for special occasions to spend time with each other. These events don’t have to be huge social events. It could be as simple as inviting friends over to watch the Super Bowl or having your spouse look after the kids so you can go out for coffee.

Additional Benefits of Spending Time With Friends and Family

Some health benefits of maintaining a healthy quality time with your friends and family include:  

Spending time with family and friends relieves stress: According to a study by Carnegie Mellon University, individuals who spend more time with family and friends tend to have better coping mechanisms when it comes to handling stress . They tend to use their social group as a stress buffer, allowing them to communicate their stress instead of seeking negative coping mechanisms like alcohol and tobacco. 

Helps your overall well-being: Social groups provide emotional support, which helps you feel better about yourself. In fact, people who view their friends and family as supportive tend to have a greater feeling of meaning in life and a stronger sense of purpose than those who did not.

It’s great for heart health: Stress can encourage the development of inflammation in the arteries, which is a precursor to clogged arteries. A study found that when individuals have the support of family and friends, they actually have a lower pulse and blood pressure which, in time, helps to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Now go call a friend or family member!

Spending more time with your friends and family is beneficial to your mental wellbeing, as well as your relationships. With friends and family, your good times are better, and your sorrows are shared – so don’t overlook this important area in life!

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Quality time explained - the 5 love languages®.

Quality Time might be the easiest language to understand, but it can also be one of the easiest to misinterpret.

In this post, we’ll explain the Quality Time love language, take a look at some examples, and give you a list of ideas to help you create more quality time together!

If you haven’t yet discovered your love language, we’d like to invite you to take this  free quiz .

Quality Time Explained

If your partner’s primary   love language   is Quality Time, it means that they feel loved the most when you spend quality time with them. No brainer, right? Not so fast! Being around them just won’t cut. Neither will the standard movie night. Why? Because quality time is way more than just time, it’s attention. In fact, this love language should probably be renamed to “Quality Attention”, but that doesn’t sound as good.

If you want to show your partner some love and their language is Quality Time, remember the 3 Be’s!

Be Deliberate with Your Time

Turning a suddenly open night or some random free block in the schedule into quality time may not work. Yes, spontaneity and adventure are great, but individuals whose primary love language is Quality Time appreciate the effort and determination you place into that time together.

If your quality time is dedicated and pre-planned, your partner will feel like that time is theirs. It shows that you are thinking of them and want to give them their own special time. That quality time was set aside for them and only them. By doing so, you’re reinforcing the fact that they are most important.

Be Mentally Present

So, you spend some time planning something special, but then you’re on your phone the entire time. Nooope! Remember, more than the time, the attention is what’s most important. If you’re skimming emails, your phone has your attention, not your partner. If you are watching TV out of the corner of your eye at the restaurant, those sports players have your attention, not your partner.

Quality time means putting away the phone and clearing your brain of anything distracting so you can to ensure that your partner is your number one focus!

Be Affectionate

You planned a killer night out together. Check! You turned your phone off and are totally ready for some one-on-one time. Check! Now what? Well, be affectionate! Show your partner you love them. Be playful. Tell them how much you care. Again, show them that they are your world. That attention will go a long way in helping to affirm your love!

Quality Time: Date Night Challenge

Over the next week, we are challenging you to create some quality time together! Shocker, we know.

We do have some rules though. It only needs to be 45 minutes, but you must do it   every day . We’ve created a list of 10 options for you below. You can always pick your own, just make sure they all include the 3 Be’s!

Ideas for you Quality Time:

• Take a walk around the neighborhood.
• Do a puzzle or play a board game.
• Find a DIY project to do throughout the week (finishing a little each day).
• Plan out your next vacation together.
• Find a new recipe and make it for dinner together.
• Take a mini road trip.
• Go stargazing.
• Make homemade pizzas and eat while you watch the sunset.
• Write a country song together about your relationship.
• Play “If I Could” at the mall: Go to every store and chose one item they sell that you would buy your partner, if you could.

Want to learn even MORE about Quality Time?

Here at Crated with Love, we incorporate all of   The 5 Love Languages®   to help our couples closer together. Start your date night adventure and join thousands of other couples improving their relationships every month, one date night at a time!

Start Our Date Night Adventure!

Ready to dive deeper into another one of   The 5 Love Languages® ?

We’ve outlined all of different love languages and included date night challenges for each! Check them out below!

• Words of Affirmation
• Acts of Service
• Receiving Gifts
• Quality Time
• Physical Touch

What’s your love language?  Click here  to take the FREE QUIZ or  get your copy today ! The concepts of  The 5 Love Languages ® have been shared with permission. ©1992, 2015 Gary D. Chapman. All rights reserved.

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How to Write a Timed Essay

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

This article was co-authored by Arash Fayz . Arash Fayz is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of LA Tutors 123, an academic consulting and private tutoring company based in Los Angeles, California. Arash has over 10 years of educational consulting experience, managing the tutoring of students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to score higher on standardized tests and gain admission to their target schools. He has a BA in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. This article has been viewed 21,683 times.

Whether it be in a class or for a standardized test, students are often required to write a timed essay. Writing a timed essay is as much about organization and time management as it is about the quality of writing. Visit Step 1 to get started.

Divide Up Your Time

• Make sure the prompts wants you to write an essay and not just a simple short answer that could consist of a few sentences to one full paragraph.
• Pick a position/argument to organize your essay. Think in terms of the pros and cons of the arguments and what supporting details lead you to the facts you'd like to present in the essay.
• Jot down an outline on some scrap paper
• Write the essay based on the outline! Don't ever write without some notes and knowledge of the subject at hand.
• Proofread your essay. No reader ever wants grammatical and spelling errors to be present.
• Submit on time.

• Read and understand the prompt = 1.5 minutes
• Pick a position = 1.5 minutes
• Jot down an outline = 2 minutes
• Write = 21 minutes
• Revise = 3 minutes
• Submit = 1 minute

• Introduction: 3 minutes
• Paragraph 1: 6 minutes
• Paragraph 2: 5 minutes
• Paragraph 3: 5 minutes
• Conclusion: 2 minutes

During the Essay

Proofreading the Essay

Submitting the Essay

Expert Q&A

• Wear a wristwatch during your timed essay. Not every testing room will have a clock on the wall or a proctor who announces the time remaining at regular intervals. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Don't panic if you go over time on a particular section. You can make it up by going a little faster on the next section. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Pay special attention to the outlining at the beginning. If you have a solid structure and direction, the argument will seem focused and organized even if it has been written faster than you would do without a time limit. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ Arash Fayz. Test Prep Tutor. Expert Interview. 1 November 2019.

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