AFRICAN TRADITIONAL CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT

Objectives of the lecture

By the end of the study students are expected to know the following:
1. Define Time and Time management
2. Know the African concept of Time management
3. Causes of lateness /Time Mismanagement
4. Effects of poor timing/ misuse of time.
5. Techniques for time management.

TIME DEFINED
Time is the one resource we all share. However, what we choose to do within the time we have
and how we actually spend our time differ widely across individuals. "What you pay attention to
and spend time on communicate what you value" Kent Peterson (1991). Peter Drucker, a
management expert, asserts that time is the limiting factor for an effective executive. Time is a
unique resource you cannot rent, hire, buy or otherwise obtain more time. Gidlens (l98l) also
defines time as a productive resource, which can be measured, spent, saved, wasted and
scheduled.
Time, according to Watkins (l986) is something that cannot be bought but more value could be
placed on it. He continues to say that time is a non-renewable resource; every hour that passed is
gone forever.

TYPES OF TIME
Basically, there are two types of time: clock time and biological time. Clock time refers to the
time in which activities are governed by the use of the clock, where time is scheduled. For
instance, in a school set up there is time for lectures and for each lesson. At work places there is
time for work and time for break. Observing clock time is very vital in day-to-day activities of
humans. For instance, businesses, schools, hospitals, banks, shops, function according to time
and employees are paid according to the number of hours worked. Biological time on the other
hand refers to the natural rhythm of time that all-human beings experience. There is time for
eating and time to go to bed. Also, there is time when a boy or girl reaches puberty. Again there
is time for a child to sit, craw and walk
AFRICAN CONCEPT OF TIME
Cultures differ in their concepts of time. Let's compare the European and the African concept of
time. ln considering the African view of time, we must note that there are different cultures in
Africa Sonic African peoples' concepts will be more like those of the West than seine others.
Thus what I am saying should be understood as qualified by the phrases in the traditional view
and for many African cultures. The view point of some African peoples and individuals today
will be different. But you will find the traditional view pervading modern Africa.

European Time
Let me analyze the European view of time for comparison. ln the European view, the movement
of time would be forward, coming from behind us. Europeans have the idea that time exists as an
entity in itself and it moves. For instance, there is a saying like time waits for no man. In the
Western view, an event is a component of time. Thus once an event is over part of time has been
spent, As time moves, you must use it or lose it. lf you do not use it, it is gone.

African Time
In the African view of time one might say that time flows backwards. It flows toward you from
the future, and the more or faster the activity, the faster time flows, Time is created, in a sense.
Time is not something in itself. Life is made up of events, defined by relationships. Time is a
component of the event, for implying that once an event is over time is completely over.

Your activity really determines the amount of time that passes. Thus, the faster you work, the
more time you use, because more activity is occurring, more energy is being used. If you are
sitting and resting, you are conserving time. Time is not actually passing; it is simply waiting for
you. lt must be noted however that if one relaxes or sleeps for eight (8) hours a day it implies that
the person spends one-third of his/her lifetime without working.

Time is a human and non-human resource, which is used by everybody formally and informally.
Before the manufacture of clocks and watches the traditional Africans and for that matter
Ghanaians had ways of reading or observing time and applied it to all their activities that were
carried out. These include the used of shadows, sun, moon, stars, singing of birds, playing of
drums etc. For instance, when the sun is directly overhead, the time reads l2noon, which is mid-
day. Again, the first crow of cock indicates that it is midnight, it then crows again at 2am and
then 4am. When majority of them crows frequently it indicates that it is time to get out of bed.
Furthermore, when one`s shadow is twice his or her height, the time reads 2pm. If one stands on
his or her shadow Drumming was also used to inform people about time. Along the coastland of
Ghana moonlight nights are periods of low catch for fishermen.

AFRICANS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS TIME

ln view of the African’s crude way of timing, Africans/ Ghanaians respond then it is l2noon.
poorly to time and this has led to sayings like ‘African Punctuality’ and "Ghana Man’s Time”
(GMT). ln view of this most functions and meetings hour or more late, no wonder most of our
leaders begin their speeches with apologies and excuses to explain why they were late to the
gathering or meeting
Furthermore, African societies are less competitive as a result of our poor attitude to time. Again,
the humane and hospitality nature of Africans / Ghanaians encourages our poor attitude to time.
The offenders are always left unpunished. Superstition also aids in our bad timing. A typical
latecomer will say if I had come earlier perhaps worse thing might have occurred.

CAUSES OF LATENESS/TIME MISMANAGEMENT

1. Lack of self-discipline-Not time conscious.

2. Poor planning. Poor planning occurs when activities are not scheduled according to
specific time. Poor planning can result in delay in performing activities.

3. Lack of priorities. Priorities are activities which are regarded or treated as more important
than others. As a student learning and class assignment exercises takes priority over any
other matter.

4. Indecision-Some people are unable to make decisions for themselves.

 5. Procrastination-Some people deliberately wait till the last minute before they do what
they are supposed to do. Procrastination is a negative delay. Tedious and difficult tasks
are usually those that we put off doing. Yet, it is these tasks that are essential to success,
Procrastination slows achievements of current goals and restricts future opportunity as
time is wasted or clogged up.

EFFECIS OF POOR TIMING/MISUSE OF TIME

l. Because we go to work late we are unable to produce enough and this leads to low
productivity.
2. Low productivity leads to lo\v income as nothing or very little is left to be sold in order
to make income.
3. Low income leads to low or no savings.
4. Because there are no savings there will be no investments. Hence jobs are not created
and this leads to high unemployment rates in Africa.
5. This high unemployment rate leads to poverty and this partly explains the high level
of
poverty in Africa.

HOW TO DEAL WITH AFRICANS’ PROBLEM OF LATENESS

1 Efficient leader must always be chosen.
2. Crude way of timing must be done away with.
3. Functions must start as scheduled.
4. Latecomers must be punished.
5. Time consciousness must be inculcated in the youth through education.

PATTERN OF TIME
Time has been categorized under three main headings according to its specific application. These
include work time, household work time and non-work (leisure) time. Work time refers to the
amount of working hours or time spent on income generating activities. This varies according to
the type of work. Household work time is used in putting home in order. These include washing.
cooking, cleaning, etc. Non-working (leisure) time on the other hand is the time when one is no'
working or bus) he or she therefore relaxes and enjoys himself or herself.

TIME MANAGENIENT IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA

Time management is commonly defined as the management of time in order to make the most
out of it. David Allen observes that one cannot manage time, it just is. So “time management" is
a mislabeled problem, which has little chance of being an effective approach. What you really
manage is your activity during time, and defining outcomes and physical actions required is the
core process required to manage what you do. Time management can refer to all of the practices
that individuals follow to make better use of their time. As narrowly defined, it refers to
principles and systems that individuals use to make conscious decisions about the activities that
occupy their time. Some of the recently generalized arguments which relate 'Time' and
Management' point out, that the term-‘time management' is a bit misleading, and the concept
should actually imply that it is "The management of our own activities, to make sure that they
are accomplished within the available or allocated time, which is an unmanageable continuous
resource". Time management is the effective and efficient use of time. This implies that no one
actually manages time. However, one can actually manage his/her use of time by clearly
identifying his /her personal and professional goals and there by scheduling his /her time to
reflect that.

There are four types of managerial time which include the following:
l. “Operational time- lt is the time necessary to correct yesterday’s errors. Records have
shown that successful people use about 25% of their time on operational issues.
2. Strategic time- lt is the time needed to plan for the future.
3. Innovative time- lt is the time needed to become more competitive in future.
4. Kaizen time- lt is the time needed for the continuous or on going improvements to
ensure
that we will have a prosperous tomorrow.
TECHNIQUES FOR TIME MANAGEMENT
l. Planning/scheduling time-
Planning is an activity we perform before taking action. lt is a process of deciding what to
do, how to do it, when to do it, and for whom. During planning, what is important must
be built into the schedule otherwise it will never get done. That is, one must set goals for
him or herself. This is because unimportant events are always there to fill the void. Set
yourself realistic schedules and then stick to them. Planning facilitates progress and
improves performance. It is important to note that if you fail to take time to plan, you are
in effect planning to fail.

2. Prioritize your task:

Always you must reflect on which responsibilities/tasks are essential or non-essential.
This will help you to know where to concentrate. Prioritizing is an effective way to
isolate and manage the interruptions and unexpected items. It is on records that only 20-
25% of a student’s time is controllable, and the student is interrupted every 10-15
minutes. This fact not only suggests the need to minimize interruption but also to plan
them into your day.

3. Reflecting on the effectiveness of daily routines:

Reflecting on the effectiveness of daily routines to determine whether they actually help
in get things done on a time-efficient way or if their use tends to inhibit creative abilities.
Abandoning or altering a routine will present one with an opportunity to approach a
familiar task in a new way and in doing so, possibly become more productive.

4. Identify your peak performance and use that effectively:

Identify your peak performance and use that effectively. Sensitivity to one’s most
creative or best thinking time can help you schedule those tasks that require the greatest
concentration at times when your performance is optimal, best, of course, this will not
always be possible.

5. Delegation of duty.
Where possible one must delegate his/her powers/duty.
When delegating your powers, the following must be considered:
A) Clear objectives must be set.
B) Standard of performance must be stated.
C) Appropriate authority is granted.
D) Adequate resources are allocated.
E) Clear reporting arrangements are made.
F) Team members are encouraged to seek help when needed.
G). Those involved are thanked for their efforts.