It is important to remember that time management is a skill that percolates its way into every aspect of life and is not limited to the professional sportsman. Bad time management can lead to stress and whilst a little stress can be stimulating but prolonged stress can have a detrimental effect on all aspects of life. Good time management can increase the chances of success by ensuring that tasks performed are undistracted and focussed.

Without properly managing time in an environment of large and differing commitments, an athlete can find themselves unable to find things, ill-prepared for events and unable to concentrate. Prioritisation is critical and it is important not just to find time to do the identified critical tasks; but to make time for them. 

- Use planners
- Create prioritised to-do lists and act on them
- Identify your creative thinking time - in the car, on the train - defend it and spend it alone
- Identify your dead time - waiting for appointments, travelling time - prepare to use it constructively; make essential phone calls, use flash revision cards
- Learn to say “No” if it does not help you meet your objectives
- Learn strategies to reduce the frequency and length of interruptions - example phrases – “I’m in the middle of something just now..” or start your response with “I’ve only got five minutes..” – you can always extend this if necessary
- Turn your mobile phone off whilst working

- Use planners
- Create prioritised to-do lists and act on them
- Identify your creative thinking time - in the car, on the train - defend it and spend it alone
- Identify your dead time - waiting for appointments, travelling time - prepare to use it constructively; make essential phone calls, use flash revision cards
- Learn to say “No” if it does not help you meet your objectives
- Learn strategies to reduce the frequency and length of interruptions - example phrases – “I’m in the middle of something just now..” or start your response with “I’ve only got five minutes..” – you can always extend this if necessary
- Turn your mobile phone off whilst working

It is important to focus time and energy on all areas of life and not just a few aspects; no aspects of life should be sacrificed; the aim should be for a balance of integration of sport and life.

Training: By far the number one claim on a player's time. A well planned and written training programme will help a player achieve their goals but it will need ycommitment.

Family: Families deserve quality time. Culture / Religion may have commitment on a player's time. Anniversaries / Birthdays don’t have to be missed if they are part of the schedule.

Work: With planning and scheduling this can be managed and integrated depending on the time management factor and flexible working arrangements.

Travel: Travelling is an integral part of an elite player's schedule and must be incorporated into their schedule / plan.

Sleep: Sleep is vital – it is a necessary function. Quality sleep and the right amount are required to recharge and rest limbs.

Study / Personal Development: A vital part of personal needs and development and its integration is far more manageable now than previously. Again this is an area that is all about planning and structuring.

Recovery: Massage, stretching, swimming or an alternative activity.

Obligations: Sponsors, Personal Appearances and Media time for example.

Competitions: Competitions are what the aims of the elite player are all about. Periods of competitions vary from hours to days to weeks. Players should remember to include the lead up period and the post competition period when accounting for this time.

Food: Players should ensure there is time to plan, prepare and acquire food as well as time to eat it. Some people feel that they are saving time by skipping meals but in fact this will reduce the levels of performance.

Learn To Negotiate: Everyone will want a 'piece' of an elite player. It can be a form of flattery, but sometimes if not managed it can affect a player personally and their performance. Players should think about who will want to know an elite rugby player?

- Every town / village a player has lived in
- Every school / college a player has attended
- Every club a player has represented
- Every colleague a player has worked with

All the above will feel that they have a personal attachment to the player or even ownership of the player. A player must learn to say 'no'. When someone asks a player to do something they shouldn't automatically say ‘yes’ but consider other commitments first. Keeping a diary in this instance is a useful tool. The only commitments a player must attend are those that a player plans and schedules or has signed to do.

Yearly Plan: A yearly plan will help a player to look at the year ahead as a whole. Yearly planners give an overview of forthcoming events and help to visualise the year and plan things around them accordingly. The planner will identify in advance if there are potential conflicts, most of which are resolvable with planning and good communication. As soon as a conflict is identified it can be acted on immediately. This is an area where the WRU PL Manager / adviser is an excellent contact to work through the scenarios.

Weekly Plan: A weekly plan will contain tasks needed to accomplish bigger goals. Tasks should be prioritised before the appropriate time is allocated to them by making a list of what needs to be achieved. Planning three or four weeks in advance can be helpful to the successful use of a weekly plan.

Daily Plan: A daily can be completed at the end of the previous day and let's a player know exactly what they need to do the following day. Diaries and schedules are a vital resource for today's elite performer.

A player can make sure they have the skills to use and utilize these resources by contacting their WRU Performance Lifestyle Manager or Advisor.