HUCL1101 Final Project: Gaining Control of Free Time - An Analysis

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of Laura Vanderkam's TED Talk, "How to Gain Control of Your Free Time," within the context of a HUCL1101 course. It explores the reasons for choosing the video, the key points emphasized by Vanderkam regarding time management and prioritization, and the personal relevance of these concepts. The essay also reflects on how Vanderkam's message challenged the author's personal philosophies about success and wealth accumulation, highlighting the transformative power of effective time management. The author connects Vanderkam's insights to their own experiences, illustrating the impact of time management on personal and professional achievements. Ultimately, the essay concludes that Vanderkam's message is powerful and challenges conventional perceptions of success, emphasizing the importance of making conscious choices and dedicating time to priority activities.

Running head: HOW TO GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR FREE TIME 1
How to Gain Control of Your Free Time
Name
Institution

HOW TO GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR FREE TIME 2
How to Gain Control of Your Free Time
Introduction
Time management is one of the most essential ways through which students and people
undertaking professional careers can gain effective control of their lives. In her TED talk session,
Vandekam (2016) reveals that every human being is provided with 24 hours each day and about
168 hours on a weekly basis. Based on the critical analysis advanced by Vandekam, “many of us
drastically overestimate our commitments each week, while underestimating the time we have to
ourselves”. However, the talk by Vandekam (2016) acted as an eye opener and made me realize
that successful individuals initiate the mechanisms of identifying the things they need in life and
make them a priority. In her perspective, the speaker reveals that the people who are considered
to be successful in the societies we live do not undertake their activities by institutionalizing the
mechanisms that will allow them to find time to allow them to undertake the activities they want.
On the contrary, these individuals initiate the mechanisms of identifying the things they need in
life and make them a priority. As a consequence, they spend the 24 hours that are provided by
each day and the 168 hours availed on a weekly basis engaging in activities that will lead to the
attainment of the priority (Gordon and Borkan, 2014). According to Kirillov et al. (2015) and
Talati (2015), time is not only one of the most essential commodities but also a precious resource
that needs to be managed with optimal degrees of adequacy. In the current study, I seek to
present the reasons why I chose to analyze Laura Vanderkam’s “How to Gain Control of Your
Free Time”, the important points emphasized and how they respond to the concepts of the
syllabus, relationship on a personal level, the extents to which the talk challenged my personal
beliefs and the extents to which the message was powerful and challenging.

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Reasons for Choosing the Video
I made Laura Vanderkam’s “How to Gain Control of Your Free Time” as my video of
choice in this module based on its position as an informative material in the issues of time
management. In my current position as a scholar and a future professional, I preempt that proper
acquisition of time management skills will be of great significance in propelling me towards full
realization of the success that I desire. On the other hand, I have been a great follower of Laura
Vanderkam based on her great levels of expertise in the issues of time management. therefore I
considered the module instructor’s move to include this TED talk as one of the course materials
as an opportunity that would allow me to learn more from this time management expert.
The Important Points Emphasized
The key significant points emphasized by Vandekam (2018) include the importance of
time management and the strategies that could play a significant role in helping an individual to
find time for the things that could be considered to be of greater essence in life. In her point of
view, Vandekam (2018) reveals that every person on earth is accorded 24 hours each day.
However success in life is only achieved when people dedicate most of their time on the
activities that matter most. On the other hand, the talk puts particular emphasis on effective time
management as a cornerstone of success in any person’s life.
Relating on a Personal Level
The undertakings put forth by Vandekam (2018) are highly applicable in my personal
life. I have experienced the detrimental effects of poor time management in my life as a
footballer. I wanted to become the most skilled footballer in my home team. However, I did not
embrace the schedules put forth by the coach for training sessions and tournaments. As a
consequence, most of my team mates often labeled me as a joker. Considering my habit as a

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person who never adhered to the set schedules, the team coach never took time to dedicate any
team activities to me. Further, the coach behaved in such a way that he did not appreciate my
presence in the team. However, I took time to read motivational books and newspaper articles
that addressed the importance of adopting effective time management skills in fostering
organizational success. It is only through these efforts that I appreciated the fact that I was the
problem in the home team. I decided to instill the desired operational changes that have played a
significant role in fostering my levels of dedication towards the team and a consequential
increase in my degrees of performance. Considering my levels of professional dedication to the
activities of the home team, the coach and other members accorded me the opportunity to serve
as the captain. Further, I managed to win a trophy due to my remarkable performance as the best
scorer in last year’s tournament. Such attainments have made me agree with the message put
forth by Vandekam (2018) on the importance of gaining control of my free time.
Challenge to Philosophies
Viewing the presentation played a crucial role in challenging my philosophies and beliefs
of success in life. Initially, I upheld the perception that a person cannot become wealthy through
adoption of straight forward operations. I only viewed accumulation of wealth as an act that was
meant for the corrupt members of the society who amassed possessions through adoption of
unscrupulous means. However, the talk by Vandekam (2018) acted as an eye opener and made
me realize that successful individuals initiate the mechanisms of identifying the things they need
in life and make them a priority.
In conclusion, I found the message put forth by Vandeka (2018) to be highly powerful in
changing my perceptions on the subject of success in life. I learned that success in life is greatly
determined by the ability of an individual to make the right choices then dedicate a better part of

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the 24 hours provided in a day to pursue these activities. Before viewing the presentation, I only
considered working hard as the greatest prerequisite to success. On the other hand, I only
viewed accumulation of wealth as an act that was meant for the corrupt members of the society
who amassed possessions through adoption of unscrupulous means. However, the talk acted as
an eye opener and made me realize that successful individuals initiate the mechanisms of
identifying the things they need in life and make them a priority.

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References
Gordon, C. E., & Borkan, S. C. (2014). Recapturing time: a practical approach to time
management for physicians. Postgraduate medical journal, postgradmedj-2013.
Kirillov, A. V., Tanatova, D. K., Vinichenko, M. V., & Makushkin, S. A. (2015). Theory and
practice of time-management in education. Asian Social Science, 11(19), 193.
Vanderkam, L. (2018). How to gain control of your free time. Retrieved from
https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_vanderkam_how_to_gain_control_of_your_free_time
Talati, S. (2015). Effective time management: tips for dental nurses. Dental Nursing, 11(3), 160-
163.