Every single person, regardless of differences like age, race, gender and ability, shares at least one thing in common. We all have the same 24 hours in a day.

Effectively managing this precious time takes practice, priorities, and preparation. You are never too young to begin taking responsibility over your routine, and there are so many benefits of understanding how to live with balance.

Managing your time begins with recognizing where it is spent. For example, if your grades are suffering, evaluate if your priorities are in order when it comes to getting enough sleep and study time. If you are feeling stressed out, take a look at if you need to build in exercise or free time for yourself. Take a close look at how advances technology can both help and hinder your productivity.

For an easy, eye opening activity to help you understand where your priorities are and time is spent, take a sheet of paper and break it into seven columns for each day of the week. Then shade the time you spend doing routine activities like sleeping, going to school, and free time in different colors. This break down will be helpful in organization, goal setting, and habits for success!

Time management skills are sure help you in all areas of your life now and especially in the future. One of the biggest observations of collegiate level coaches in all sports is how tough the transition often is from a high school to college athlete because their parents or guardians have always controlled the calendar, made appointments, and been in charge of managing time!

Your goal may not be to play your sport at the next level, however, as your progress through high school, college and a career, time management is an invaluable skill that is very important to your success. Spend time establishing a routine that both works for you and you feel control over.

Infographics used with permission of the BelievePerform Shop.