A task is defined as "a usually assigned piece of work often to be finished within a certain time". But the thing that's most important to notice here is that the word "task" is a singular item. Time-which is what we often try to manage first-is something much larger, something multiplicative in nature.

This is why you need to focus on the singularity of a task and the realization that time is far larger in scope. When you do that, you'll understand that managing a task is far more manageable than managing time. What will happen is that you end up managing one thing at a time rather than something that is far greater in size.

Failing that, remember this:

You can master a task, but you cannot master time.

You can take on a task over and over again and reasonably expect that you have a chance to come out on top. You can't take on time in the same manner and expect the same result nearly as often.

We place too much importance on the time we've got, and not enough on the task at hand. What we need to do is worry about figuring out how to do a great job with the tasks we're given rather than with the time we're given.

That's how you can really become not just more productive-but a better kind of productive in the process.

Much of our work is ruled by deadlines. We have due dates, and we are to finish our work by those dates. Sometimes we are given such work far in advance, sometimes we are given it with little to no notice, and sometimes the work is part of a greater routine we follow on a regular basis. Regardless, all of this work is generally ruled by time.

In order to be more productive and get to the good stuff-the stuff that we really want to do-we have to stop using this mindset. We have to stop focusing on being ruled by time and have to focus on being ruled by task instead. That's the only way we can really get ahead and get to the important stuff on our lists. Being ruled by time leaves you dealing with items of urgency. Being ruled by task allows you to deal with items of importance.