SR. WINIFRED DIAGBOYA OLA.

It was with great joy and while still “basking” in the Spirit, of the ongoing one-year celebration  marking the 70th anniversary of our great institution; OLA Catholic Hospital, Oluyoro, Oke-Ofa, that Management, Staff and some invited guests organized  a workshop tagged “TIME MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL LITERACY.”

This was facilitated by Prince Charles Fapohunda, as part of the events marking the Jubilee of the hospital.   The workshop aimed at proposing ways to improve productivity, enhance prioritization, reduce stress and increase control over time, tasks and money, thus enlightening participants on effective ways to stay focused, manage time and resources so as to make meaningful progress in their work and personnel lives.

 Below are fruits from the workshop which was a serious eye opener for all the 70 participants in attendance.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS:

Time: Time refers to the system of measuring and quantifying the duration of events and intervals between them. It helps organize daily activities, schedules and historical records.

MANAGEMENT: Management is the process of planning, organizing, leading and controlling resources; including human, financial, physical and information; to achieve organizational or personal goals efficiently and effectively.

 A question was asked “CAN TIME BE MANAGED?” after which he gave a quote in response;” “Time Management is a Misnomer”, the only challenge is to manage ourselves” (Stephen Covey) in other words, we cannot control time, time moves at its natural pace, we can only effectively manage ourselves. Time is not subjective.

In an attempt to describe time; he came up with the following:

• Time is a constant
• Time is a limited resource, yet abundant
• Time is spatial and inflexible
• Time is in constant motion
• Time has no fixed value
• Time is a measure of life

EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT MINDSET FOR WORKERS

The following illustrations were presented to teach participants the act of prioritization:

1. THE BIG ROCKS: This illustration was used to teach time management and prioritization. It featured filling a jar with stones first, then pebbles and then sand and by so doing each could fit into the jar.  The second illustration was filing the jar with sand, pebbles and stones, the same quantity that earlier on filled the jar conveniently, could not. The following lessons on prioritizing our needs could be drawn:

• The big rocks- your most important things: family, health, purpose in life, relationships and faith
• The pebbles- consist of the less critical tasks such as job, school, home, commitments.
• The sand - this represent small stuff, distractions, social media, minor chores and some unimportant things.

 

THE LESSON: Put your big rocks in first, that is; focus on what truly matters and the rest will fall in place.

Planning, Scheduling, Prioritizing and   Completion Technique:

1. The Eisenhower Matrix: This time management tool divides tasks into 4 parts

• Quadrant 1 (Urgent and Important): This include tasks that require immediate attention and are critical to set goals or success e.g. crisis, deadlines, pressing problems.

 

• Quadrant 2 (important but not urgent): You may schedule when you can carry them out e.g. planning, preventive maintenance, relationships, building, skill development. Set a time line for them to ensure you carry them out.

 

• Quadrant 3 (Urgent but not important): These tasks require attention but do not contribute significantly to core goals.  You may delegate since they are often tasks that can be done by someone else. e.g. emails, phone calls, certain meetings, helping a colleague with a non-critical task etc.

 

• Quadrant 4 (Not urgent and not important) These tasks are distractors and time wasters.  You may do well to delete them from your to do list since they do not contribute meaningfully to your life. e.g. mindless scrolling on social media, excessive TV watching, unimportant meetings for idle gossips e.t.c.

  By using this Eisenhower matrix technique, you can gain better control over your time and focus on what truly matters.

1. THE PROMODORO (TOMATOES) TECHNIQUE

It is a time management technique developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. It helps to improve focus and productivity. It helps to break down tasks into focused intervals namely 25 minutes in length with short breaks.

1.  Choose a task, if it is a large project try to break it down to manageable tasks.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes.
3.  Focus exclusively on the said tasks undistracted for the entire 25 minutes. If an idea not related to the task pops up, jot down and stay focused.
4.  Take a short break when the 25 minutes is over at the sound of the tomato like alarm for 3 to 5 minutes.
5.  After the break set your timer for another 25 minutes of work
6. Take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes after completing four promodoros (about 2 hours).

This helps you to keep focused and resist distractions. It also prevents burn out from work.

 

1. THE A,B,C,D,E PRIORITIZATION TECHNIQUE: This technique follows this order;

 

1.  MUST DO: The most important task, it is something you must do as failure would result in some consequences, more like a do or die affair.
2. SHOULD DO:  Is also something that you must do but does not have a critical deadline, you will suffer minor consequences unlike the latter a tasks.
3. NICE TO DO: This is something that is good if you do, if not it is not a do or die affair e.g. to call a friend
4.  DELEGATE: You can delegate this tasks to another person. you do not have to do it
5.  ELIMINATE: It does not fit into any criteria for the mentioned letters and it should be eliminated because it is irrelevant and a waste of time.

It helps to assign tasks according to their priorities to help.

 

THE TASK LIST

This is another suggested technique to help manage time and get tasks done according to schedule. A task list is a structured list of activities, duties or assignments that need to be completed within a specific time frame. This list helps individuals or teams stay organized, prioritize work and track progress.

KEY COMPONENTS OF A TASK LIST

1. Tasks/activities (define your tasks that need to be completed)
2. Deadlines (specify due dates or time frames for each task)
3. Priority levels (indicate  the importance or urgency of each task)
4.  Assignees: Names of individuals responsible for completing each task.

We were also invited to note the following salient points:

• Time management is a misnomer
• We manage our activities within the confines of time
• Our activities can be categorized as either URGENT  or IMPORTANT
• Scheduling, prioritizing, planning and  technology are all tools aimed at helping us maximize our utilization of time
• Time is constant, flowing, non-expandable, non-static and a measure of life.

FINANCIAL LITERACY: This has to do with;

• Understanding how to read financial numbers
• Enhancing financial literacy
• Improving budgeting and cash flow management
• Developing better financial planning abilities.

One of the ways of implementing the above is budgeting. A budget is essentially a financial plan that outlines expected income and expenses over specific period. It helps one to allocate resources efficiently, control spending and ensure you’re saving enough for future goals.

Cash flow refers to the movement of money into and out of your account. Positive cash flow means more money coming in than going out, which is essential for growth and sustainability.

Critical point refers to a moment or decision that significantly impacts your financial health, being proactive and prepared for these moments, helps in making better financial decisions, for instance a major surgery or other medical expenses, a quit notice from your landlord e.t.c.

TIPS FOR INCREASING CASH INFLOW:

• Diversify your income streams by exploring side hustle (part time job, entrepreneurial ventures, secondary income stream) or investments
• Improve our billing process to endure timely payments from customers

Tips for reducing Cash outflow:

• Cut unnecessary expenses and negotiate better terms with suppliers
• Implement cost-saving measures, such as energy – efficient practices.

MITIGATION STRATEGIES OR CONTINGENCY PLANNING: They include the following;

• Setting aside a portion of your income for emergencies.
• Reviewing your budget regularly to accommodate any changes.
• Consulting with financial advisors for major financial decisions.

On a final note, we were told that if we plan our time and resources well, we will maximize our financial strength and get our tasks done in record time and live more meaningful and purposeful life.

 

 

Every participant expressed appreciation to the facilitator for this eye opener and promised to put to use, the suggested tips and techniques especially in carrying out their tasks as hospital personnel and most importantly in their personal lives.

Our appreciation goes to the Proprietor of the Hospital, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Abegunrin for his fatherly support and contributions towards seeing to the steady growth of the hospital. We congratulate him for this land mark celebration of the hospital.

The 70th anniversary of the hospital continues with the following celebrations;

1. Medical outreach phase 2 (day surgeries, consultations and free medications) Venue: OLA CATHOLIC HOSPITAL OLUYORO, OKE OFA. 22ND AUGUST, 2025
2. OLUYORO BABIES DAY/FUND RAISING 20TH SEPTEMBER, 2025 10AM
3. MEMORIAL MASS FOR ALL DECEASED OLA SISTERS, HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS, STAFF AND PATIENTS 7TH NOVEMBER, 2025 10AM
4. GALA AND AWARDS NIGHT/FUND RAISING/150 YEARS OF FOUNDATION BY THE OLA SISTERS 11TH MARCH 2026
5. THANKSGIVING MASS/FUND RAISING/RAFFLE DRAWS, FUNFAIR AND THE GRAND FINALE OF OUR CELEBRATION 12TH MARCH, 2026.

WE WANT TO USE THIS MEDIUM TO INVITE  EVERY ONE TO CELEBRATE WITH US  AND  TO SOLICIT FOR SUPPORT, AS WE PLAN TO PROCURE A HIGH DEPENDENCY UNIT FOR THE HOSPITAL, TO ENABLE US IMPROVE OUR CARE FOR THE SICK NEEDING SUCH SERVICES.

LONG LIVE!!! OLA CATHOLIC HOSPITAL OLUYORO, CELELBRATING 70 YEARS OF DEDICATION TO HEALTH CARE DELIVERY.

FOR SUPPORT PLEASE SEND YOUR DONATIONS TO

OLA CATHOLIC HOSPITAL AT 70

BANK: ZENITH BANK PLC

NO. 1229908320

 

SR. WINIFRED DIAGBOYA OLA.

For the MANAGEMENT.