Author: Admin

Time management is a skill that can transform your life, and small changes often lead to big results.

On a recent episode of the Cultivating Curiosity podcast, Travis Mountain, editor of “Time Management: 10 Strategies for Better Time Management,” shared his expert advice to help you reclaim your time and focus on what matters most.

Mountain, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist in financial planning, draws from this popular publication and his extensive knowledge to offer practical tips for making the most of your time.

1. Know how you spend your time

The first step to managing your time effectively is understanding where it’s currently going.

“Track your time in 15-minute increments,” suggested Mountain, who also serves as an assistant professor in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences. “Write down what you did, how you felt about it, and whether it was a productive use of your time.”

Once you’ve identified patterns, you can better allocate your time to meaningful tasks.

2. Set priorities

Not all tasks are created equal. Mountain emphasized the importance of differentiating between what’s urgent, important or neither.

“Remember, something urgent for someone else might not be urgent for you. You need to balance the pros and cons of taking on tasks,” he advised.

This includes learning to say no when necessary to focus on what truly matters.

3. Use a planning tool

From pen and paper to digital apps, find a system that helps you organize and track your tasks.

“Many people don’t realize they already have tools built into their smartphones,” Mountain pointed out.

Features like screen-time trackers can reveal how you’re spending your day, while apps and software can help you plan more effectively.

4. Get organized

A cluttered workspace or inbox can disrupt your productivity.

“People working in cluttered environments often struggle with time management,” Mountain said. He recommends categorizing emails or creating folders for quick access to important items, as digital organization saves time and reduces stress just as much as organization in our physical environment.

5. Schedule appropriately

Maximize your productivity by aligning tasks with your energy levels.

“I’m most productive in the morning,” Mountain shared. “That’s when I tackle my most important or difficult tasks. Less urgent tasks, like replying to emails, can wait until later in the day.”

Identify your peak productivity times and plan accordingly.

6. Delegate: Get help from others

Delegation isn’t just for managers — it’s a strategy everyone can benefit from.

“For example, I pay someone to mow my lawn,” Mountain said. “It frees up my time for more productive tasks.” Whether it’s hiring help or using services like grocery delivery, offloading some responsibilities can be a game-changer.

7. Stop procrastinating

Procrastination is a common pitfall. Mountain said if one of your habits is to allocate time for a project but repeatedly put it off, it may be helpful to break those tasks into smaller steps to make them less daunting and easier to commit to starting — even if it’s just for a few minutes.

8. Manage time-wasters

Effective time management starts with recognizing and addressing time-wasters. Mountain suggested that many people inadvertently waste time by getting caught up in smaller, less critical tasks, like working through emails first thing without evaluating the importance or urgency of each email. Similarly, as virtual meetings have become standard practice for many professionals, they can consume a lot of time.

“Do I really need to have this meeting via Zoom? Could it be that we could just talk on the phone and I can do some health exercise while I’m on the call?” Mountain said.

The key is ensuring that time is used efficiently, minimizing distractions and questioning whether certain tasks or meetings are necessary.

9. Avoid multitasking

Although multitasking was once viewed as a valuable skill, research now shows that it often leads to inefficiency. “You’re much better off doing some type of bucketing system,” Mountain said.

Rather than juggling multiple tasks at once, it’s more effective to dedicate set time blocks to one project at a time. Multitasking can result in neither task being completed well.

“Research shows that chances are you’re not going to get either of them done, or if you do, neither of them are going to be done very well,” he said. “Focusing on one thing at a time improves the quality of work and helps manage time more effectively.”

10. Stay healthy

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for managing time effectively. Mountain emphasized the importance of evaluating your tasks and prioritizing the most important ones, including asking an often overlooked question: Are the things that I have on this agenda or this task list really important?

It’s about recognizing that some tasks might not be as urgent or important as they seem. Managing stress and balancing work with family time is essential for both mental and physical well-being. Good time management contributes to personal health, reducing stress and giving you more energy for both work and personal life.

Learn more about the 10 strategies in the full publication from UGA Extension, “Time Management: 10 Strategies for Better Time Management.”

At MARTA, a dedicated Customer Experience team is working behind the scenes to improve your ride today and in the future. They’re not just transit professionals; they’re riders, too. They know the frustration of waiting for a train without real-time updates or switching between multiple apps to plan a trip. That’s why they’ve set out to change the way you experience MARTA.

A Smarter Digital Experience

MARTA’s website has long been a hub of useful information for riders, but the Customer Experience team saw an opportunity to make it even better. Leading the charge are David Emory, Senior Director of Customer Technology, and Anthony Thomas, Manager of Customer Technology Products, who have been listening to customers, studying what works, and collaborating with experts in transit technology. The result? A plan to build a website that not only delivers important information but also makes commuting easier.

From real-time tracking to better trip-planning tools, the redesigned site will help riders stay connected and informed. Imagine opening your phone and instantly seeing when your bus will arrive, whether your train is delayed, or how to navigate fare payments.

The team calls it MARTA’s “digital front door”—a gateway to a smoother, more connected transit experience.

One App for Everything

Have you ever thought, “Why do I need so many apps just to ride MARTA?” You’re not alone. The Customer Experience team felt the same way, and they’re busy creating a single app that does it all.

It’s not just about convenience, though that’s a big part of it. It’s also about building something that works the way riders expect. Need to check train times? Plan a trip? Pay your fare? Report an issue? Soon, you’ll be able to do it all in one place.

The team is designing the app to make navigating MARTA as simple as scrolling through social media. And they’re thinking ahead, ensuring the app is ready for the future of transit, from on-demand services to new fare collection systems.

A New Way to See MARTA

The improvements aren’t just happening on your phone. The team is also transforming how information is displayed across stations and stops.

Picture arriving at a station and instantly seeing clear, real-time updates on when your train will arrive or which bus to take next. That’s what the new digital signage will do. From sleek, large-format screens in stations to smaller displays at bus stops and onboard trains, these upgrades will make navigating MARTA easier and more intuitive.

“Our goal is to make MARTA’s technology feel effortless for riders,” said David Emory. “Whether it’s checking a schedule, planning a trip, or getting real-time updates, we want people to have the information they need right when they need it—without frustration.”

Consistency will be key. Whether you’re looking at the app, the website, or a station screen, the design and information should be seamless. It will all be part of a system built to keep riders confident and informed at every step of their journey.

More Than Just Technology

For the Customer Experience team, this isn’t just a job—it’s a mission. They’re thinking about the people behind the screen: the commuter rushing to catch a bus, the student navigating MARTA for the first time, the Atlanta sports fan heading to a Falcons, Hawks, or Atlanta United game.

“We ride MARTA too,” said Anthony Thomas. “We know how important it is to have clear, reliable information when you’re on the move. That’s what motivates us every day.”

This work isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t happen overnight, but the results will be transformative. By focusing on the small details that make a big difference, MARTA’s Customer Experience team is building a transit system that puts riders first. And for MARTA riders, that means a more reliable, seamless, and stress-free commute—now and in the future.

To read all of JAMES Magazine Online’s daily news, SUBSCRIBE HERE. *Subscription includes a complimentary subscription to JAMES Magazine.

Legislation introduced by some of Georgia’s top lawmakers could change the way the state school superintendent is chosen. While this is currently an elected position statewide, House Resolution 174, could change to an appointed position by members of the State Board of Education, if Georgia voters give the okay.

If approved, HR 174 by Rep. Matt Dubnik, R-Gainesville, would appear on the ballot for Georgians in 2026 as a proposed state constitutional amendment.

This amendment would also change the way State Board of Education members are chosen. Members are currently appointed by the Governor, but this amendment would allow members of the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Senate of a congressional district the power to vote on State Board of Education members of the same congressional district. Those board members would appoint the state school superintendent.

House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, R-Milton, and House Education Committee Chair Chris Erwin, R- Homer, have also signed onto this legislation.

Dubnik has said he believes the state school board should pick the state superintendent like local school boards pick their superintendents — adding that this system aligns the priorities of the superintendent with those members of the education board.

In other education related news, the House Education Policy Subcommittee passed a comprehensive school safety bill.

HB 268 by state Rep. Holt Persinger, R-Winder, would create a statewide student information database run by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to improve information sharing between school systems, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. HB 268 also requires school systems to create threat management teams, include behavioral threat assessment management plans in school safety plans, and requires that students receive instruction on violence prevention and suicide awareness.

HB 268 was amended to state that if schools do not receive incoming students’ critical records within a designated time frame, schools may find alternative placement, including virtual student instruction, until the required records arrive.

HB 81 by state Rep. Bethany Ballard, R-Warner Robins, which seeks to enter Georgia into the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, passed the full House by a vote of 165-2.

Marking the 11 th year since its founding, Great Gwinnett Wetlands 2025 will incorporate two worksites devoted to restoring native wildlife habitats. Hosted on Saturday, March 1, the annual wetlands stewardship event coincides with the United Nations’ World Wildlife Day, a global observation designed to celebrate wild animals and plants and their unique contributions to the planet. As one of the largest counties in Georgia’s Piedmont Region, Gwinnett County is abundant with wetlands that surround area creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Those wetlands are home to countless species of local flora and fauna. Great Gwinnett Wetlands is vital to the ongoing stewardship of Gwinnett’s numerous wetlands. In addition to building awareness of the essential role wetlands play, the event also protects their vitality by removing litter and overgrowth, which harm water resources like the Yellow River, the Chattahoochee River, and, ultimately, the near-pristine Altamaha River. Great Gwinnett Wetlands organizers at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett Water Resources are issuing a call for volunteers to aid in the cleanup.

“World Wildlife Day is celebrated two days after our event, all across the globe,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “I can think of no better way to celebrate than by ridding our local wildlife’s habitats of litter and pollutants, as well as invasive privet that may harm the health of the wetlands they call home. Wetlands are special ecosystems where land and water meet. Their inhabitants include everything from the fish, salamanders, and frogs that are plentiful in the water to the birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and deer that live and forage on the land. We’ll need as many volunteers as possible to make a meaningful impact on the day of our event. Volunteers should expect to get a little dirty while they do something beautiful for our community and the animals that share it with us.”

In addition to being home to local flora and fauna, wetlands are “saturated lands” that act as sponges – collecting and storing excess water to help prevent flooding. As stormwater runoff enters a wetland, often carrying litter and nonpoint source pollutants with it, the wetland captures trash and can even provide some treatment of those pollutants. Multiple teams of volunteers will fan out across two wetland locations to collect water quality data, remove litter, and cut back invasive privet. The two Great Gwinnett Wetlands 2025 worksites include:

• Site 1 – Club Drive Park – Led by Parks & Recreation staff, volunteers will conduct a clean-up and manage invasive plant species to prevent deterioration of this local wetland.

• Site 2 – Gateway Park at Gas South District – Led by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett Water Resources staff, volunteers will participate in a litter clean-up and help with erosion control.

Marlatt invites anyone interested to register for the location of their choosing through Volunteer Gwinnett and be part of this impactful initiative. Check-in takes place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, at the site they designate when registering. For Club Drive Park, that site is located at 3330 Club Drive in Lawrenceville. For Gateway Park, that site is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Questions can be directed to 678.277.0904.  To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and its upcoming events, please visit www.GwinnettCB.org.

With the U.S. having gained 256,000 jobs in December, WalletHub today released updated rankings for its report on Changes in Unemployment Rate by State, along with expert commentary.

In order to take stock of how unemployment rates are changing throughout the U.S., WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on six key metrics that compare unemployment rate statistics from the latest month for which data is available (December 2024) to key dates in 2024, 2023, 2020 and 2019.

Best Change in Unemployment	Worst Change in Unemployment
1. South Dakota	42. Rhode Island
2. Connecticut	43. Colorado
3. New Hampshire	44. Indiana
4. Hawaii	45. District of Columbia
5. Vermont	46. Illinois
6. Virginia	47. California
7. Montana	48. Michigan
8. Oklahoma	49. South Carolina
9. Wisconsin	50. Nevada
10. Maryland	51. Kentucky

To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-unemployment-rates/74907

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Executive Director of the Georgia Transportation Alliance Joseph Santoro talks about the importance of improving Georgia’s transportation system as the population continues to expand.

 In a night of celebration, inspiration, and philanthropy, Morehouse College honored John Hope Bryant, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, with the esteemed “Candle Award” at its 37th Annual “A Candle in the Dark” Gala. This premier event, held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta, recognized Bryant’s outstanding contributions to civic engagement and entrepreneurship—a legacy he has championed for over three decades.

The gala, one of the nation’s foremost celebrations of African American excellence, raised an impressive $6.8 million to support student scholarships, furthering Morehouse College’s mission to develop leaders who will shape the future.

A Visionary Leader in Financial Empowerment
Bryant is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and financial literacy advocate whose impact spans industries and communities nationwide. As the Founder of The Promise Homes Company, the largest minority-controlled owner of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental homes in the U.S., and the driving force behind Operation HOPE, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to financial literacy and economic inclusion, Bryant has transformed countless lives. Morehouse College recognized him for his unwavering commitment to empowering underserved communities in metro Atlanta and beyond.

Commitment to Education and Social Impact
The Morehouse College Candle Award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon individuals who exemplify professional excellence, leadership, and a profound commitment to community service—values deeply embedded in Morehouse’s rich legacy. During the gala, Bryant reinforced his dedication to education by announcing a $100,000 personal commitment to support Morehouse students from underserved backgrounds pursuing degrees in finance, business, and entrepreneurship.

“Financial literacy, education, and community engagement are at the core of Morehouse College’s storied history, making this recognition a profound honor,” said Bryant. “Morehouse is the birthplace of transformative movements and home to leaders like Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am proud to continue advancing this mission and championing financial empowerment for future generations.”

Celebrating Excellence and Achievement
Bryant was honored alongside an illustrious group of trailblazers, including:

• Otis Moss, III –Senior Pastor, Poet, Activist, Author, and Filmmaker

• Pharrell Williams – Award-winning Recording Artist, Philanthropist & Fashion Designer

• Rashaun L. Williams – Venture Capitalist, Educator, and Atlanta Falcons Limited Partner

• Marvin Dunn – Author, Educator, Historian, Veteran, and Social Activist

• Bryan Rand – Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Rand & Co Holdings LLC

Since its inception in 1989, “A Candle in the Dark” Gala has become a cornerstone event for Morehouse College, recognizing African American achievement and raising vital scholarship funds. The sold-out event drew more than 800 distinguished guests, including Morehouse College and HBCU alumni, business and civic leaders, and philanthropists. To view a replay of the live stream, click HERE.