Time is a precious commodity. It remains unconquerable. It cannot be expanded, accumulated, mortgaged, hastened or retarded. The supply of time is fixed at a constant 24 hours per day no matter who you are. Time is beyond man's control. Managing the available time is, therefore, an important aspect of self-management. This leads me to the next suggestion.
Suggestion # 2 Respect thy Time
Make it a habit to rise early around the same time. Activities for the day need to be well planned and profitably utilized. Stress and strain, haste and anxiety are chiefly due to improper planning or absence of planning. You will avoid unnecessary tension if you observe the discipline of time. Have a time for every activity and do it to the best of your ability in the allotted time. Try always to be punctual. Postponement and advancement, speeding up and slowing down, limping and flaring up--are all indicative of poor time management.
Quite often, we lose a lot of time in searching for little things like pen, home/car/office keys, wallet, cell phone, belt, ID card etc. Set a place for every object and invariably make it a point to keep every object in its allotted space. We save thereby time and a lot of energy. We need not have to search for misplaced articles. If you have too many keys to handle, make sure each key is color-coded so that you don't waste time in trying out the keys. Proper labeling of files, CDs, tapes, kitchen containers, power cords for various devices etc can really help to pick out what you want quickly.
Too many things in a given space can give a cluttered look. Some habitats look almost like mini-jungles. Misplaced items are often difficult to find - at least until you buy a replacement. The advantages of organizing things properly and physical discipline are immense. You will not only save time and money but you will find the orderliness a beauty.
Hindu rituals attach a lot of importance to time management. In Indian marriages, we have an auspicious time earmarked as "Muhurtam". It is intended for the marriage to be solemnized during that period. The priests will drive everyone to ensure that the rituals are completed and 'managlyadharanam' (tying the sacred thread) is carried out before the 'Muhurtam' expires. The Hindu Almanac (panchangam) will generally specify the phases of the moon, times of eclipses, days and times for major festivals - all to enable planning of rituals. For every activity, there is a time.
Maintain a time calendar, schedule appointments and tasks. Nowadays, there are many electronic devices available for this purpose. One can use a PDA, a laptop computer, cell phone or an organizer. If you find it cumbersome to use an electronic aid, just keep a simple handwritten diary. Make sure it is updated everyday.
Avoid time-wasters and unproductive talks. There are people who talk and talk on matters that are of least concern to you. They are your time-stealers. Keep away from them.
We live in an era of time-saving devices- computers, pressure cookers, timers, cell phones and what not. Remember how cumbersome and time-consuming it was to correct a typo on manual typewriters. Today, it is history. As I type this on my computer, it is so easy for me to make corrections or rewrite! You can save a lot of time by selectively using some of the modern time-aid devices. One has to spend sometime to learn how to use such devices.
Respect thy Time! Invest in it. It will pay rich dividends and make you a better manager of yourself.
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