Dear Readers,
Time and tide waits for none. Time is quantitative and qualitative. Not only do we use it as a measure, but it also refers to several other aspects of human life.
We use time on a basic level to ascertain the value elapsed to do something or something IRREVERSIBLE that happens.
On a deeper note, we use it to distinguish between memories of our past, rationalise our present or calculate the future. This is why MANAGING TIME is important.
Ability to value time is often linked to maturity. When an individual learns to value time, it reflects a seriousness, productivity, ability to assign resources, utilise skill sets, etc. Many individuals don't perform efficiently because they procrastinate. Procrastination is nothing but not managing time.
Why Managing Time = Success?
If we utilise our time effectively TODAY we increase our chances of arriving at a favorable outcome in the future or rather CREATE OUR FUTURE.
An individual who manages time effectively and cautiously becomes successful. Because they execute tasks ahead of its requirement leaving scope to revisit it's crucial aspects, leading to PERFECTION. This also helps in avoiding disappointments which makes the individual SOUGHT AFTER and DEPENDABLE. These INDIVIDUALS are the ASSETS of any organisation.
There are five types of people who fail at managing time:
'The Last Minute Warriors' who keep telling themselves that they are busy, while doing nothing productive. As the deadline arrives, they slog to finish. They get conditioned to enjoy the RUSH of this behaviour. They realise too late that they haven't planned well and don't have the required resources. They lose out on productivity, BURN themselves down and do a sloppy job.
'The Superheroes' PERCEIVE that everything is easy. They're overconfident, complacent and postpone things. These traits help them MULTI TASK and as I've written in my earlier... Multitasking is like putting your feet in two different boats which are going in different directions.
'The Jumping Beans' are easily distracted and jump from task to task. They neither FOCUS nor complete one task.
'The Scientists' plan to integrate creative methods to execute their tasks and by the time they start, the others would have finished. They let lose their imagination and realise that they have to start the NORMAL, CONVENTIONAL way.
'The Lost Souls' need most help. They have no set goals, no idea what to do and no direction. Some of them might be lazy as they ensure they don't INITIATE anything!
#Coach'sTips
Stay GROUNDED and plan ahead, no matter how easy or tough the task is. Even the toughest tasks becomes easy with proper allocation of time and resources. This is where you need to learn to PRIORITISE! Understand what's important and FOCUS on tasks one by one! Cut out all your distractions. Ensure that you spend at least half an hour to plan your day and maintain a clear TO DO list.
One mistake that we tend to do is not plan for interruptions by assigning a BUFFER and not allotting time for breaks. These factors play a crucial role in increasing productivity and efficiency.
My Final Word
Time is FREE yet PRICELESS. It cannot be POSSESSED yet can be EXPENDED. If we ensure that we EFFECTIVELY UTILISE time to make a PRICELESS difference in the life of every one around us, we'll contribute to the greater good. I just did! Will you?
With Regards, Adarsh Basavaraj The Coach
My dad expired and I am having problems studying and with time management. What should I do? Please tell me. Lost in Grief
First of all, my deepest and heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May your father’s soul rest in peace. It’s perfectly okay to grieve and miss him. So allow yourself that, miss him and go over your memories with him.
My first advice to you would be to help you cope with your loss. So allow yourself to grieve and miss him. Don’t try to suppress or hold back those feelings. It’s okay if you cry, it’s a way of venting your feelings. Next, give yourself some time, but not forever. You’ll definitely have to get back to reality and lead your life as that’s very important.
Next, understand why you’re missing him and work towards it. If it is because of emotional needs, then rely on your relatives or whoever is close to you so that you talk to them and feel better. You definitely need moral support. You also need to understand that there are some days when you’ll miss him more, try not to be alone during days like that. These days might be occasions like your birthday, graduation, etc. Cherish the memories, and be happy that you had a chance to create those special memories with your father while he was there with you.
Finally coming to reality, no matter how bad you feel, it’s not going to bring him back. So rather than sitting and brooding about it, I would request you to do what it takes to make him proud and happy wherever he is. Your father will be extremely proud and will be more peaceful when you study hard and achieve, thereby making all his efforts of bringing you up worthwhile. You’ll manage your time automatically when you stop grieving.
Bro tip: Please look after your health, as you need to be healthy and strong. Why? Because you’re the strongest pillar of support for your mother to rely on. Be her strength, not her weakness as she needs support too.
I’m sure you’ll pull through and do great buddy.
Sir, I am passionate about travelling and want to work for National Geographic. I have completed my Mechanical Engineering and work in sales. I'm at a position in life where I can't leave my job. I don’t get opportunities to pursue my passion and I am not satisfied with my work. What do I do? Wild Dreamer
I completely understand what you’re going through. It’s frustrating when you want to do something that you love but aren’t able to.
But let’s be practical, you need to have a steady source of income to pay your bills too. There’s a lot of factors that are required to join any channel.
So you first need to figure out what you want to join as or rather what is it exactly that you’re passionate about. You cannot just be a traveller. You need to be clear and focus on what you want to be. Whether you’re interested in wildlife photography, exploring places or interested in geography. There are specific requirements for each. If you want to write for them, that's a different scenario as they only accept people with experience in journalism and media. I’m trying to make you understand two things here. One, you need to have more clarity. Two, you need to figure out a plan to balance your current job and pursue a career that you’re passionate about until your passion pays you more than your current profession. It looks very easy when you watch 3 idiots, but reality bites buddy.
My advice would be that first figure out what you want to be — photographer, explorer, writer, etc., then take up courses in that relevant field. You can start pursuing your passion on weekends and submit your work to similar magazines or channels. Once you get a break, work for some time. Gain experience and then shift to National Geographic once you tick all the boxes that they’re looking for.
I am pursuing Mechanical Engineering. I am confused about my career as I like Automobile Engineering and transmission in MTech and Civil Service. My parents say if I do two things at a time, I will not succeed. At Crossroads
Your parents are right especially since your choices are engineering and civil services, it’s like saying, "I’ll run a marathon and swim at the same time."
It’s two different things altogether. Preparing for the Civil Services exams isn’t a joke. It takes serious dedication and lots of effort. You’ll have to practically disconnect from everything and everyone. Absolutely no distractions. You’ll have to put in a minimum of 12 hours of concentration for preparation. In spite of all this, majority of the aspirants don’t even clear the prelims. I’m not trying to discourage you, but trying to make you aware of the hard reality.
My advice: first focus on engineering, clear it with good marks. Then you can try for the Civil Services. Even if you don’t make it, you will at least have a backup plan.
A labourer with his hard-earned money is happy. So is a person in a blue-chip company, earning well. Then, what is satisfaction? If I get satisfied with what I have, how can I fight for the next level? How Much is Enough?
I completely understand your query. In fact, I am happy that there are people such as yourself who introspect to such deep levels.
The first aspect we need to understand is that SATISFACTION is subjective, every individual perceives it differently. It may have different dimensions that are important to an individual based on their level of exposure, experiences and learnings. It may be materialistic, financial, emotional, intellectual or spiritual.
The next aspect is that every individual has his set of issues. No human is completely satisfied, that's what makes us human. So what you perceive as peaceful might not actually be so. The grass on the other side always looks greener, remember?
Finally, satisfaction is also a result of how strong your motivation is. If you're easily satisfied, your motivation to achieve more might be absent. But if you're not at all satisfied, then it shows that you have a DRIVE TO ACHIEVE BIGGER AND BETTER things. Also, let me make myself very clear, I'm not referring to being dissatisfied without putting in efforts, that's just plain LAZINESS!
Finally, to answer your query in one line...
You've written "If I get satisfied with what I have..." ensure that you write to me when you can confidently say that You're COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH WHAT YOU HAVE... We'll talk then.