MBA Candidate at Rushmore University
Course: 1114 Lakien on Time Management
Student: Shyamala Sathiaseelan
e-mail: shyamala.sathiaseelan@eds.com
URL: http://www.oocities.org/shyamis/
Credits: 4
Lifetime Goals Assignment
- Read the book from the beginning though the end of chapter 6.
- Follow the instructions in chapters 5-6.
To Do List Entries
- Enter on your To Do list your A-1 from the assignment, and as many other action steps as you want.
Submit Your Work
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1. What are my lifetime goals?
Travel the world
Climb Mount Everest
Finish MBA
Do PhD
Reach a Senior Management Position at work
Learn the art of Time Management
Master Carnatic Music
Take up drawing classes
Be fit enough to compete in the Marathon
Spend more time volunteering
2. How would I like to spend the next five years?
Travel the world
Climb Mount Everest
Finish MBA
Do PhD
Reach a Senior Management Position at work
Learn the art of Time Management
Master Carnatic Music
Take up drawing classes
Do a course on child psychology
Do a course on the art of writing
Do every single run possible in Dublin
Do the Marathon every year in the next four years.
Make a wonderful kitchen garden
Save enough money to extend the house
Spend more time volunteering
3. If I knew I would be struck dead by lightning in six months from today, how would I live until then?
Climb Mount Everest
Travel the world
Spend more time volunteering
Spend more time with the family
Complete MBA
My Three important long term goals are:
A-1 Learn the art of time management
A-2 Complete MBA
A-3 Travel the world
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Goal Management Report
A-1
Learn the art of Time Management
Progress
- Have made a list of goals
- Started on the 18th of June with a to-do list for the day
- At the end of each day I review the list and mark the ones finished and carryover the unfinished ones for the next day.
Plans
- Do A-1 list everyday
- At the end of each day review the list
- Plan each Friday for the week ahead
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A-2
Complete MBA
Progress
- Finished 10 credits
- Working on 9 more credits at the moment
Plans
- Take one manageable step at a time
- Set a deadline for papers and try to finish the papers before time
- Ask friends and family for help if required in collecting materials, reviewing work, etc.
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A-3
Travel the world
Progress
- Have traveled to 20 countries so far
Plans
- Travel to at least one new country each year
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Goal/Action Report
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Goal: Learn the art of time management
A-1 Make a A-1 list every day, if possible twice a day.
A-1 Decide where to cut back so as to free time for course.
A-1 Have a pen and paper ready all the time to note down things as they come to mind.
A-1 Find more C's to turn into Z's.
Keep asking "What can I not do?"
Spend lesser time surfing the internet browsing for unwanted things. - Set a time limit. Only 10 hours of browsing per week unless it is work related.
Learn to say no to parties if it is not utterly necessary to go.
Finish as many actions as possible from the A-1 list
Schedule specific times during the day and week to work on the course. - 13:00 - 14:00 from Monday to Friday.
Specify the benefit of taking the course in the short- and long-term.
Do things in an efficient way - should surely save time.
Do rough weekly plans on Friday evening
Watch less television (I only watch sports, even that has to be cut down)
Mentally sort out the plans for the next 24 hours during everyday walk. Put them down on paper as soon as I reach my desk.
At the end of each day cross out all the actions that have been completed and those not important to carry over to tomorrow.
See if I can find any more interesting stuff on Time management in the library / internet
Ask people around me as to how they manage their time - learn something from that
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Goal: Complete MBA
A-1 Spend at least two hours a day - 1 hour in the morning, reading and 1 hour in the evening writing/typing out the paper.
A-1 Set deadlines and try to finish each course before the deadline date.
Once a week spend time with other friends who are currently doing/have done MBA to get more information on the paper that I am currently working on.
Become a member of Management based mailing lists to get some useful information.
At the end of each week review what work has been done.
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Goal: Travel the world
A-1 At the beginning of each year select a country to travel.
A-1 Plan the holidays based on the best time of the year to go to the country of choice.
Get more information from internet/library/friends on the place
Provisionally book tickets with the travel agent so as to get a good deal.
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Priority list
A-1 Make a A-1 list every day, if possible twice a day. - Morning 6:30 - Fresh list, Evening 10:30 - delete entries of the list that has been done
A-2 Have a pen and paper ready all the time to note down things as they come to mind. - Carry a little notebook and pen
A-3 Find more C's to turn into Z's.
A-4 Spend at least two hours a day - 1 hour in the morning, reading and 1 hour in the evening writing/typing out the paper.
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My comments on Email 1:
I made out a list earlier taking into account my day to day activities, not planning for my lifetime or five years or six months and for some reason most of that doesn't seem to fit into the list. Also my A-1 list seems to be changing from morning to evening based on what work I have for the day.
For the past few days I have made my A-1 list and I find that I don't have any nasty surprises at the end of the day because I have the day planned as far as possible and nearly every single activity for the day has been noted down. Also at the end of the day I have the satisfaction of finishing a lot of work as I can see the list of things that I have done for the day. Another advantage of noting down everything with dates is that I have a record of what I did on which day.
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2. Techniques From The Book, Except The Appendix
Techniques By Chapter
- Starting again at the beginning, read everything except the Appendix.
- As you read, highlight useful techniques with a check-mark or marking pen.
- When you finish a chapter, enter three or more of the best techniques in a word processor document.
- Express the techniques in your own words if you wish.
- Combine two or more techniques as appropriate.
- When you finish chapter 23, do not do the Appendix.
Insert an "horizon line."
- Read the description of horizon line.
- Insert an horizon line in your work, as here, whenever you see "(H)."
Techniques By Priority
- Make a copy of the above list.
- Re-sequence the techniques by priority.
- Mark your A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4. (H)
Implementation Plans
- Copy the A-1 from the above list.
- Write a couple of paragraphs about your plans for using it in your life and your work.
- Repeat for A234. (H)
Submit Your Work
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Techniques by Chapter
1. Do not attempt to take the thinking and fun out of an activity.
2. Think more about how I really want to use my time, work less hard, do more of the things that I've always wanted to do and enjoy life a lot more.
3. Be effective - Select the best task to do from all the possibilities available and then do it in the best possible way.
4. Be flexible and spontaneous
5. Do not be too compulsive, restrained and obsessive or apathetic, indifferent & lazy.
6. Work smarter not harder
7. Sometimes I've got to what others want me to do, but not always.
8. There are constraints on everyone that makes free choice impossible in all situations. But I am free to choose much of the time.
9. I want to be sure that I am making time choices that are right for my current rather than my past situation. - Just because I am used to doing cooking everyday when I was alone, I should not insist on cooking for everybody every single day when sharing house with friends.
10. Resolve conflicts between long term and short term goals.
11. Make a conscious effort to do things, instead of wishing things to happen, decide and then implement the decision.
12. Control the time by planning. Planning is bringing the future into the present so that I can do something about it now.
13. Put time and effort into refining the plan.
14. In all planning, long-range, middle-range or short-range, make a list and set priorities. All the items on a list are not of equal value. Whenever a list is made, finish the list by setting priorities.
15. Use the ABC Priority System: Write a capital letter "A" to the left of those items on the list that have a high value; a "B" for those with medium value; and a "C" for those with low value.
16. It is not worthwhile to make a big effort for a task of little value. On the other hand, a project with high value can be worth a great deal of effort. Only good planning will let me reap maximum benefits from minimum time investments.
17. I will do my life time goals list and revisit it and work on it on a regular basis - say once in two months.
18. I understand that goals and priorities can change on a regular basis.
19. It is helpful to refine my goal statements several times.
20. To determine the right activities for achieving my A-goals I must list the possible activities for each A-goal and set priorities to allow me to select the most effective activity to do now.
21. Long-term planning and goal-setting must be complemented by short-term planning.
22. Eliminate low priority tasks: For each activity on the list I ask myself: Am I committed to spending a minimum of five minutes (or less if it can be completely finished in less time) on this activity in the next seven days? If the answer is "no", I eliminate the activity from the list.
23. Select at least one A-activity to work on right away and do it.
24. Start each day by making a list of "What I have to do today?".
25. To increase the likelihood of accomplishing important lifetime goals, I've got to plan my time each and every day.
26. No matter how busy I am, I should always take the time to plan.
27. Spend time to plan every morning and evening - Set a time like 6:00 in the morning and 10:30 in the night.
28. On a Friday afternoon review the week's work done and plan roughly for the next week.
29. When laying out the weekly schedule, block out time for A's that require a lot of time.
30. Try and do the same thing at the same time each day to conserve and generate energy.
31. Try to save internal prime time for prime projects.
32. Always reserve at least an hour a day of uncommitted time.
33. I should try to work more effectively within the time allotted for each project.
34. I should try and find time to do nothing - just relax.
35. I will plan well in advance so as to find opportunities for furthering some of my most important goals.
36. I will make the best possible use of transition time - Like practicing singing while cooking.
37. I will make use of my traveling time - Reading while on the train.
38. I will take a shorter lunch break and use it to finish my course.
39. I will make use of my waiting time - Like reading while waiting for the train, sending out mails while waiting for batch jobs to finish, etc
40. If I have finished all my official work, I will start working on personal things like clearing my mailbox, reading a book, finishing up an assignment, etc.
41. I will put up signs on my desk with my goals.
42. I will make a To Do List every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as I go
through the day.
43. I will do all the A's before I go down to B's and C's.
44. The time to do anything on the A list is now.
45. I will follow the 80/20 rule.
46. I will constantly ask myself "What can I not do?"
47. I will ask myself "How terrible would it be if I didn't do this C?". If my answer is "Not too terrible" then I will not do it.
48. Organize everything so that everything goes to the right place the first time. This will avoid time wasted on searching for things.
49. I will try to handle each piece of paper only once.
50. I will be selective about what I read - waste less time reading information that I do not need.
51. Learn to say "no" at the right time - avoid going to parties just because I was invited and couldn't say no.
52. I will make an effort to be considerate of other people and their time.
53. Fix a quiet time and stick to it. Like every morning I can set 9:00 to 10:00 to go through the day's work and sort out everything before meeting people and start working with them.
54. Set meetings at a certain time - Interpretation time - every Wednesday 11:30 - 12:30, Weekly team meetings Friday 15:00-16:00, meeting with the client every second Wednesday 7:30 - 8:30
55. Say no to people who stop by for a chat.
56. Constantly ask myself "What is the best use of my time right now?".
57. Always remember, perfectionism is worth approaching when 80 percent of the value comes from the last 20 percent of the effort.
58. To avoid procrastination I will make a list of possible instant tasks and set priorities.
59. I will do detailed planning on everything in my A list.
60. Find out more information about A-1 from other resources like people, books, internet, etc.
61. Remove all distractions from my work area. - Like games from my pc desktop,
62. Keep things associated with A-1 in the work area.
63. Find some piece of A-1 that I am in the mood to do.
64. Give myself a pep talk to get me started on my A-1.
65. I will set a deadline and try to meet it as far as possible.
66. When I am bored or restless, instead of suppressing my boredom I will do something different, maybe check my A-1 list and do something on the list that will provide a change. 67. I will deal with unpleasantness directly.
67. I will recognize the greater unpleasantness that results from delay.
68. I will create enthusiasm that counterbalances the unpleasantness.
69. I will take enough time to consider the situation carefully before deciding something.
70. When I feel like delaying something, I will ask myself if it is worth paying the price of the delay, if the answer is no then I get to doing it straight away.
71. I will list all the benefits of doing my A-1 - pluses that would start when the A-1 will be done and minuses that would stop when the A-1 will be done.
72. I will try to cut of all my "Escape routes".
73. I will try to recognize and admit to myself when I am wasting time.
74. I will try to maintain a positive attitude.
75. I will try to overcome fears - real or imagined.
76. I will resist doing a very easy but unimportant task that is right in front of me.
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Techniques by Priority
A-1 Start each day by making a list of "What I have to do today?"
A-2 Use the ABC Priority System: Write a capital letter "A" to the left of those items on the list that have a high value; a "B" for those with medium value; and a "C" for those with low value.
A-3 I will ask myself "How terrible would it be if I didn't do this C?". If my answer is "Not too terrible" then I will not do it.
A-4 Constantly ask myself "What is the best use of my time right now?"
1. I will constantly ask myself "What can I not do?"
2. I will list all the benefits of doing my A-1 - pluses that would start when the A-1 will be done and minuses that would stop when the A-1 will be done.
3. I will make a To Do List every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as I go through the day.
4. To determine the right activities for achieving my A-goals I must list the possible activities for each A-goal and set priorities to allow me to select the most effective activity to do now.
5. Be effective - Select the best task to do from all the possibilities available and then do it in the best possible way.
6. I will do my life time goals list and revisit it and work on it on a regular basis - say once in two months.
7. Make a conscious effort to do things, instead of wishing things to happen, decide and then implement the decision.
8. I want to be sure that I am making time choices that are right for my current rather than my past situation. - Just because I am used to doing cooking everyday when I was alone, I should not insist on cooking for everybody every single day when sharing house with friends.
9. I will put up signs on my desk with my goals.
10. Select at least one A-activity to work on right away and do it.
11. Keep things associated with A-1 in the work area.
12. Remove all distractions from my work area. - Like games from my pc desktop.
13. I will take a shorter lunch break and use it to finish my course.
14. I will make use of my waiting time - Like reading while waiting for the train, sending out mails while waiting for batch jobs to finish, etc
15. If I have finished all my official work, I will start working on personal things like clearing my mailbox, reading a book, finishing up an assignment, etc.
16. Be flexible and spontaneous
17. Work smarter not harder
18. Do not attempt to take the thinking and fun out of an activity
19. Do not be too compulsive, restrained and obsessive or apathetic, indifferent & lazy
20. Control the time by planning. Planning is bringing the future into the present so that I can do something about it now.
21. Put time and effort into refining the plan
22. I will do detailed planning on everything in my A list.
23. In all planning, long-range, middle-range or short-range, make a list and set priorities. All the items on a list are not of equal value. Whenever a list is made, finish the list by setting priorities.
24. No matter how busy I am, I should always take the time to plan.
25. Spend time to plan every morning and evening - Set a time like 6:00 in the morning and 10:30 in the night.
26. On a Friday afternoon review the week's work done and plan roughly for the next week.
27. I will do all the A's before I go down to B's and C's.
28. The time to do anything on the A list is now.
29. I should try to work more effectively within the time allotted for each project.
30. I will resist doing a very easy but unimportant task that is right in front of me.
31. I will try to cut of all my "Escape routes".
32. I will try to recognize and admit to myself when I am wasting time.
33. I will try to maintain a positive attitude.
34. I will try to overcome fears - real or imagined.
35. It is not worthwhile to make a big effort for a task of little value. On the other hand, a project with high value can be worth a great deal of effort. Only good planning will let me reap maximum benefits from minimum time investments.
36. Eliminate low priority tasks: For each activity on the list I ask myself: Am I committed to spending a minimum of five minutes (or less if it can be completely finished in less time) on this activity in the next seven days? If the answer is "no", I eliminate the activity from the list.
37. Think more about how I really want to use my time, work less hard, do more of the things that I've always wanted to do and enjoy life a lot more.
38. Sometimes I've got to what others want me to do, but not always.
39. There are constraints on everyone that makes free choice impossible in all situations. But I am free to choose much of the time.
40. I should try and find time to do nothing - just relax.
41. To increase the likelihood of accomplishing important lifetime goals, I've got to plan my time each and every day.
42. I will plan well in advance so as to find opportunities for furthering some of my most important goals.
43. When laying out the weekly schedule, block out time for A's that require a lot of time.
44. Try and do the same thing at the same time each day to conserve and generate energy.
45. Try to save internal prime time for prime projects.
46. Always reserve at least an hour a day of uncommitted time.
47. Resolve conflicts between long term and short term goals.
48. I understand that goals and priorities can change on a regular basis.
49. It is helpful to refine my goal statements several times.
50. Long-term planning and goal-setting must be complemented by short-term planning.
51. I will make the best possible use of transition time - Like practicing singing while cooking.
52. I will make use of my traveling time - Reading while on the train.
53. I will follow the 80/20 rule.
54. Always remember, perfectionism is worth approaching when 80 percent of the value comes from the last 20 percent of the effort.
55. Organize everything so that everything goes to the right place the first time. This will avoid time wasted on searching for things.
56. I will try to handle each piece of paper only once.
57. I will be selective about what I read - waste less time reading information that I do not need.
58. Learn to say "no" at the right time - avoid going to parties just because I was invited and couldn't say no.
59. Say no to people who stop by for a chat.
60. I will make an effort to be considerate of other people and their time.
61. Fix a quiet time and stick to it. Like every morning I can set 9:00 to 10:00 to go through the day's work and sort out everything before meeting people and start working with them.
62. Set meetings at a certain time - Interpretation time - every Wednesday 11:30 - 12:30, Weekly team meetings Friday 15:00-16:00, meeting with the client every second Wednesday 7:30 - 8:30
63. To avoid procrastination I will make a list of possible instant tasks and set priorities.
64. When I feel like delaying something, I will ask myself if it is worth paying the price of the delay, if the answer is no then I get to doing it straight away
65. Find out more information about A-1 from other resources like people, books, internet, etc.
66. Find some piece of A-1 that I am in the mood to do.
67. Give myself a pep talk to get me started on my A-1.
68. I will set a deadline and try to meet it as far as possible.
69. When I am bored or restless, instead of suppressing my boredom I will do something different, maybe check my A-1 list and do something on the list that will provide a change.
70. I will deal with unpleasantness directly.
71. I will recognize the greater unpleasantness that results from delay.
72. I will create enthusiasm that counterbalances the unpleasantness.
73. I will take enough time to consider the situation carefully before deciding something.
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Implementation Plans
A-1 Start each day by making a list of "What I have to do today?"
I like most other people have heard of a To Do list and have made it a few times, specially when I have loads of things to do and I don’t want to forget something. But on a normal day I would not have thought about making a To Do list. After reading the book I realize how important it is to make a list. It is not just making a list but also prioritizing everything that has to be done.
It is a nice way to start each day by making a list of things to be done. This it self is half the work done. After I started the course I started making a list and marking my A-1. Because of this not only do I not forget anything but also I am mentally prepared to handle everything marked on my list. Also this makes me getting everything together in advance and be organized. On the whole I not only get things done at the end of the day but I also save time by being prepared and organized.
I make a list now with a list of things to do and also set a time deadline for my A items. Like
Send Batch report – 5:30pm
Spend time on Time Management course 12:30 – 1:30pm
Replies to mails – 5:00pm
A-2 Use the ABC Priority System: Write a capital letter "A" to the left of those items on the list that have a high value; a "B" for those with medium value; and a "C" for those with low value.
Another interesting concept! Earlier on if someone asked me to make a list of things to do for the day I would have made a list of everything in a sequence that I remembered. I would have got things done in the same order or maybe got easier things done first, whether that had any value or not did not matter.
Now when I make a list I look at it quite differently. I realize that there are quite a few things on the list which are easy to do but have no real value. I understand now that doing ten things on the list just to make me feel that I have done more is not right. It is better to do one activity on the list which is more important than do ten things which are of no value.
This can be achieved only by using the ABC priority system. A’s should get done now, B’s can be done next and C’s can be forgotten.
When I make my list every morning I first make a list of everything I can remember, then go through the list and chose the most important task for the day and start with that activity. Once my list is finished I mark the most important task A-1 and then go down the list again and based on priorities mark them as B’s or C’s.
A-3 Constantly ask myself "What is the best use of my time right now?"
Again, something which I was not used to earlier. I realize I used to surf the net or talk to people who drop by my desk or have a long conversation on the phone just because I thought it was the best way to spend my time – while I had loads of important work to be done all the time.
Now when I do something like that, a little question pops up in my mind “Am I using the time in the best possible way? Am I supposed to be talking on the phone/Surfing the net, etc?” This automatically brings me back to reality and I tend to stop what I am doing and get back to doing my next A activity on my A-1 list.
I was easier to complete my fitness and exercise course after starting this course. I realize that once I can keep asking this question to myself all the time, I tend to make better use of my time.
In fact in the past week it has gone to a stage where if I do something that I am not supposed to be doing like watching television when I could actually spend time on something more important I feel a wee bit guilty and tend to get up and go and do the activity.
A-4 I will ask myself "How terrible would it be if I didn't do this C?". If my answer is "Not too terrible" then I will not do it.
This technique is an extension of the above three techniques. I can even use this technique to determine where an activity should be on the list – under A’s, B’s or C’s. I can replace “C” in the above statement with “activity” and use it as a technique to find my C’s.
I also understand that sometimes my C on an earlier list can become my A on today’s list. While there are some C’s that can be avoided totally, some C’s can be delayed but they might become B’s or even A’s as time goes by. The basic rule is to recognize the priority and put them in the right category.
Sometimes I am tempted to do a C activity because it is easier to do it or I am bored of doing an A activity for a long time without a break. It has taken a bit of time to get over it but I am slowly but steadily working on avoiding a C activity if it can be avoided.
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Comments on Email 2
This exercise could be done only by reading the entire book carefully. When I list out all the techniques by chapter and then by priority the second time, every point in the book became clearer. Also when I write down something I realize the importance of it compared to just thinking or reading about something. I understand now the value of making a proper list using pen and paper rather than just making a list in my mind and working off it.
Now not only do I know the basic ideas but I also implement them. When I had to pick the top four techniques and write on how I was going to implement them I realized that I am already trying hard to implement some of the techniques that I read in the book.
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3. Implementing Timesaving Techniques
Goal Progress Review And Plans For The Week
- Use the Report 2 format on page R3.
- Show A-1 as "Implement Timesaving Techniques."
- Fill in Progress Review and Plans for the week.
Submit Your Work
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Goal Progress Review And Plans For The Week
A-1
Implement Time saving techniques
Progress Review
- Have made a list of goals
- Started on the 18th of June with a to-do list for the day
- At the end of each day I review the list and mark the ones finished and carryover the unfinished ones for the next day
- I have completed reading the book "How to get control of your time and your life" by Alan Lakien
- I ask myself "What is the best use of my time right now?".
- I am trying each day to apply techniques mentioned in the book
- I am trying to do my assignments on the course on a regular basis (I have submitted three versions of the Goal management package, Time saving techniques by chapter and the exercise mentioned at the end of chapter 5-6.)
- Have a pen and paper ready all the time to note down things as they come to mind.
- Make out signs with A-1 goal and leave them in visible areas in the work place and home.
- I finish as many actions as possible from the A-1 list
- At the end of each day I cross out all the actions that have been completed and those not important I carry over to the next day.
- I have marked all important activities for the month in the scheduler on my pc with reminders set to an hour or a day based on the activity.
- I have made out the birthday cards and anniversary cards for all the birthdays & anniversaries on the 1st of this month and have set out reminders to post them a few days before the actual day. This saves time and also takes care that I do not forget any birthdays and anniversaries.
Plans
- Make a habit of doing the A-1 list every day, if possible twice a day.
- Try and do the same thing at the same time every day.
- Plan ahead for the next month
- Find more C's to turn into Z's.
- Plan everything to the finest detail possible.
- Keep asking "What can I not do?"
- Spend lesser time surfing the internet browsing for unwanted things. - Set a time limit. Only 10 hours of browsing per week unless it is work related.
- Learn to say no to parties if it is not utterly necessary to go – Reduce social outings to a maximum of three per week.
- Schedule specific times during the day and week to work on the course. - 13:00 - 14:00 from Monday to Friday.
- List the benefit of taking the course in the short- and long-term.
- Do rough weekly plans on Friday evening
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A-2
Complete MBA
Progress Review
- Finished 10 credits
- Working on 9 more credits at the moment
- Have nearly finished working on the paper 1111 Website development.
- Am currently working on Time Management as well
Plans
- Take one manageable step at a time
- Set a deadline for papers and try to finish the papers before time
- Ask friends and family for help if required in collecting materials, reviewing work, etc.
- Plan ahead for the next three papers at any point of time, collect materials in advance so that time between working on papers is not wasted.
- Set a time - 5:00 - 6:00pm five days a week to work on the course.
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A-3
Work towards becoming an Information Specialist at work by the end of the year
Progress Review
- Have downloaded the Excel sheet from intranet which contains the matrix required to be filled for applying for the job
- Have asked the manager to fix a meeting to talk about this
- Have listed out all the training required
Plans
- Do at least one required training per week
- Ask other Information specialists around at work as to what they did to get the promotion
- Allocate an hour each week to check the status on where I stand as opposed to where I should be.
- Take initiative to meet people and help them out in small projects like CMM Audits.
- Become a member of at least one technical group in the next two months
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A-5
Finish decorating the house in two months time.
Progress Review
- Marked areas that I can work on today
- Reduced watching television
- Reduced sleeping time on weekends
- Have done out half of my rock garden and vegetable patch
- I make a list of all the things that have to be moved from one area to the other so instead of walking a hundred times moving things, I am more efficient now and move things that have to go into one area together reducing time and effort.
- The house is nearly furnished with basic furniture. The remaining furniture can wait!
- Have got my garden shed now.
Plans
- Do a list everyday of work that can be done on that day
- Clearly mark areas for each day and handle one area at a time
- Choose one area at a time and work on it
- Ask friends for tips
- Get a book from the library on decorating.
- Depending on the weather chose to work indoors or outdoors
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A-6
Learn Golf in six weeks
Progress Review
- Attended the first golf lesson on 16th July
- Have attended three more lessons and have now learnt about the swing, position grip, pitching and chip shot.
- Have rented out a book from the library on golf.
- Have bought the 3, 6 & 8 iron and the putter.
Plans
- Attend the next two classes without fail
- Watch the video rented out from the library on golf
- Practice mentally and try to remember points the instructor mentioned in his previous class
- Ask friends who play golf for tips
- Go for a session of golf - even if only nine holes - before the six weeks finishes
- Continue to play golf even after six weeks
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A-7
Learn Carnatic music and have a stage performance by end of next year.
Progress Review
- Have crossed stage 1 and moved on to stage 2
- I practice - I play the cassette and sing along every evening while cooking.
- Have contacted the rest of the students to decide a date on starting the classes after summer holidays.
- Have made a small scrap book on Carnatic music
Plans
- Take every opportunity to sing out loud and clear
- Try to listen to at least two new songs each day and see if I can find out what "Raaga"/"Taala" it is based on
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A-8
Travel the world
Progress
- Have traveled to 20 countries so far
- Have short listed two new countries for this year – Italy & Scotland!
- I constantly keep checking for cheap deals so that I can book my flights to Scotland.
Plans
- Travel to at least one new country each year
- At the beginning of each year select a country to travel.
- Plan the holidays based on the best time of the year to go to the country of choice.
- Get more information from internet/library/friends on the place
- Provisionally book tickets with the travel agent so as to get a good deal.
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4. Techniques From The Book Appendix
Techniques From Appendix
- Enter in a word processor document all 61 techniques, editing them as you go. (H)
Techniques By Categories
- Sort all entries by category (priorities, meetings, delegating, emails, etc.)
- Add more categories where techniques would be helpful even if you don't have any techniques yet.
- Re-sequence the categories in a logical sequence.
Fill In More Techniques
- Find 8 more techniques for your A-1 category, 5 for your A-2, and 3 for your A-3.
- All categories, should have at least three items. (H)
Categories By Priority
- Contains just the category names, sequenced in priority order. (H)
Submit Your Work
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Techniques From Appendix
1. I count all my time as "On-Time" and try to get satisfaction (not necessarily accomplishment) out of every minute.
2. I try to enjoy whatever I am doing.
3. I'm a perennial optimist.
4. I build on successes.
5. I don't waste time regretting my failures.
6. I don't waste my time feeling guilty about what I don't do.
7. I remind myself: "There is always enough time for the important things." If it's important I'll make the time to do it.
8. I try to find a new technique each day that I can use to help gain time.
9. I get up at 5 a.m. during the week (and go to bed early).
10. I have a light lunch so I don't get sleepy in the afternoon.
11. I don't read newspapers or magazines (except occasionally). I do glance at the headlines at the newsstands to keep up on the world.
12. I skim books quickly looking for ideas.
13. I don't own a television set. (My family and I went to a motel to watch the moon walks and we rented a set for the political conventions.)
14. I have my office close enough to my home to be able to walk to work. But when I'm lazy or in a hurry I drive.
15. I examine old habits for possible elimination or streamlining.
16. I've given up forever all "waiting time." If I have to wait I consider it a "gift of time" to relax, plan or do something I would not otherwise have done.
17. I keep my watch 3 minutes fast, to get a head start on the day.
18. I carry blank 3X5 index cards in my pocket to jot down notes and ideas.
19. I revise my lifetime goals list once a month.
20. I review my lifetime goals list every day and identify activities to do each day to further my goals.
21. I put signs in my office reminding me of my goals
22. I keep my long-term goals in mind even while doing the smallest task.
23. I always plan first thing in the morning and set priorities for the day.
24. I keep a list of specific items to be done each day, arrange them in priority order, and then do my best to get the important ones done as soon as possible.
25. I schedule my time months in advance in such a way that each month offers variety and balance as well as "open time" reserved for "hot" projects.
26. I give myself time off and special rewards when I've done the important things.
27. I do first things first.
28. I work smarter rather than harder.
29. I try to do only A's, never B's and C's.
30. I have confidence in my judgment of priorities and stick to them in spite of difficulties.
31. I ask myself, "Would anything terrible happen if I didn't do this priority item?" If the answer is no, I don't do it.
32. If I seem to procrastinate I ask myself: "What am I avoiding?" - and then I try to confront that thing head-on.
33. I always use the 80/20 rule.
34. I start with the most profitable parts of large projects and often find it is not necessary to do the rest.
35. I cut off nonproductive work as quickly as possible.
36. I give myself enough time to concentrate on high priority items. 37. I have developed the ability to concentrate well for long stretches of time (sometimes with the aid of coffee)
38. I concentrate on one thing at a time.
39. I focus my efforts on items that will have the best long-term benefits.
40. I keep pushing and am persistent when I sense I have a winner.
41. I have trained myself to go down my To Do List without skipping over the difficult items.
42. I do much of my thinking on paper.
43. I work alone creatively in the morning and use the afternoons for meetings, if necessary.
44. I set deadlines for myself and others.
45. I try to listen actively in every discussion.
46. I try not to waste other people's time (unless it's something that really matters to me).
47. I delegate everything I possibly can to others.
48. I make use of specialists to help me with special problems.
49. I have someone screen my mail and phone calls and handle all routine matters.
50. I generate as little paperwork as possible and throw away anything that I possibly can.
51. I handle each piece of paper only once.
52. I write replies to most letters right on the piece of paper.
53. I keep my desk top cleared for action, and put the most important thing in the center of my desk.
54. I have a place for everything (so I waste as little time as possible looking for things).
55. I save up all trivia for a three-hour session once a month.
56. I try not to think of work on weekends.
57. I relax and "do nothing" rather frequently
58. I recognize that inevitably some of my time will be spent on activities outside my control and don't fret about it.
59. I keep small talk to a minimum during work hours.
60. I look for action steps to be taken now to further my goals.
61. I'm continually asking myself: "What is the best use of my time right now?".
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Techniques By Categories
Planning
I always plan first thing in the morning and set priorities for the day
I schedule my time months in advance in such a way that each month offers variety and balance as well as "open time" reserved for "hot" projects.
I keep a list of specific items to be done each day, arrange them in priority order, and then do my best to get the important ones done as soon as possible.
New techniques
Control time by planning.
Put time and effort into refining the plan.
In all planning, long-range, middle-range or short-range, make a list and set priorities. All the items on a list are not of equal value. Whenever a list is made, finish the list by setting priorities.
Long-term planning and goal-setting must be complemented by short-term planning.
On a Friday afternoon review the week's work done and plan roughly for the next week
I will do detailed planning on everything in my A list.
Be flexible and spontaneous
Only good planning will let me reap maximum benefits from minimum time investments.
No matter how busy I am, I should always take the time to plan.
Being Organized
I keep my desk top cleared for action, and put the most important thing in the center of my desk.
I have a place for everything (so I waste as little time as possible looking for things).
I carry blank 3X5 index cards in my pocket to jot down notes and ideas.
New Techniques
Try and do the same thing at the same time each day to conserve and generate energy.
I will make a To Do List every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as I go through the day.
I will try to handle each piece of paper only once
Fix a quiet time and stick to it. Like every morning I can set 9:00 to 10:00 to go through the day's work and sort out everything before meeting people and start working with them
Set meetings at a certain time - Interpretation time - every Wednesday 11:30 - 12:30, Weekly team meetings Friday 15:00-16:00, meeting with the client every second Wednesday 7:30 - 8:30
I will set a deadline and try to meet it as far as possible
Handling fears
If I seem to procrastinate I ask myself: "What am I avoiding?" - and then I try to confront that thing head-on.
I have trained myself to go down my To Do List without skipping over the difficult items.
I relax and "do nothing" rather frequently
New Techniques
I will deal with unpleasantness directly.
I will recognize the greater unpleasantness that results from delay.
I will create enthusiasm that counterbalances the unpleasantness.
Give myself a pep talk to get me started on my A-1.
Working on goals
I keep my long-term goals in mind even while doing the smallest task.
I revise my lifetime goals list once a month.
I review my lifetime goals list every day and identify activities to do each day to further my goals.
I put signs in my office reminding me of my goals
I look for action steps to be taken now to further my goals.
Priorities
I ask myself, "Would anything terrible happen if I didn't do this priority item?" If the answer is no, I don't do it.
I try to do only A's, never B's and C's.
I focus my efforts on items that will have the best long-term benefits.
Positive thinking
I try to enjoy whatever I am doing.
I'm a perennial optimist.
I remind myself: "There is always enough time for the important things." If it's important I'll make the time to do it.
I don't waste my time feeling guilty about what I don't do.
I build on successes.
I don't waste time regretting my failures.
I've given up forever all "waiting time." If I have to wait I consider it a "gift of time" to relax, plan or do something I would not otherwise have done.
I have confidence in my judgment of priorities and stick to them in spite of difficulties.
I keep pushing and am persistent when I sense I have a winner.
Concentration
I give myself enough time to concentrate on high priority items.
I have developed the ability to concentrate well for long stretches of time (sometimes with the aid of coffee)
I concentrate on one thing at a time.
Efficiency
I work smarter rather than harder.
I do first things first.
I always use the 80/20 rule.
I start with the most profitable parts of large projects and often find it is not necessary to do the rest.
I cut off nonproductive work as quickly as possible
Making best use of time
I set deadlines for myself and others.
I'm continually asking myself: "What is the best use of my time right now?".
I keep my watch 3 minutes fast, to get a head start on the day.
I try not to waste other people's time (unless it's something that really matters to me).
I recognize that inevitably some of my time will be spent on activities outside my control and don't fret about it.
Reducing paper work
I generate as little paperwork as possible and throw away anything that I possibly can.
I handle each piece of paper only once.
I write replies to most letters right on the piece of paper.
Delegation
I delegate everything I possibly can to others.
I make use of specialists to help me with special problems
I have someone screen my mail and phone calls and handle all routine matters.
Changing habits
I get up at 5 a.m. during the week (and go to bed early).
I have a light lunch so I don't get sleepy in the afternoon.
I keep small talk to a minimum during work hours.
I examine old habits for possible elimination or streamlining.
I don't read newspapers or magazines (except occasionally). I do glance at the headlines at the newsstands to keep up on the world.
I skim books quickly looking for ideas.
I try to listen actively in every discussion.
I save up all trivia for a three-hour session once a month.
I don't own a television set. (My family and I went to a motel to watch the moon walks and we rented a set for the political conventions.)
I have my office close enough to my home to be able to walk to work. But when I'm lazy or in a hurry I drive.
I try not to think of work on weekends.
I do much of my thinking on paper.
Being Creative
I try to find a new technique each day that I can use to help gain time.
I give myself time off and special rewards when I've done the important things.
I work alone creatively in the morning and use the afternoons for meetings, if necessary.
Empty Categories
Awareness
Multitasking
Activity logs
One step at a time
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A-1 Planning
I always plan first thing in the morning and set priorities for the day
I schedule my time months in advance in such a way that each month offers variety and balance as well as "open time" reserved for "hot" projects.
I keep a list of specific items to be done each day, arrange them in priority order, and then do my best to get the important ones done as soon as possible.
New techniques
Control time by planning.
Put time and effort into refining the plan.
In all planning, long-range, middle-range or short-range, make a list and set priorities. All the items on a list are not of equal value. Whenever a list is made, finish the list by setting priorities.
Long-term planning and goal-setting must be complemented by short-term planning.
On a Friday afternoon review the week's work done and plan roughly for the next week
I will do detailed planning on everything in my A list.
Be flexible and spontaneous
Only good planning will let me reap maximum benefits from minimum time investments.
No matter how busy I am, I should always take the time to plan.
A-2 Being Organized
I keep my desk top cleared for action, and put the most important thing in the center of my desk.
I have a place for everything (so I waste as little time as possible looking for things).
I carry blank 3X5 index cards in my pocket to jot down notes and ideas.
New Techniques
Try and do the same thing at the same time each day to conserve and generate energy.
I will make a To Do List every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as I go through the day.
I will try to handle each piece of paper only once
Fix a quiet time and stick to it. Like every morning I can set 9:00 to 10:00 to go through the day's work and sort out everything before meeting people and start working with them
Set meetings at a certain time - Interpretation time - every Wednesday 11:30 - 12:30, Weekly team meetings Friday 15:00-16:00, meeting with the client every second Wednesday 7:30 - 8:30
I will set a deadline and try to meet it as far as possible
A-3 Handling fears
If I seem to procrastinate I ask myself: "What am I avoiding?" - and then I try to confront that thing head-on.
I have trained myself to go down my To Do List without skipping over the difficult items.
I relax and "do nothing" rather frequently
New Techniques
I will deal with unpleasantness directly.
I will recognize the greater unpleasantness that results from delay.
I will create enthusiasm that counterbalances the unpleasantness.
Give myself a pep talk to get me started on my A-1.
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Categories by priority
Planning
Being Organized
Handling fears
Working on goals
Priorities
Positive thinking
Concentration
Efficiency
Making best use of time
Reducing paper work
Delegation
Changing habits
Being Creative
Awareness
Multitasking
Activity logs
One step at a time
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My Comments on the exercise
When I read the book I got a rough idea of where I could save time. But by doing this exercise I have put them into different categories and now I can see that there are different ways in day to day life where I can save time. I can even combine a few techniques from different categories and use them.
I also realized that most of the time I avoid doing something because it is difficult or “a bit messy”. I have learnt now that by working on it I can get things done. I never realized that this was a part of time management till I read the book. I have given it one of the top three priorities because I feel I need to work on that a lot more.
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Contd..
Exercises 5..13
Exercises 14..17
Exercises 18..20
Exercises 21..23