Time Management(Advanced)

There are several methods, techniques, tools, planners, etc., to

manage and control our time.

In fact, we have experienced three generations of time Management. We’ve been told to work harder, learn to do things better & faster,

use new devices such as files, organisers, planners, schedules

etc. to be able to do well.

But these do not click. We get frustrated. We feel that something

is wrong somewhere. Because working faster and harder do not

yield the desired results.

Generations of Time Management

• 1st – Reminders, to do lists etc.• 2nd – Planers, Appointment books• 3rd – Prioritisation1st & 2nd generation of TM help as Memory Aids.

3rd generation of TM can be compared to a Car Travel, using a wrong map.

We have a better car, good road etc. It facilitates speedy travel, offers good mileage. But the

wrong map will not take us to the real destination. We’ll reach the

wrong place, faster!

If we keep doing what we’ve been doing, we’re going to keep getting

what we’re getting.

One definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and

expect different results.

We need to move beyond time Management to Life Leadership –

to a 4th generation based on paradigm that will create quality of

life results.

4th generation of TM is based on Importance Paradigm. Free yourself from the ‘Urgency

addiction’.

It is a principle-centred approach. Basing our happiness on our ability

to control everything is futile. While we do control our choices of

action, we cannot control the consequences of our choices.

Universal laws or principles do. Thus, we are not in control of our

lives; principles are.

Clock & Compass

“New technique of TM offers a Compass, instead of a clock -

because, ‘where you are headed’ is more important than ‘how fast you

are going’.

Said Alice to the cat -"'Would you tell me, please, which way

I ought to go from here?''That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,'

said the Cat.'I don't much care where ...‘ said Alice.

'Then it doesn't matter which way you go.' said the Cat.'.. so long as I get somewhere.' Alice added as an

explanation.'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, 'if you only walk

long enough.'"

From Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland

Shift your focus from urgency to importance.

The Main thing is to keep the Main thing

the Main thing.

For many of us there is a gap between the clock and the

compass - the gap between what is deeply important to you and the way you spend your time. This gap

is not closed by traditional approach to TM.

Reduce this gap.

Knowing what is important rather than simply responding to what is urgent is foundational to Putting

First Things first.

We’ve painstakingly climbed the “ladder of success” rung by rung –

the hard work, later hours, diploma, qualifications,

promotions – only to discover as we reached the top rung that the

ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.

Four Human Needs

Physical, Social, Mental and spiritual needs

We have many different roles in life. We need more time. We want to enjoy our life more.

We never have time for ourselves. Our friends and family want more

of us. We have no balance between our work-life and

personal life.

Life is hectic. What is important to me is being swept away in the current of what is important to

everybody else. The enemy of best is ‘good’. It is the question of

choice – first things first – what contributes to your life.

The purpose of life is to live, to love , to learn and to leave a

legacy. (Physical, social, mental and

spiritual)

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

It is where these four needs overlap, that we find true inner

balance, deep fulfillment and joy.

Fulfilling the four needs in an integrated way results in an

explosion of inner synergy that ignites the ‘fire within’ and gives

vision, passion and spirit of adventure to life.

Fire Within

URGENT NOT URGENT

IMPORTANT

ICrisesPressing ProblemsDead-line driven projects, meetings, preparations.

Value addition, if not done, serious loss – deal quicklyQ1 acts on us –action packed

IIPreparation, PreventionValue Clarification , PlanningRelationship BuildingTrue re-creationEmpowermentValue addition is there; but it can wait. give good time slot. Push it forward. We act on Q 2

NOT IMPORTANT

IIIInterruptions, some phone callsSome mail, some reportsSome meetingsMany proximate, pressing mattersMany popular activities

Small time slot – it is quadrant of deception – Noise of urgency creates illusion of importance.

IVTrivia, busy workJunk mailSome phone callsTime wasters‘Escape’ activitiesJournal, News papers

Dust Bin