In todays hectic world, time management cannot but be emphasised. It is the fundamental defence you have against the innumerable diversions that are available, diversions that take you away from your goals. Every goal necessarily involves putting in the required effort, both physical and mental; that means finding and allotting the necessary time towards these requirements. You have to fit in the activities with in your available time.

Remember, a day has only 24 hours. Out of this nearly 14 hours is taken away by your need to sleep, eat, commute to work etc., spending time with your family and other routine activities. That leaves you just about 10 hours to earn a living as well as fit in any other activity you may contemplate for your growth in desired spheres. You may at the most be able to squeeze in another couple of hours, with difficulty. This shows you how important it is to manage your time is you harbour any ambition to break out of your rut and grow to reach your full potential.

Ask yourself the following questions.

Is what you are doing adding value to your life?

Are the actions you contemplate taking essential?

Is there anyway to spend less time on those actions?

Can those actions be combined with some others or, better still can they be delegated to someone else?

How much time is required to complete the work?

What is the best time of the day and week to attempt those actions?

These are just a few of the check list that managing time entails. Some of the common time wasters are,

a. Telephone interruptions
b. Unannounced Visitors
c. Lack of Objectives and Aims
d. Unforeseen emergency
e. Lack of Discipline

This list can be built upon. One gets the drift. Manage your time and spend it wisely and you are more likely than not to be a success in anything you attempt.

As a well known saying goes,

20% of activity gives 80% of results and 80% of activity gives 20% of results. It is the latter kinds of activity that needs to be curtailed. If the first 20% can be pushed upto 25% you are assured of 100% results.

Paramesh