Just finished skimming an insightful e-book “Eat that Frog” on time management. Although I am pretty comfortable with my time management techniques and have been able to handle divergent priorities till now, I took a chance with this book to learn something new – In hope to prepare for upcoming eventuality of a time crunch year ahead.
There were not exactly new things or mantra’s that this book presented. However, the book simply reinforced things that were buried down, several stacks, in my personal conscience. As the saying goes “You can’t teach an adult something new, you can just help him realize what he already knows”. Overall, I left the book with a positive experience and here is a snapshot of few things I liked.
The author emphasized that his success mantra over the years have been that he continuously learned what other successful people in his role did and he applied the same. Interesting thought but I would like to add a twist –
“Think that you can do absolutely anything in life and commit to anything you want to do. Once done, find a role model whom you can follow, learn his approach, and applying the same. There is so much in this world to learn. If you can’t find a role model that means you are doing something that has never been done yet. Pat yourself and celebrate first – to find such task. Later, continue to believe you are made to do it, create your own path, and let others follow”. Quite an interesting theory!!!
Other than the above thought, the author presented 21 ideas – most of them pretty obvious but important like hell - to better your time management. I picked up few on them:
1. Think on Paper - Make written goals. It helps in thinking clearly. Write 10 goals for yourself, now
2. Plan your day in advance and live the future.
3. Follow 20/80 rule and pick the important activities first.
4. Long Term thinking improves short term decisions. Think bigger picture always.
5. Take small but regular steps to huge targets. Discipline yourself to take one step at a time. Your job is to go as far as you can see. Once you reach there, you will see the next destination.
6. Only about 2% people can work without supervision. These people are called 'Leaders' – Put voluntary pressure rather than waiting for someone.
7. Do the most difficult task first and create large chunks of time for important work.
The book implores one to be action oriented and the author concluded that an average person who develops the habit of setting clear priorities and getting important tasks completed quickly will run circles around a genius who talks a lot and makes wonderful plans but who gets very little done.
Quite an interesting read that plunged me into action – at least for now!!!!
