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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Time, Self & Action Management

by Rick Baker
On Apr 19, 2011
While listening to audio book 'The Now Habit At Work’, it occurred to me the words time management may be stalling people.
 
I mean, most people can not manage time nor would they even try to manage time. Time is a concept. Time is a concept most people either take for granted or don’t think about. Time is a concept most people don’t want to dwell on let alone manage.
 
When we use the words 'time management' we are not speaking accurately.
 
And, we may be stalling people, which, of course, is the exact opposite of our goal.
 
I am not saying people may be consciously aware we are stalling them.
 
I am saying, when other people experience us using that word combination – time management – maybe we are setting off a subconscious reaction that causes them to stall.
 
Regardless, I think that word combination is just plain wrong. Few human beings have the ability to manage time. Maybe some monks or yogis probably can manage time? Perhaps Albert Einstein could manage time? [He knew a lot more about time than most of us.] We hear stories about people who face extreme danger and, somehow, their subconscious mind slows time for them. Or, at least, they manage to cram a huge amount of indelible perception into a small amount of time. Maybe those are some examples of time management? There are other examples like that...if they are examples of time management then time management is rare.
 
So, for most people the words 'time management' set a confusing ‘bar’. Maybe that bar is set too high or maybe that bar doesn’t make sense at all. I think it is the latter.
 
So, we need to use other words when we want people to ‘manage their time’.
 
We could use self-management but that is not ideal because that’s a broad topic that goes beyond the ‘management of time’.
 
From now on, I intend to use the words ‘action management’. That’s what we want to do and that’s what we want other people to do. We want to manage our actions.
 
Back to that audio book, 'The Now Habit At Work’…
 
It mentions 'strategic cramming', i.e., leaving some things to the last minute. I like that strategy because it is a way to Procrastinate For Success. I believe you can build 'action strength' by using methods like strategic cramming. You can - and at least some of the time you should - intentionally refrain from doing tasks until the very last minute. Then, when you [finally] do the task you should concentrate, focus, and expedite your action. Build this strength. It is a valuable strength.
 
Teach yourself you can do it – teach yourself you can handle last-minute crunches.
 
This is a sample of Procrastinate For Success.  Methods like strategic cramming help you gain skill (concentration) and it help you gain something more important - confidence. When we Procrastinate For Success that skill and the benefits it provides snowball...the more you do it the better you get at it.
Maybe your skill will become so great you will want to leave everything to the last minute?
 
Maybe you will be a Master of Procrastinate For Success?

Comments (6) -

rick baker
3/26/2012 9:43:36 PM #

“He forces himself to do the most disagreeable tasks first, and does not allow himself to skip hard problems.”

Orison Swett Marden
'Pushing to the Front', (1911)

rick baker
4/23/2012 9:50:08 PM #

"True success begins with a state of mind. But it takes specific actions and behaviors to move from intentions into action and get results."

Dr. Doug Hirschhorn
'8 Ways to Great', (2010)

rick baker
11/25/2012 7:46:02 PM #

"Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind."

Theodore Roosevelt

rick baker
5/26/2013 8:03:14 PM #

"Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you'll have more time, and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment, "Is this necessary?""

Marcus Aurelius
'Meditations', (170's)

rick baker
8/13/2013 12:02:02 AM #

"Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster."

Theodore Roosevelt

rick baker
4/6/2014 10:26:37 PM #

"Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste."

Benjamin Franklin

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