Time Management then and now: Photo Courtesy- Internet

You had a tiring day in office orchestrating the phone calls, meetings, and fulfilling clients' as well as boss's expectations. You reached home but your laptop screen is still glowing and phone is still ringing. You tried to finish the work late at night, scrolled last time through your emails and messages, and slipped inside your blanket.
The same cycle started again. Morning on toilet seat catching up with social media, emails and messages, eating breakfast in a hurry and rushing to office. You decided to manage time smartly today but you got no time to plan your day.

Time is a constant parameter. It started ticking with the Big bang 13.8 billion years ago and is still ticking. Time is, in fact, a sequence of events. Without events, past, present and future wouldn't exist and so would be time. Time was always there and will be there even when we are gone. We need to manage ourselves more than time.

Birth of time Management:
The time management concept was on peak during the industrial revolution era. Major jobs were in the factory. How much you can produce in 1 hour should be multiplied by 8 to know your per day productivity. Factory time used to start in the morning at 9AM and finished at 6PM giving you a 9-hour window. Most of the work in a factory was routine work which didn't require much attention and energy. Time was money.

We are in a new era of knowledge and expertise. In this era, our value is more on what we can accomplish than how much we can produce per hour. Quality and efficiency of achievement are more dependants on focus and energy we can have. I am not saying that time is not important. Time is the basic and it is constant. Whatever we do, time will move at the same pace. Binding work in a 9-hour window starting at 9AM may not be so fruitful now as it used to be during the industrial era.

For example: you reach the office at 9AM. With a tough time on the road with traffic, your energy level is low, your mind is reluctant to start work. You switched on your laptop and checked all mails, till a message pops up for the coffee break. You had all kinds of social and political discussions. After cursing govt and boss, you are back on the seat, scrolled through social media and mails one more time before you start work. Within 1-2 hours, you got a call for a lunch break.

Time Focus and Energy: Productivity

Most Productive Time (MPT)
After heavy lunch your energy level is low. It took you one hour to gain your energy and focus back.  You are finishing your work at a good pace now but you could focus only after half-day is gone. Maybe this time say 3PM post-lunch is your peak time or Most Productive Time, let's call it MPT, when your focus is at the best and energy level is high. you can finish work at a good pace which was due since morning.

In between, meeting request pops up on your screen and you took a laptop and walked away breaking the focus you gained.
You might be getting MPT 3-4 times in a day or more. The work you do in MPT helps you accomplish your major part of daily tasks. You are est productive during these hours.
 
Productivity is money. What you can accomplish, how much work you can do in the least time is your value. That's why the old-time Management concept is not working so well.
That's why the "Time is Money" phrase is also obsolete.

How few Organizations has changed themselves with new Era : 
Many big organizations and startups are accepting this change of new era hence 9AM to 6PM work hours is past for them. They have flexible time policy to appear in the office and also Work From Home is allowed so that employees can work during their MPT.
In the internet era, your physical presence is not required all the time. Conference calls, group chats, and video calls are new definitions of meetings and brainstorming.

How to Manage your productivity:
Task 1:
For the next one week, notice your MPT.
You might have MPT almost at the same time every day
For example morning 7-8AM 11-12PM 3-5PM 8-10Pm

Task2:
Once you have identified your MPT, plan your work which requires most of the focus and energy during the identified MPT window, for example, your office work, writing book, article, preparing for exam etc.
Don't let people disturb you or steal your MPT. Cut yourself from social media and emails during MPT which might cause you lose your focus. In fact, we can fix time say checking emails and messages once in 2-3 hours depending on the type of job.

Task3:
Plan your non-productive work during non MPT, for example, household maintenance work, spending time with family, living with your hobby, adeventure, relaxing etc.
You might be thinking that 24 hours is not enough to finish my important work, how can I do this only during MPT.
Studies show that if you are trying to work on something all day, your productivity goes down and decision-making ability drops drastically. This reduces your MPT. Hence you might feel like you worked all day and feel good and proud about yourself but actual MPT hours may be much lesser.

Other than that you will not be able to give time to family, your hobbies and your relationship. Focus also drops drastically if your relationship with family members is not healthy or you are cut off from your hobby.

Try this new concept and comment below your experience.
"Time is Money" is obsolete. now "Productivity is Money."

Brunei is an amazing place for it's serene and beautiful nature, mosques, king's lifestyle, water village, dense forest and many more.  It's sparsely populated and one of the richest country in the world.

Out of all the tourist places around Bandar City, capital, trekking was one of them in my list.
The place is located right in the middle of the city. It was just 2.5km from my hotel.

Plan was to start by 6AM so that I can return before it's too sunny. It was supposed to be just 2-3 hours of trekking, thanks to google.
I got up at 8AM. It was beautiful Saturday late morning.  You always have the privilege of time if you are traveling alone.

I left home at 9AM and started walking. There were only two small makeshift stalls at the entrance for water and drinks.  I was not in the mood to carry any bag hence didn't buy any water, even left one filled water bottle at home.

I had done a lot of trekking before, but never alone. I saw a few groups finishing their trekking at the entrance.
"Hello brother, how much time it takes to climb up?" I asked.
"2-4 hours depending on the path you take."

I have done full day trekking before and this might be the shortest.

Map at entrance

I took a photo of Map at the entrance and started moving on trekking path. Sun rays were struggling to enter the dense forest. Brunei has preserved their nature well and untouched. You can see really old dense trees very next to your apartment.

Few monkeys were sitting on way enjoying their time with family.
It was only me in this dense forest and I was totally enjoying my date with nature. It was a rare moment.

After almost one hour of trekking, I started feeling thirsty.
There were few direction boards in the beginning but after getting further into the dense forest, I was not able to see any such boards. If I hit any junction with multiple walkways, I had to decide on my gut feeling and little help from map photo I took at the entrance. I was not able to see anyone now most probably because this place is not so popular or I am too late for trekking.

As time passed, my throat went completely dry. I was getting exhausted and tired by now. As I was reaching the top of the mountain, the sun was able to penetrate the forest increasing temperature.



I looked around with very less hope of finding any help.
Few crazy thoughts started taking birth in my head.

"What if I am lost here?"
"Am I going to die here?"

"I am already real thirsty and if I choose correct path while returning, best case will still take minimum two hours. Will I be able to survive till then?"
My legs started shivering. I started feeling more exhausted and more thirsty.

Another side of mind woke up.
"Shut up, nothing will happen, this is such a small problem"
"Your life is not so cheap. You will definitely come out of it"

But the first part of the brain didn't buy this.
"I am sure you are just trying to console me".

I was putting one step after another slowly on steep stairs toward the top of the mountain. There was no question of going back without touching the top. I was making sure not to get exhausted much hence was taking rest more often.

Slowly top was visible. One small shed was built there decorated with a signboard "
Welcome Mid Autumn festival".
Colorful Chinese lanterns were hanging around the shed. Suddenly I saw one almost 10 liter water jar kept at the corner of the shed. I started moving fast, went to it but it was empty. Looks like it is there since long time untouched covered with complete dust.
"Thank god for laughing at my situation." I looked up and said.

Small worn out shed at top

"Helloooo"  "Helloooooooooooooo" "heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelppppppppppp!!!!!!"
I shouted without much of hope.

No reply. There was no signal on my mobile as well.
I was now in a strong urge to drink water else I might faint. I felt an urge to empty my bladder as well.

"Should I drink my urine?"

"What if I drink and fall sick? It will become worse"
But if I just pass it, I might lose a chance to drink something.

Few documentary movies re-played in my mind where a person in such a situation drinks his own pee and eats cockroaches to keep himself alive.
"I didn't see any cockroach in the forest yet."

I saw one garbage box kept in the corner. I walked to it, opened the lid which was tightened properly to avoid being blown away by the wind.

Quite a few water bottles stared at me from inside, as if telling me that they are also thirsty without water since long. Few empty soft drink cans were also lying in that with ants queuing to get last sweet drop left sticking to bottle.
I felt jealous of ants. They can quench their thirst in just one drop. Now I was missing my bottle, I left on the table at home, very much. It was flashing in front of my eyes every second.

I dropped the plan of drinking urine as I never tested it. Right in the middle of a forest on top of the mountain, it was really fun peeing there. You can enjoy a few moments even when you are in deep shit.

I was not sure what to do now. Minimum 1-2 hours of more trekking left to go back and I had no energy left.

No choice but to move. I walked hardly two steps and my legs started shivering.
I returned to shed again and lied down on the fixed thin bench.

"Forget about the problem. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the moment. close your eyes."
I let my heavy breathing turn normal. Got my mind relaxed and dozed for few minutes recharging myself.
I got up, cherished and praised the city which was beautiful from the top. I can see the main structures all around the city, Mosque, bridge, sultan's palace etc.

I started walking again, with new confidence. "Slowly one step at a time, just focus on finding a right and shortest path"

I was analyzing the surroundings to make sure that I am not lost.

After a good 40 min walk suddenly sun rays reflected on my face. Reflection was coming from a beautiful lake hiding behind trees. I remembered I saw one lake in the map. I immediately took out the map in excitement trying to locate myself using the lake as a landmark.

"Woo hoo. I am on the right path." I started walking along the lake. That what I learned from a few movies. Walk along water body if you are lost. Small pathway turned wider and now I can see it is connecting to the proper path.

I was so happy that I am out. Finally took a sigh of relief. I was thinking I will go out now and drink a lot of water first. from one side I heard a faint waterfall sound. I started chasing the sound and soon I was on top of it but the waterfall was not visible.

Soon I realized that I am on the wrong side. I can get a proper view of the waterfall if I go opposite to it. It was a calm and lovely waterfall. No one was there as well.

I sat at bottom of the waterfall. The strong urge of drinking water was gone. You can't get this type of opportunity very often where only you and nature are spending time together.

Waterfall in middle of forest

Last 4 hours was reeling in my mind.
"Why do our mind works against us? "
Our mind plays around us and fools us. 1 hour back I was fully exhausted, dead thirsty and completely out of energy and now I am sitting calmly in front of a waterfall with no strong urge of drinking water. Just because I got this feeling that I am safe now and I know how to go out of this place.

It was a rare life-threatening experience but with the realization that we live in so much of comfort zone that we feel helpless in even such small problems.

We should live in the present and enjoy the moment than worrying much about the future. Keep your hand on your heart and say "All is Well" and strongly face the situation.
I was happy that I managed to calm myself when I was at the peak of the mountain and could adore the nature's beauty.

With calmness induced from nature, I walked away at a slow pace. Found a water vending machine at the entrance. Dropped coins and emptied the sweetest water I ever had.

Vending machine

Life is learning every day, never miss the present worrying about the future.

2019 Resolution

Travelling has become part of my life. In fact life is a journey and even if you are not travelling, you are travelling in time.

Doesn't matter how many times I travelled to different countries, excitement to see a new country is always high in me. This travel, God was ready to give me a totally new thrilling experience.

My flight was booked in advance which was supposed to depart at 11:15PM  from Bangalore. I had connecting flight in KL, Malaysia to Brunei.

Although it was my business travel, we booked in AirAsia, budget airlines, because of few limitations.
It was Thursday, Friday was holiday for Ganesh puja in India, which means a long weekend.
So what for me? I was anyway travelling to another country where Friday was working day. But no, "Wait" this holiday had an impact on me.

As per my calculation and previous data analysis, It generally takes 1.5 hours to 2 hours to reach Bangalore Airport from my home. Yes, Bangalore airport is almost in different city.

1 hour buffer should be good enough. I travelled in international flight many times and I knew that from taking boarding pass to reaching boarding gate takes max of 30 min so reaching airport 1.5 hours to 2 hours before take off should give enough comfortable time.

I planned to leave by 7PM from home and I should reach max by 9PM. 30 Min buffer and 9:30PM should also be before ticket counter closing time which is 1 hour before flight departure.

After packing and finishing few errands, I managed to book Uber only 15 minutes past 7PM. Mostly Uber arrives within 5-10 minutes as my house is close to main road but long Ganesh Puja holiday and traffic of people going to their hometown was choking the movement.

Continuous call to Uber driver, tracking him till he reached my home only by 8PM. Two sweat drops rolled down from head to ears and neck thinking of unexpected. I sat inside taxi and said "All is well, All is well" to myself.

Impact of Ganesh puja was yet not over. Traffic in my area was crawling while I was still hoping that once it reaches ring road, taxi can run faster. I can't do anything else other than keeping hope alive.

I never missed flight so I was kind of sure that I will not miss this time as well.
All horns were adding sound effects in thrill ride and traffic lights were it seems planning to ruin my trip. I told driver that flight is at 11:15PM and we should go fast. He stared at me and moved his eyes back on road.

Once I am out of city limit, it takes 15-20 min only to reach airport. While on ring road we need to pass one railway station KR Puram area. Our taxi started crawling like tortoise once we reached there. Till now I was sweating from everywhere(yes I mean it). It was not hot but I requested driver to switch on AC.

After 30 min of struggle on that 3KM stretch our taxi got some speed.
Highway was also covered with buses going to different city and taxis to airport. By the time, we conquered this fight and reached airport, my watch showed 10PM. I paid money immediately to driver which I was holding in my hand to save whatever few seconds I can.

I took my luggage out from car trunk, put on trolley and ran to airport. Bangalore airport domestic and International departure are in same area.

I saw AirAsia written on one window and ran there. One flight attendant told that it's domestic Airasia flight window, go to International on other end.

I ran again, as fast as I can. My mind was running faster painting all possibilities  in background. I scanned all windows till end and couldn't see Airasia written on any window.

"Did they close already ?"
I missed a heartbeat. "Now I need to justify why I missed or pay for another booking."

I  just shook my head to drop all these thoughts and focus on current situation.
Saw an AirAsia attendant and rushed to her. She pointed at window 57 and said "It was, now they are closed".

"What???"

I ran to the window shoving my trolley as fast as I could.
"Madam, my ticket and passport."

"Where are you flying to sir?"
"KL and then connecting flight to Brunei."

"That flight window is already closed sir. It closes one hour before departure."
"But I came 1 hour 15 min before departure. It took me time to find departure window as Domestic and international flight windows are not mentioned clearly."

"Now you can't do anything. You Can't fly!!"
"So what are my options?" I asked.
"Can't sir!!. Your flight is non-transferrable and it will go in -no show."

Can't was bouncing in my head.
I also Can't give up so easily. I reeled in my mind.

She said, go to AirAsia ticket issuing counter. They might be able to help.
Time was running out faster than ever, as if, I was trying to save someone's life in ICU.

 I ran to ticket counter and just jumped inside the room.
"Excuse me sir! You can't come inside like this."

"I need urgent help as my flight is about to depart and window is closed." I said in one breath.

"Which flight?" she asked as if she got chance to have some fun time with me.
"Flight to KL" I replied.

"No chance. Window is closed. We can't take any passenger now"
Again one more "Can't".

"What are my options? when is the next flight. Can I use my return ticket at least from my current booking?" I asked.
I was expecting "yes" as an obvious answer, but when you are in trouble, obvious is not so obvious.

She pretended as if she is busy entertaining other passengers at counter.
"Next flight is only on Saturday night. Since all the legs are booked under one PNR. If you don't fly onward, this ticket will automatically expire."

So next flight only after 2 days and a loss of around 1000 Dollars. Flight will be costly also if I book just 1-2 days before.

No, not one more "can't" again.

I tried to calm down. Took bottle out of my bag and drank one gulp, trying to swallow what was happening with me.

I took few deep breaths and instructed my mind to think "How can I?".
If someone is not helping in an organization, what can we do?

Escalate it to higher management.

I told her, "I want to meet your manager. Please call him".

She replied, "Please go to boarding counter. They might be able to help."
I ran back to boarding counter and repeated the same.

It was already 10:35PM by now. 40 more minutes to go.
"No sir, manager is busy with passengers. He can't help."

"I got very important meeting tomorrow as soon as I land and you don't have any flight tomorrow.
Check your records I am a frequent flyer in Airasia and also VIP passenger."
I cooked some story.

It seems it worked. She told " Okay, I will call the manager".
She dialled someone and spoke for a while. Then she told me
 "Go to ticket window and wait there."

I felt like she is just shooing me away as I am trying all ways to board the plane.
I had no choice though, but to do as she said.

I went to ticket counter and waited restlessly there. After good 10 mins, one guy came running and asked.
"Why are you late, sir?"

There was no time for discussion.
He told "follow me" and ran toward Airasia Domestic window where terminals were still open for other flights. I ran beside him with my luggage trolley telling him story of Ganesh Puja holiday and unexpected heavy traffic, booking taxi etc..

On way he instructed someone to collect my luggage and put in flight.
When we reached boarding gate, he jumped on the other side and took my ticket printout with passport.

"You have booked luggage? will this exceed luggage weight?"
"Yes, 25Kg is booked and sure this is in limit as I weighed at home"

No time to weigh luggage. He printed boarding pass, stickers to paste on luggage. In between another guy came running to collect my luggage. Manager instructed him how to put in plane as it was not going on conveyor belt.

He jumped this side and said "please run with me"

I started running together with him as I got only hand baggage which was a backpack.
20 more minutes to go for flight to take off, I just checked my watch quickly.

He took me to Immigration counter for crew members as there was no queue.

Immigration officer checked my passport and boarding pass and asked that guy "Why are we allowing him so late? You are not following protocol."

Manager told that there was some serious problem. Immigration officer didn't ask any further question. He stamped on passport and let me go.

We ran to hand baggage scan area. Ran through long queue "Sorry, my flight is leaving in another 10 minutes" I kept shouting without waiting for anyone's reaction and reached to scanning machine.

I repeated the same line in front of our army guys deployed there for security and scanning. He immediately kept my bag inside machine surpassing all bags in queue and checked and stamped my boarding pass.

"Run! Run!" he said. Manager was not seen anywhere.

I checked my boarding pass for boarding gate. Luckily it was near by.
People were already boarding the plane. I was just in nick of time.

Manager stood at the boarding verifying everyone's ticket.
I showed my ticket, he beam his barcode reader gun toward ticket and reported on walkie talkie.
"Passenger 256 boarding. Passenger luggage loaded in plane?"

"Luggage loaded" someone replied from other end.

I told him how grateful I was for the last minute adjustment and appreciated them for accommodating me. He looked at me in the eye acknowledging the pain I went through to get till here, then he went ahead with other passengers.

I walked slowly as a conqueror inside plane, glanced at the empty seat waiting for me which would have flown without me today.

As I adjusted the hand baggage I carried with me in the overhead bin, felt how badly I was sweating and smiled thinking the chain of events which got me till this moment. It was a sigh of relief when I sat in my seat “finally”.

Have I not instructed my mind to stop focusing on "can't" and start thinking "how can I" I would be in some soup.

Remember, whenever mind says "can't", listen to it as "How can I?"
This will make you look for solution instead of crying at closed door. This happens in every walk of life.

Try once yourself and you will be shocked with the result.

Few Brunei Pics
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Couples in love sometimes fall in situation when they start contradicting each other for every small action. This breaks out dispute which takes days to sort out and sometimes ends up even with separation.

My name is Prashant. I am from Bihar, part of India where caste system is something enforced by our society. For your surprise, I am married to a person not from same caste, not from same state, neither from same country. yes, she is a foreigner from totally different world, different religion, different food habits, different beliefs and different lifestyle.


"So how both of you are going along?"

"Can she cook Indian food?"
"Can you eat her country food? what kind of food they eat?
"Is she able to manage with spicy food?"

"What's her religious beliefs?"
"Is she able to respect our culture?"
"What's her reaction on our long list of festivals?"
" can she do fasting for you?"
"How was your parent's reaction?"

I am always bombarded with lot of such questions and will be looked upon like an alien.

Yes, these problems are and will always be there. Many times she come up with statement "I don't understand why....................... "
These problems never created any difference between us although we debate on various such topics.

Cause of dispute:

To know how we handle this, first let's understand who you are?
A set of experience, beliefs, emotions, likes, dislikes, choices, a particular mind and a particular body is what "you" are. Similar combination but totally different kind what "Other" person is.

At a times, when part of both combination matches and overlaps perfectly, life moves in perfect harmony, full of joy and happiness. Physical and mental being is perfectly compatible.
Next moment when another part of both, totally different, failed to overlap, whatever you do you can't find it compatible and that is when dispute erupts.

Meaning of love: If we are in relationship, we feel that we can give command and you must follow because I love you. And if you do as I say, it means you love me back.

Back of your mind your ego says "You gotta do this to prove you love me"

If we love someone, our main motto should be their happiness. They can be happy only when they do what they love to do. So we should not only allow them to do what they like but also support and encourage them.

Whenever there is dispute, talk to yourself and say "I love him/her and his/her happiness is more important for me". Then next moment you wouldn't be fighting with each other but will be fighting with the misunderstanding which is the root cause of dispute.

I love drawing, painting and writing articles. My wife got no interest in these but she reads my article and gives feedback. Same way my wife loves cooking and I love trying new dishes and help her in improving her cooking skills.

Action Time: So here is your assignment for next week.
List down three hobbies and interests of your partner. Attach them with three different activities and make sure that all is done at least once in next one month. You have to be a part of activity with full energy.


Line to take home: Remember love means giving. If you expect something in return is less of love and more of selfishness.