Another excerpt from my latest book, Simple Realities (The pathway to happiness and success), which is now available at Amazon.com and on Kindle.
I’ve lost track of the number of books and articles I’ve read dealing with time management. I’ve taken a couple of courses and carefully examined at least half a dozen “systems” dealing with the subject. What I’ve learned is: everyone has the same 24 hours available each day; there is no one-size-fits-all time management technique; and, time management is a strictly personal undertaking
Days are like identical suitcases; some people can pack more into them than others.
If it takes more than five seconds to list your priorities, you don’t have any.
We make time to do what we really want to do.
We should never get so busy that we don’t have time to think.
Take care of the days and the calendar will take care of the years.
Don’t waste your time thinking you can do other people’s jobs better; use it to improve your own performance.
Time is usually wasted in minutes, not hours; a bucket with a tiny hole in the bottom will become as empty as one with a huge hole, it will just take longer.
Never let the fact that you can’t do everything you want to do keep you from doing what you can do.
If you don’t have time to do it right the first time, you’ll not have time to do it over.
What matters most is now.
Deadlines should be based on what we can do, not on what we’d like to do; we will often achieve more by having a number of shorter deadlines than by having one long one.
Changeable deadlines aren’t deadlines.
It’s ridiculous to complain that our days are too short if we live as if there’ll be no end to them.
People who make the worst use of time are usually the ones who complain there’s not enough of it.
Make to-do lists; the strongest memory is weaker than the palest ink.
If you’re already really busy, you should drop an old activity before adding a new one.
Ever see a tombstone with the inscription I wish I’d spent more time at the office?
If you have thirty minutes to chop down a tree, spend twenty sharpening your axe.
One of the most effective time management techniques is to do at least one thing every day that you would rather put off, and do it as early in the day as you can.
Everything can’t be a number one priority; even the best horse can’t wear two saddles.
Things that matter most should always take priority over things that matter least.
Tomorrow is never behind schedule.
Time is an extremely valuable asset; every minute is a miracle that will never happen again.
Time is relentless; we can’t escape it.
Never get too busy for what really matters – like your family.
It’s very easy to get fooled into thinking there’ll always be time; there may not be.
Spend more time thinking about today than about tomorrow.