By: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Sr. Associate Editor, ICN Group
(In the past article, we knew about how to save ourselves from petty distractions. Today, I will share my real life example as to how I planned my days at office.)
How I planned my days at office by developing idea of time periods during the day
NOIDA: While working for the Government of India, my office hours were from 0930 am to 0600 pm, having lunch break from 1.30 pm to 2 pm. That means that in the forenoon, I had 4 hours and after lunch, I had 4 hours. I divided my time into four sessions, just like periods in school. In this manner, I got two sessions in the morning and two sessions in the afternoon. During recess between two sessions, I planned a tea break of 10-15 minutes. One can say that it is a wastage of time, but I know in a very clear terms that people do not work 8 hours a day, as they are used to waste their time in gossiping, tea party and criticising officers or colleagues, discussing politics, etc. In my case, my usage of time was planned period, when my energies were refurbished for another session of hard work in just 15 minutes of break.
Then I identified the time periods, when my mental skills are at their maximum levels, so that during planning, high mental requirement works may be scheduled for the morning sessions and normal activities may be left for afternoon sessions.
Remember, how you planned your last vacations
Just remember, how you planned your last vacations. First you decided a destination. Then you decided the mode of transport like train or aeroplane. Then you decided the mode of transport from home to airport and back to home on your return journey. Then you booked the hotel and cab at the destination place or a package. If you were leaving for 4-5 days, just before proceeding on leave, you finished all the important and urgent works at your workplace and at your home. Remember the efficiency level of finishing the work at the office. You finished 2 or 3 days’ work in that last day, just before proceeding on leave, when your enthusiasm was at your peak, which resulted into highest degree of productivity.
Now, ask yourself why the same degree of enthusiasm and productivity can’t be repeated day after day. If you can increase your productivity by better planning and doing the required tasks at a good speed on the day before going for vacation, don’t you think, it will be a good idea to inculcate the habit of planning and taking action as per plan on a regular basis. Believe me, this will make your road to success much smoother and distractions free.
Every minute spent in planning will increase your productivity and you will save lot of time while executing your plans, so that you may get more & more time for the things you want to do, as per your own choices.
– Sanjay Kumar Agarwal
(From the next article, I will start discussing the art of positive discrimination i.e. ‘prioritisation’. I believe that you are enjoying the journey towards the future of your dreams with me. If yes, please stay tuned. Happy G.O.P.T.A.)
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Creator & copyright holder of the concept G.O.P.T.A.© is an Author, Certified NLP Lifestyle Trainer, Strategic Interventionist, Corporate Trainer & Motivational Speaker ( http://bit.ly/Signature-Workshops-Sanjay-Kumar-Agarwal ) and recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Excellence (Management) by prestigious Young Scientist University, California, USA. He is Founder of ‘Read, Learn & Earn Movement’ and is popularly known among his fans & followers across the globe as ‘Time and Goal Guru’.
