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publ publis ishe he
If
is stol stolen en prop proper erty ty
It
to
a nn nn e
Contents Wh Yo Shou Should ld Care Care About Your Your Time Time
Time is
11
Enjoy
you
14 What nut" th over overdo doer er
Make this
life
Drift, Drown Or Decide Understanding
18
the choice-making
he
cisi cision on Make Make Wh deci decidi ding ng is so diff diffic icul ul Long term goal goal veIS veIStl tl short term benefits make decisions 4.
ontr ontrol ol
ta ts
It
lann lannin in
Bringing the future into th pres presen en from from prof profes essi sion onals als prio priori riti ties es or no he
Ding
Ho too mu
e-
ofte ofte an..
25
tem
What Do
How to disc discov over er what what and do yo
Life'
eall eall an to do-be wrong What to What if yo you'd be stru struck ck dead dead by ligh lightn tnin in in six months
30
viii
ng en
ev
me
you try spee 37
6.
an activities Eliminat ow
ow chedul ng to
external
low-priority ta ks
el
12.
he
tool Put list Se priorities
14.
nd Othe
eopl time--
Crea
uiet
Im
or Yourse Se up avail-
sing he
en er ct
is
an
he se
Make
15. se priorities
en
thod
How to
rioritie se prio itie
ow
pays of it doesn't
Em-
os
Ac om odat ng Yo rsel
13. As Lakein's Question
treadmill,
phasis Goal
king
reading
is Contac time ve su thinking time abilit hour
scheduling
to us commu
9.
ve Should
they'l respec your
Fo effectiv
th executiv
at
ou can' satisf everyone all th time om om es at Agreeing
52 Avoi
11.
yr
body has time
ix
CONTENTs
CONTENTS
ha five last-ditch try
ow nd In tant Involvement
asks or nstant
involved things that matter
asks
drawer
eHer
to someone
ef Undone are harder ev
de erve
16.
ry timu us Change
Ke
talk
Invo ve
Rememenough information--or
too
Not
CONTENTS
125
oS
What ci on ma final decision
proc
18. Don' Le Fear Ge InYourWa ow fear lead to avoidanc
128
Bypa ng
fear, no procrastinatio
TIME
your fear
IS LIFE
It is rrever ib
an
rrep acea e.
wa
ea
The
to
avoi deadline-mania sT
How to self
Adding extr
w To G
try
bene it
'l
kA
Yo
nat positively
more.
ca procrasti-
t n
will-
tions power
or
oVe
es wort
es
no
is
on ider
ASu
es
155
an av
doin badlyl
Appendix Ho
Case histor Save Ti
of
"failu e" 15fs
11
A LA N L AK EI N
12
RO
TO OB
CO TROL OP
OU
TIMB AN
OU
LIPB
13
life In
is
densome. Far
in ap
in
my ec iq s.
fun
to
grow.
successfully fo your 'm
you
to
want to get
to juagle simultaneous
With
can
my
career ca
also
all
to
If
in
to
use-like
driving
all
really
lDlport~t
in
more effectively.
an
168
15
pe
ch im co iderin
ever
os ib it
is
Control
concept in
control,
lustrate.
If
il-
as
If
The overdoer is
flexibility. He's terribly efficient, bu
as loose as
respond
in that position either
it
with am recommending
ous.
ee
is
is eagerly
nu
his concern
mp
ib
ched e. If
in
It
is indifferent,
The ti
as
can
is
The
plan ng ever
lazy).
his
(i.e., apathetic,
to
flexib
nd po ane-
If
slips by,
he idea is balance.
wa
th
im into
od el enjo av ng ar d: person The overorganlze al ay lists, loain,
14
is
ut is con-
me
ak ng
is s,
atin to
other.
types sketched
is going
to do, to an-
in dif-
16
ALAN LAXBIN
et
if he is to grow
that
OW TO GE
ro ec
If
it
ONTROL
ac
OU
Tl
prec si n, an
AN
OU
LlFB
me ness
You're th Judg is intended to be used inflexibly au is
not
all
set
is
to ap
final
th
ges-
to imin
in
co er fo easy refe ence is
to
just
Are
unpleasant tired
or impossible
if they
to dis-
tively? I'll happ besides.
erso alit
goal
an
ut oo
yo
tbinp
seem overwhelming
it yo
freedom.
control
17
19 tr
el to
ro e.
is surrou book oo
Is
ok
ee th
tc en
tain
ea th to te er to
(1)
in flames. is
outh
eric
everythi us all, clamorin isit
en
leep
igeria
imbu tu
to do
he
t'
ot
ee everythi
fo attention. te
la
brid
is lim-
ti
in te ee
of drea in it en he or ee even onth ha ou all th thin yo have th ep th bo is ex ec in er er en e, th te ic et ou io it he er el ew ta t, or
ti itie
or es lobb bo yo
to butter he toast.
de in
in
ti
ee or
en la
oo
though that living in Chic go woul
om ot er fo et sale
it
ly be
ho
or
he
bo du tion tudy it differen option le -c t.
ea y, om la ge
om
ll--ever
be
la
n. od od
ever-e ding stre le is ed by ou di es el
of possible acti ities, co stantl bein ily, ou ea he ou os ou by yo opes esires
re b.
exciting
ov
in Chiir t, then in
ec l-es te hi final decision is
ment. if
he ha
th ot-too-dista it ools le le
think
ects
en to od y. it
eo le
ives
be bo ocial, economic
day.
ho Ca Do It AD!
18
ha
tabl
explosio
of ne
options.
t, en orizon
er
dete
oi es li
te
ined by
hy ic
obilit
fe er eo
fixed
eal.
ALAN LAKEIN
ou e, fa il ember, bridge layer, ch rchgoer, io 's Club ember, nd politicall aler citizen. ou us juggle th ti de de on yo in each of thes oles or is that all. doze irat customer al de an im ediate deliver of th sa out-of-stock idget. Al th fa il embers cl or fo yo ttenti he yo co ho from or Thre television networks want yo to watc thei progra s. ou co ld en grea de ti re oncili thes co flictingdemands an trying to kee everyone happy. om de ds by ot er ho ld be cc te gr io ly
li ti
in interdependent to so extent
yo
orga iz tion
he
orld an
yo
this
rrie
eans sharin yo
yo 'd be gi in in exha ge fo ot er things yo on ider im orta t- ove, ec rity co io hi oney in er ce it. Sometimes you've go to do ha others an yo to do Bu no al ays!
ck gr du te of chool, ha
it friends,
from high ch ol he do bt
ha is th be
ou th
of
strong opinions on th subject. is th ecisio er
rs
ee
ould go
ef lnes of or
ed ca
be to travel
ck's ti e?
ck
ou e, bo frie ee to ha ch bo ho yo spen your ti as yo your el do-- nd so etimes more. ha feelin be dersta ble, bu th fact is ther ise. Ulti ately, anothe person ca only reco en ha yo ough to do-- ou yo lo th fi deci io ou either ccep or reject th reco endation Of course, som decisions involve painful consequences You boss wants idea bo continue to
ha yo ho ld be oi ress your position yo
is quit larg indeed enough it
it yo ti e. If you ay find yourself it ..
etimes ee
ha yo
he
eris 't de r,
rs ee cl im if colleg if only to le hi other) he ha deci ed Situatio in hich yo feel othe eopl ar akin your
little
ground economic status sex, an race impose real limits on us all. So let' recogniz at th outset that in everyone's situation ther are uncontrollable elements It save grea deal of ti re li ti es of ha thes e,
only
th
Do discussingher son's future
21
not
doing so ething abou thes things is an excellen us of your ti e) here re co tr ints everyo th free choice impossible in ll it tion yo re free to choo ch outsid factor ar controllin your life It in thos area have controL
here yo
do
Are You Clinging To The Past? Consider th case of on of clients, to salesmanwh as so succes fu sellin hi co pany's products that he as ro oted to le er ro in to ch le successfulin hi ne job, an ca to me in desperation His
hi self nd th ne necessit of tr inin salesmen to ll fo him.
an
otiv ting his
ALAN LAKEIN
22
if he
implement. more
is time
ward hi
ew re po ibil ties
back orde
tuatio
ul
be approa hi
chao
Or
be
Why De idin
So
if be
ifficult
evoted
energies
people unhappy. long-ter benefits
st tuti
th
ew procedur
If
to decide
tional
rational
emo-
by
if
his job and is sanity.
Making Decision
Are tain social decisions? Here ar some possibilities: 1) Habit.
out with them. 2) De ands of others
24
ALAN LAKEIN
be
to
3) Esca ism.
mi ht thin 4)
yo
re pres mp uo s. '1 ee
ik
is
slipping away." S)
Default.
Co ciou
"I av so much to all."
ere'
st ot no gh me fo
"I'm harassed overworked tired, tense. forever pushing pletely.'"
ecisio
seem
to
be
relax com-
THIs
is If
difficult situations
If
Teally Co tr
If
ar
fe ched plans,
th
layf
la in
lans nd seri
far-
ans.
by
ccasio al
ec al purpos
plan in is al ab If you only
oo
ndee
27
TR
ALAN LAKEIN
adequately.
Learning Fro sional photographer. sionally to
Proiessionals
The pictures of
view, or
his plan.
Out
several will smile. He will ri&htl pher.
Se Your Priorities Now?
than
conclude
nv
areful
nk
ec io -m in
he
al
forc
He shoots several many shots.
with. darkroom
is quit please
goes
sees
do to up exposure, etc., prints that he like particularly w e D . further carefu attention. ends up with prize-winnin photoarapb.. hese ar th 1ference et e. .' Ilocca fo al an er us fuzzy time planners too. his entirely He's effort. He
that
On
good will ak an fuzzy, m..
aspects 80
them.
his
and
with
family.
's IS
re
ea
into
by to "thlnking't=-which
to
A LA N
28 task of p1anninl
is
tlfhinking."
rn
The
to
have conclude
as "writins"
From. that it than as
abil ty to focu
at
ou ea ly co si er
mpor ant.
answers to lOme questions. Writin better decisions.
&ary,
L A 1 1 II '
call the time when
is all what and when and, if neces-
how.
set
you (1)
list
list, set In my
is by settin
with abou four
priorities. ).
Ba
AB teacher.
list
"f ow va e. As
with
lOme extent the value.
But up with the
you como list. the moat value.
to
You ae saving the
by
items,
down further
them be an
rough and if
all through.
gets
ia if
no satiI-
vestments.
31 ritten do inars.
thei li etim goal be or they came to my semyou:
goals?
YOUT
lifetime
5. What
ki ce
re your lifetimes goals'
eD the Dext three yean?
on of th
If you knew DO you woul he struck by Ughullog sis od mODths fro unfi then IT
SEEM
starts with is his
bu
TRITB
'v
ev
es hours, days an framewor at od ni is possible Whic is wh recommend yo star by defining your lifetime goals. I'll SOODget down to your mmute-by-minute problems of today. ut ight no ritten Li etim Goal Statemen iD help you ve yo nt el at is
e-al
ps
he
within this tota
yo time. It iD give directio to your life will in iD stick against whic to gaug alternat activities as they come along. You·ll be your life nd you'll reduce unnecessary conftict over ho to us your time. exercise in clairvoyance There' really ve
an
ei
ak
es
at
ou
hi
nt ou
em
ow
eren ex al ai as "travel, or "becomin
nd an he ow am ol cliche you've been tellin yourself fo years.
g- mi am
mi ap be au or os y. ey av ep de y, ou an ze em er ey ca alyzed. refined changed, updated and pondered. Al o, yo mo likely il discover goal that ar importan seriousl
ou
before This happen
becaus
riting equire yo
ug ur me ac ec of at yo writ down indicate priorities that migh surprise you. yo ha er do ou me oa the following exerci il help yo ge started. If thoughts usin this exercise
little involved in
abou it They feel it's overwhelming They clai out
ab
Your Lifetime Goal Exercise
it's embaran
What
er
(I identifyin lifetime goal yo should recogniz that yo believe each just what
his
30
xt righ no
e.
nt
ou
an from th perspectiv yo have today.
oa
ALAN LAlCBI
33
I11
ge you to tate accoun of personal family social career financial. community. an spiritua goals. Try to list as ~n-inclusive Try words down In minutes as ar not goals
't
ai
clud
on feel satisfie with erallevel. nt
ar
as etiremen home in
ere' ak an
this third
/1
live nt
goals
Question
When yo Jist lifetime goals an ou eflection yo probably nclude number of generalities uc as "happine s. "succe s, "achievement," "love, "makin cont ibutio to society. an th h'ke ou ca pin-poin your goals bette by co like to ch e" Again li your answer ck es an as minutes to missed the first time around on this question
by lightning then (This
er yo ca du on as um that everything relating to your deat ha been attend ed to. will, to th question houl conplot, ould live thes last si months.) cern it el it ho yo this question is
to
es ec
en at er ng Fo example, if yo diligently read books whil commuting an unspoken goal of continuing ed ar ad er ee en er et es ar can lifetime e o a I s .
Th Second Life im
question:
80
cheesecake taking th year off.buildin pounds by og uncensore fantasies
Th Th rd Lifetime Ques io
months an
ou migh continue to live the la
qu
si months as
ha would minu
if
you ck
lost in thinking abou this question-jus write. If you this poin withou writin answer to the three lifetime goal questions, go ac is an impo tant exerci e, an doin it will re ally benefi you.
orking Furthe
Al Th ee QU~stio1U
ow pend an additional tw minute minimu evie in an improvin your goal tatement in answering all three questions. Yo ma spen longer if yo wish lookin over all were an extensio of ue is desirable. Some people also find ques tion (the six-months question continuation of th previsharp departures from ns ec of he en al that thei time is limited. e. 't qu an av
34
ALAN LAXBIN
BT CO
.TI
35
YO
tr
I'm
time ut as ca ly happy in what I'm doing. and I'm going to eat, in si months I'll alI do all the thinp I'
ti ue alon
before
I'
no he portant.
are as well be in or er
real
If you
keep in adjusted tid Infinitum. carved on marble tablets. you are
do,"
individual.
th realit
he
(fam If ca tant. Even done in
of
re-
pa er no
im-
time),
can
now. Next turn.
if
be ritten
are
will.
't ac
to
time crea es
al co fi cts.
in. This
is
have alread
prepared
RowtoSdLH~ePrioriti~
each. If
to resolv
try
such conflicts,
o R e
in goals.
of these A-3. Do the on hs ist.
min-
three-yea.rs
important is Iist,
three
Goal
im-
Confticts
e.• finished
preliminar
in this time.
really knew all along
might go
in order: Lifetime
ALAN LAKEI
Just
effect,
Life im
al
St te en
You won't ge pretime around That's just Si ce th fetime Goals be revise periodically aood
on
an grow.
TIm
it should
LIFETIME
GOAL
STATEMEN
if you snapped the as you
It helps
yo
ac ie ou Yo cannot do
ng-ter oals goal Lo g-term
can
anning an
talking to
goal-set in
are
all
short-term plan will contribute spec fied lo g-term an
to
If
yourself tonight. is
trivial. (1
now.
to elec th
os ef ecti
38
ALAN LAKEIN
In listin
activities
39
be and done.
be moking fo twen y- ou Now you're
If yo
ho rs
attemp
choices.
can. This be
av
indoors in the gym
me ut re usef ne
be ready his studies. Preparin
im-
game is an A~ ct it league ballplayer.
to ar
his
in
to
LA
40
L AK EJ N
ex
ee
It
If
him, in
interviews
week.
If
reading
his A-activity.
an
when will
Eliminat Low.Priority Task If
eliminatin
low-priority
items.
to start is
if ne th
even days If
If
-ac-
the
activity
most.
In he si teen
42
ALAN LAlCI!IN
inutes to work to ar fulfilling an importan lifeti Ho abou starting now?
goal
enta to good ti anagement. Fo quic review here ar the essentia points: l) List possibl long-term goals; (2 set priorities fo no an identify A-goals; (3 list possible ac tivities fo A-goals; (4 se priorities an identify A-activities scheduled.
overwhel ed before yo ay feel doubly so ow th yo lready dd th -a ti itie fo ow to whatever else yo have been doin already. Presumably yo to do everythi yo di efor th di es still A-activitiesyou identifiedin the previous chapter). this dile pu your lifeti
goal
bvio
ly yo ee ti fo es enti ctivitie ch le ing, hile th ou of ti ou llobe variable there ar inimu necessary for normal functioning Unles you are independently wealthy
eati
bring in oney fo food clothing nd housing. hi eans dres ing, groo g, co ti g, bein th job- ll necessar an al ti e-consuming. in th orning readin th orning paper, openin th ail, goin ekly taff ee ings ee in yo rk re or derly, atchin television washin dishes chauffeurina th children Th routin tasks ar determined by your position in an organization fa il ties civi responsibilities social obligations, an th like Essentia activities an routin task ar everyday otions fact they ca
lifeI
rtic larl
enjoyed.
te
ou
43
easily pree pt your
di cu io
he re lize
th
OW TO GE
44
CO TROL OF
OU
TIME ANDYOURLIP
"Who's Go Time fo Planning?" memake s,
also
very hard
is your choice be
ular basis as
made
night success with hi firs
oo
to
loved to
as committe
"IV ok
rece ed
an
in itatio
plan and
to
in
A's.,
months in advance
day
too
to anyway.
by com-
Yes,
Unexpected tum
ar-
up
five time
to
him. yes-
priorities clearl
as
in
can time goal But
It all depends
action.
in th evening.
ALAN LAKEIN
46
ey nd
co
ce
all
ek
nc
of
cl
an
oe
ak
ns tact fo th high valu ch
he
ex co
ou
adjustment must be made.)
As hard this
ne
mi
em
grad
nc
puttin firs things first. Tr blocking A-time horizontally on
weekly calendar-a
10:30 A.M. ou ca al bloc vertically do th page--sa reservin Wednesda afternoo from 2- P.M. or this week' A-project
an wrot "busy" alongsid
Li etim Goal li an identify pecifi ay ve he ar he me efor kfas nd
me
befor anyon im-
A.M.,
portan activity-planning
ou ca
ay pl in fifteen minutes early 88 in-
ck
al
esul ar al mo ge es feres. Planning kept them focuse on th importan things of ce ex
at
's
·activitie al ac
all
th Tuesda
nights When sh
ca do es
to spend I've read articles in management literature suggesting that
up
eek, planning th followin week's projects in
genera
ay
all
up
waste
ur
el
ut
week. etable to help balanc your diet It ng
em as ch ng ng he just availabl al th things yo must do meetings appointments deadlines. w a n t to is
ha to change On gn
et
el
he cr mm at
an
ep ai
co en
nd
of
crea et
to atch your time selectively, ke ng cu bl ou consumin an inordinate amount of time
ALA
In my experience people wh
try to
LAQIN
RO
repor every1hin find
TO GE
er
CO TROL OF
OU
TIME
pr
co ce
influencin th of value.
ay yo do
particular task
midnight. If yo el
P.M.
cl ab
P.M.
yo
to
yo
't
an
or ke
Remember: There is th1n~. want to au bu becaus they think in scheduling.
bu yo
al
e,
an
to
do. an
an er by ca
ki
both conserve an
generate energy It conserve energy by
rote. It
ergy
en
er as
to
ou
ha
meeting-aD at
ab
xp
particular time
Another very mp ct he is "prime" time. InterntJ prim time mo ning afternoon, or evening. iB the te ol im ti with in your job, your social li e, an at home
projects,
et this is usuall th time er routin mail ge yesterday'
routin task fo non-prim hours. kids
madl making beds wa hing dishes doin th laundry. pick all
do want to schedule
ou
ha
as nt they read th newspaper, an
and
10 A.M.
P.M.?
concentratio really is best during thos hours. ve nt change. If an ou an er al everybod else does an stop workin overtime star schedulee en am ch golf no gh vi ct ou nt need an complicate time-accountin to get ch usek pi ot no
best. A.M.
changes.
believ that reco dkeeping fo sake of recordkeepin ha very
49
URLIFE
er
ce nt
candlemaking do
he ho
:30
at if
part-tim income-producing projec sh en nd too ti ed afte he chores all
all
enough time fo candlemaking As
ck
Th simple change of reve sing he candlemaking an houseea ct et ed candlemakin project ug velopments in hi fiel an
na ub at on or ec de completing routin administrative in reverse.
er
cr
ar
hi
b.
ALAN LAKF.I
ET
to anticipate specifics, ther
will be interruption
will
co mi ed
me
av
es in
sc ed Try
fo re
er
will feel less franti abou interruption an distractions Rigidity in se ti fo in dema in ch ul it be
school.
an
in othe things
Fo Effectiv Scheduling-Sta ay
ri e.
you fill
Loos
starts
HO
TO GE
CO TROL OF
OU
hiIS
TIME AN
l
OU
53
LIP}
h
so he it
to
Can MANY
or
ef ecti el
if
quit
PEOPLE.
is
thei
rk
Ge Mo fi
im
Do
Do if
to
No rrange thin will
So
jobs.
as scheduled with in be
ike
to
too to
ect
chess, readin
Scientifi
at
American, him
he
do ng as
as el xing sitt n& qu et
nd
aydreaml g,
be~
him
doing
time to have fun more fun.
he fact
nO
him to work
S5
54 bu
refreshed.
In
seriou
be carrie
ex remes,
cially hard to find any
in
trouble.
seeing ri nd homemakers.
If
firm
in
firm
date with relaxe If affect
atmosphere
pier if to
Th Homemaker' Specia Proble on Tuesdays it
d.
right now. P.M.
to find dinner
in
LA
mo
AK IN
ak or ni importan goals.
os
th
Your Transition
If
im
considered moving closer In most ca es this is no practical, ment. If you' profes iona person ho us ce nd ut commut on th free ay
me yo us ke time that isoften overlooked is what call "transitio time."
to fi teen minute
abou orking ou ha or ymin-
If
uses th time only to do es entlals=-eat
sible.
tridge tape on educationa subjects ar becoming available, ou mi ea gn ua es re-
desk.
ducing this transition time If time you'll have alon an undisturbed. an
co
de
os
ag
en
ec
ue
ar
pl
payment is ng en before that temporar fillin fall out? ar ed
spea
pa er
play
whatever.
:3
om
hile having On creative manager, realizin
gi
nt ng
g,
ea
OJ:"
mo
op
or an
en nc
pe al ei ki cheese an that's it. ch me er
ad
ca
at
al an
an et
nt
en es av
ca ot
on
if
have th ball roIling.
that event, if tiveness th rest
this is swim
genera merchandisin ed
manager. ecentl he
this,
ul
promoted no
be
ab
the run.
having di ficult concentratin on importan matters. ce hi at needed it-dow lunc to restore his energy an inne calm colleagues,
ng with this velope th practice of aoin to lunc occasion. Bu graduall
he also lunche
him or w h e n el ad of er those quick back-and-forth requests. not
59
ALAN LAKBIN
58
to
might
this
ou talk about.
at
If
an
an
certain de-
it
it le s, they ofte
him important
eat
an
ca
ee
adjust-
pa te ns usuall ar ve if yo ys ay er ap ou th followin day.
di ferent from ca ed ha ou
eekday habits ha ou
nd
If
your subcon ciou
orks
hile
problems Here's how:
bus,
might goal of
readin th classics Mo of them ar availabl in paperback. always feel like readin Do Quixot as you nice to have th option Waiting time can also help solv
that particularly tricky yo at work. Think it through by step.
sequentially Fll'St, try 'Then. if be thoroughly explored in. say, iv minutes.
ph
If
asleep As your dreams ho
at
es
in no difference in health or efficiency
social
with all is subordiask them him for on to support
ar is
differen person
TilM
et
ea
Yo
might
probably
yo
co
ve
or on
have ried this method have foun it uccess ul Bu keep yo awake, by al mean fo ge it
jo that is no satisfying mark time
you're impl
if
it only
orking to brin in
LlPB
ALAN LAKEIN
ev
ee
is
eg
to
ag breeding killifish Proba-
spec of dust from th house---Parkinson' La theoreticall doesn' apply; ther is always enough work practice, cerin the
ci
done as th architec
about his ec rica. These fish them succes full
to
ed
an
Af-
for his hobby. Hawthorne is
be aCCOm-
fill the
time available, becaus yo need to fill home if
in hi second-floor apartment, quit differ
mentione earlie learned.
quickly. If yo to atis
to
ed
him
will
co al ow your pe sona priorities of eading book rit-
switchboard, th servic counter, or th receptio desk
Making he Most Out of One
alem as ac et four novels includin th classi Th Scarle Letter
Spar Minute
if
nd time.
allo in
he
av
ev
ec
to
to make good
to do eading
by
iting, crocheting or whatever
as if
certai
nt
they
amount of psychologica aggravation. It isn't surpristo fill
personal things In "limitless jobs wher ther ar trul an endless.numbe of things as creating advert sing be done -suc co ed as
up
A-activit fo each special-emphasis goal et's sa your ifetim goal includ ntel ectual developimprovin your intellect.
special-emphasis goal migh be to
It
everal time du in th day.
en
ce
an
ac
es
62
ALAN LAKEIN
applied to Saturday an Sunday only In eight very pleasant social evenings or afternoons goin out to di ay or et politiCL in wlnl yo ing dinner or slum." ev ai an per.. 80n to answer th telephone. er again, if yo keep in mind your adde apeclal-emphaais goal of fittin in some exercIIe, you will fin man opportunities during realize Work apeclal-emphuis goals. be developed factor IUpeJintendent ca penonaJly quality of one ftniahed automobile by driving it home directly productio line. freelance )oumaIiIt least three stor idea every thole think of couple of extra thing to do. An office anqe ca tate minute to become more friendly an lear different employee each day. All these activities can be when you special~hasis is program suggesting no the time to ak dort toward realizing particular goal. -activitie on peclal emphui goal Not only ar thes practical step also teO yourself coming closer to your lifetime goals by rememberiq what you want to do-end dolDg It. ou don' want you speclal-emphasis goals to be out of mind becauae they'r ou of liaht. letter
88 aJip it about putting up sign? suggeste to on client that he put little sign on is desk where 0 D 1 y said, too Iongor He had admitted generaUy did talk to long Puttin this remindto er by is ee elpe to reduce Ilia overlong telephone calIa. homemaker trying least amount of dustin an homemaking po sibl this week put good time." sayiDJ, "Get ou of the kitchen and ha
to be kidding
OF PRIORITIES TIm MAIN SECRET
ev hs esea delvin into better time use.
di co en firs started aske successful people what an earl discussion with vice-president of Standard Oil Compan of California ho said pa se over that ui us ec at importance ai large city time-managemen seminar. Whil wa ther with bu es ho ct an
ur ng
om
es
ad hi
dozen othe
"Oh,
List." ut this was list considered it game.
it
out his
the
en
or ng
ne
whic ever single item as crosse ofI ares
go ca
ge
ed ns or
er
er ore.
ec
un
en day in miss"
ms on his list done during his
he ni
ht
his "bingo card
64 an
LA
to successfu
again
government
65
businessmen
the To Do List came
administrators
TFE
"DIN
had
priority list of things to do. VutuaDy ev-
as
things to do every day. arranged the items made up it as comin priority order, an cros ed off e a c h things pleted. to do every re lot of To Do List have some particuth ng they want to remember to ad ti ht deadline.
Only People
do except onal vent Are hi yo might will people have differen solutions.
Daily LIst WiD Do
top
Do
us
at he peop make better
secreta of gettina ay keep it visible, an
is that
To Do list
to
time; us it real To Do List every fa to mate us it to action as ui is such
Because
Ding tool.
those items
want to
fundamen al
it.
timeo-pIan-
the
then
work;
items
to you;
rewrite the list at the the hard to read. One of the secrets to success Is to
it becomea
ri all your '1'0 Do" ep to ether, rather than of. paper. You list in yom appointment boot. One pad on his desk reserved for his to
jotting down items may want to
Do List
pocket in it
with her. Anothe
80
homemake
she can keep as
buys
withalways
1ists she made. than sh
asily,
ho ou
gges sh rt cuts yo 'd
er ok
If
ci io ties.
dete mine
chance
is se priori
ALAN LAKEIN
ec
then
es
olis
67
is
office
of th li
et
ccordi gly.
or er
ers, an
ed im or ex le et io es
io itie is in
ed
ho em
ewly
ofession
oi te
eo le
he if
peoto tu
in
ti
ay quickly.
fo
is
fo
ti
ie te
er in yo
to decide, th la ll
in-box doin
er
to
ee
because he ha If
do
th
os im orta
ti itie
hi li t.
lo
ds is
Don' Worr abou Completing Your List drop in
ents os of th ol
's
ff yo
li
enti ely.
all the
C's, leti
th
ti
list in yo
to your list items is finishing
nd
li
er
es
ines
it ec to-
ep
it
eren
in
AL
68
L AK EI N
to merchandis your products better Th salesman wh continuall upgrades hi customer find C.
c:
cc 50 account. He upgraded hi bu ines this wa by conscien unit us er co an mo of ou ve 0, SO gradually he
A SK S B E
C.
er es ea an as on ow prospect or cu tomer. my experience most sale me coul be~e:fitsubstant~ally by arbitraril weedin ou 20 percen of thei customer term of presen an potentia volume
pJayin them So yo practice more an mo
to continue di ficultpiece
,,:oul likely. be mi ke be me mo pr Cle?t 10 playin pa sage th become playin th pa sage at Its correct tempo In earnin an applying time us skills it ut
work (to et es
ee
reso te nt
tivities
them inefficiently Resorting to de k-neatenin
to
E R E F U ND ON E to poking hrough routin ec ou ou et nt c-
an turnin ou gobs of trivia temporary satisfaction than tackling an. importan bu perhap frustratin high-value task e, ne e~ es ul el to Far e~ el aC es co er a. ut becaus it's.suc an easy thina results show immediately, yo migh very el spen an extr fe minute unnecessaril neatenin your desk when perhap th thina to an
in department 73
er
ne
em
ee
ol
in
be-
ca
even to thin
skill
agam, be
perfectionis abou
urge to do most importan COs?
particupl acturing
ow
is
he ca do namely catching th flight to ge bogged On reason is
cl e: et co ee on de ne higbly competitiv product; diaperin
u.. baby
cooking findin something else to do it your evenings be sides watchin television Th homemake ho collects anothe delicious- oundin ecip when sh ha iv hundre untrie clipping is giving in is trul wastin
70
OW TO GE
she
collecting Sh wastes he time clipping Instead
meals
CO TROL OP
OU TIME AN
gest to yo th following: th 80/2 all
OU
71
LIFE
rule
to
el into thinking that sh is making hersel better cook. but th trut is that he is clipping rather than cooking. ul no expect to do A-activities perfectl th first unknown,
which whether calculated or not, will unsuccessful outcome An
risks,
ometimes brin
on
reconcilin view of people wh can' or won' agree. With all thes things goin agains executin bard A-I. yo look ar un et yo an is er do well? is clea up aD the things are clearin them easy justify will to er ve et up er 't all
more important
to
to
It becomes be-
and
There is
certain luxuriou feeling that comes from doin involved Sinc yo know can waste gain well, starting somethin easy an finishin it crossing an item of your list,
to your out-box. ut don' ki yourself it's becaus you're doin all to do not your A's.
erce
's time es
en
/2
Rale
eo
examples draw
is
er em
from everyday life
houl enable
value tasks,
tasks:
80 pe cent en erce 80 pe cent 80 percen
of sale come ro 20 percen of cu tomers of on en ct of ck ve is taken by 20 percen of employee of il usag is in 20 percen of file of dinner epea 20 pe cent of ecipes areas that is is highly used ce ar is en en he pe meat an grocer item is
wardrobe that is well-used items 1V time is most popula with the family pages in th newspape (front page spor page editorials columnists, feature page)
restaurants ar ve
me
will
items. Thes
callers
Th
of
little less, sometimes you find th 80/2 rule iscorrect. think will in will be A,
is
ed co 20 pe cent
he
th high valu is
73
LIFB
ALAN LA EI
art.
talk to nim's
tures.
all organizations,
much or co ci nt ou ab ut et in future engagements. It took him
ri ri ie
people
in accepting cal club.
ment
an
scov re
his
that,
il
so
to Alaska,
ld By
ve
Do C's
an electora
on.
do?" Think
ajorit
to
C,"
don',
the election handsomely. It
to
all thes
activ's
about.
TO
ALAN LAKEJN
74
ia
wilt
ga stat
av
75
TR
le
it in twenty-t
mile
un er ear.
in it
If
not
If
it is
If in
Become
velo
nt
Crisis
C?" If
it.
ri es if it
e.
If yo
As
alread
76
or
is
letters. If it
if
ee
people's tras cans to ge id of your junk.
to
on
do
If
on paperwor
drawer wher sh dumped curren mail note
th kitche into
pape
or
place, usin th kitche drawer
school chedules notice of meetings an appointments lette to be an ered coupons, announcement of department tore ales bill an chec tubs magazine-subscriptio no birthday cards,
e,
ng
cy
ck ar he foun th letter he wanted Simila ly at th beginnin of ed ay er er el answerin importan mail becaus sh dreade th search ca ug
answered letter read an
he like
er to save make-u nc
he inal
ed
suggested an
manufacturer he bought from., advertisin an promotio idea ro hi advertisin agency loca pape an adio staea chandis an salespeople's skills couldn't quit ap
decide What to on
as overwhelming him. by uggestin that each
his proble
ci es et ideas, titche projects
all
go he accumulation iled
and, if
an te s" folder an begi at once
ct
em
many
ork. Ofte he woul e.
ther
as time
78
LAN LAKEIN'
No
HO
TO GE
CO TROL OP
OU
79
TIMB ANDYOURLIFB
mail.
surprisingly
per-
Ho
Ke
To
wo
work.
This to
Next Th Wastebaske
to
folder with folder in
in. (You
of the
di-
rectly.
Septem er
1- ."
ri t-ha
ra er
it
his bo to
stuff
in
recycled to he
id le dr we
in-
ak
ho oc
if
co struct
in rack
is cl pp ng ab be
et er that accomp ishe
hi
urpose
Only Once With Feeling!
80
HO
It is
TO GE
CO TROL OF
OU TIME AN
OU
LIFE
most profitably if
in your
mind. In
Coping with Informatio
Overload
recomplete. decisions
while.
is
is
what is
think
if
"Try to handle
project it represents." If smallest step counts Fo xample ne exec iv and think, myself to
particular discipline There is decide is
might
is not is
ri ri
ne
aper
y.
ecretary always will
revision.
he
gn fica tl
crea
it
al e.
Readin Book Like Newspapers If
in
with it
ld
ro ab
inin be
work. On
im drafts ou
as
If 30mething
The likely to
Ex ec
with
to
ne er
av even ee it re ou ly
82
ALAN LAKEIN
bo he consider mo
by readin th "headac ub et significant. Then glance throug th book
yo el or an ul to read newspaper ne ny en ugge ts an approach to readin them The author starts with es nt ey in couple
will have for-
ater eference On doctor high with ea yo
ho ormerl ha hi officepiled his desk
ee uncomfortabl
abou th
eeming superficiality
ap
writing. He develops this then expand th idea into enough page to il his book. ve in if ge ea an
ay nd enjoyabl becaus you'
no
ar gi
get-
ec able to read more in lesstime
Try Speed-Reading? an
will
in
er
in manage to maintain much increase in thei
surprisingl shor time
crea
in
an inve tmen of everal hours' time
even if If
what yo recalled an considered ew en ce remembering.
eading peed yo have
ec
you'll will repa
ea
faster.
able to maintain higher read ng speed. think othe wo ds cu ou th C·readin that is unsati fy us ex
ve
orth pa sing on er only em e, av is os
time read ng
ct ve ut at ad If yo 's you' find more time fo th 's
pend less
if efficiency were ou
mo paper-readin
method to ev ew uc book an
efresh your in
efficien
is
only
ay to do somethin is no necessaril th be ea spen time together
HO
TO GE
CO TROL OF
OU TIME AN
85
OU LIPS
Lear to Say "No"
OM
SOMETIMES others unhappy. all
op
OD
OU
verybody like attention.
Sometime th best solution is
ivin each per-
to
ai
nd everybod know ho
If
all
es yo
If
If
hard that is. el et
ol
will
apologiz to yo fo intrudin on your ime.
gruntled. If
most of he time on othe people's priorities
be
saying priorities Perhap he troubl stemme ne ha al ys
he
looked
I~
ones business fo good
As
is
othe people's 's at th expens of your own. an ev ev on quences if is
ei
d,
he If th
po
person
al
at nt pe be
d.
er
ho
on
ea za
from childhood. ac an ea ed
ce av at
er
oi er ng
ve ge nt if de
he solv he problem. ayin "No. Th admini trativ
assistan
ho vows to fulfill
lr ca
ve
ar ed
is slm-
86
TR
pl poor ethics poor business poor personal relations. an it ca make life harder fo everyone in th future
ompr mi es th
nd
assessment of th priorities if ca ea he em an be idea. his
or
't
ay ca op an mp flee you ow prioritie if you loo fo compromises perfection. If able look fo short-cuts If
ur
xp
ou ac
nd
eres
el
ou he ai es be handle with greate speed. nother olutio to conflictin priori ie hi A, your C) is discussion. If it your hu band an li ting your espectiv househol du nt ec uc un ea your ci try
's
e. or
ha in
co
nd
ha
racken ha
in
u'
cc
ad to
Time-Sharing
quickly-mad skir instead.
ar ol
A.
ac d,
an be of time-consuming C' by simple exchange
ed If your daugh-
party, propos
try
ed
pecial ru
ve
al
If Mr. job, it gets immediat attention. If
can' sati fy both demands. Bu sh ca
et he ow priorities
supervisor fo decision ime- ha ing, as fairness ca be particularly mportant to children. wh will ch
en
e. turn; if to
arol
av hy ca
at 's
nd
's
os
ch
un
ex
d'
he elde t.
ef time each chil receives fiftee minute of undivide parental
88
And if
be
to be gracious.
ime.
12
OR SO YO ca
O UR S
HAVE
really concentrate?
As
if
all
It
nate.
thes
idea instead:
89
90
ALA
urag before, if
bo
ar
ab
LAKEIN
as
If If th
ituation
ar call the
dependin on you. Mr Jack on's ca presente no grea problem. orke ut ch nt hree he ed ay 0, 1: nd 30 to save all busine fo thos times, except fo th most urgent
CO TROL OF YOURTIM
91
ANDYOU LIFE
differen pattern. Ever tw minute or so he wa interrupte by on of hi many staf members. is solution as to eorganize delegate more responsibility to hi supe vi ors, an en urag pl es oo up qu es bl ed ee af et ca formatio
to interrup Mr Jackso unless convinced his missio as an A-item. he othe subordinat presente di ferent problem. This man, Anderson wa insecure in hi orde ct he needed cont nual eassurance that he as doin everything of lo -priorit
(vague bu urgent-sounding) matter right away. Also Anderpe en un ma ec own. in iste on dronin throug al th detail even when ac ee ak ho
equiring coordination with others Mr Fran
routin matters, sinc lack of informatio essary interruption of hi work
Whe
bein
trea
TO GE
challenging.
your bo (o client giving unnece sary priority to ta ks that ul be de at an ed d, as an migh yo poin this ou tactfully? yo have in effect traine hi to ab or el at ot to
BO
also staff on wa creating unnec-
b e I n e rr up te r is
Four-Year·Old
constantly interrupte by he our-year-old daughter da es an me ni he m, do nd
Mommy' lap. av
he
isappointed, Ms ones consoled hersel it nd ou us ed ot on er ma ye nd
at
he el s. Jone finall decide Melind coul be just as justed if
ell-ad
On
ck
ad
er
nt
to
hu
hi feelings by tellin
more creative mother
cide that Anderson's miIquetoastish ways ou
da
as
mi ed ay
he
el
nt
LA
92
93
LA EI
get any
By
in as
one.
tion.
ontact Time vs Thinking Time If
your if
inki
the
role to ea h.
subordinate
by
The truth
no ed
ve
Interrup-
as
if my
rk
one?
func-
way?
re-
coul
work withou interruption
ac
95
94
Time.
try
ersby.
ment period tions? If
sage.
If
nal.
to
ute?"-type question
usuall
min-
go hi attention.
30:'
yo
ration's headquarters
building.)
ow To
andl th Sociable
too.
TO
ET
oo an
er
'S LI
TI
LS
me ar
sk Lakein
al able
lan-
ming
ha
becoming
ue io ."
he firs
d.
uestio Al th
ime!
TA
is an xtre el
akein' of my
97
.TI
ak in's
estion
it It's called "ask
he
distracted
ay reamin
ab
is
tert ti
nece sary in the
esir bl
Are
next ear'
acat on
Po
he
es on
Or
in
Ask
tom
If
that;
your
As mistake
Even if
is
be
on the A-I?
once. Like all
in 96
LA
98
RO
LAKEIN
IM
with
him
'r
stil hung up on last week's details. It happens.
If worth continIf If
about to
its completion
minimu
Th
per-
80/20
to
value.
Whe Perfectionis Helpsnd he Doesn't last
fa rite
roceri s,
20 percen
ns op in
of
sink, remember-
pl gged-u
ironing
waste
in some carried
ide.
to to
to
also get accordingly. If
effort,
to
If
ben.
it in the Suppose the
again.
it. Bu pretty s oo n • •
ri t!
it,
Lakein's Ques io
HO
TO GE
CO TROL OF
av
WHILE
CAREFULL
THOUGHT-OUT
it's used.
ig
ou'v
in
star ng
in
he ig -pri rity
feels
tems
zeroed in in
in
ou icke th
10
or ec A-1?
plan with well-defined
if
to
OU TIME ANDYOUR LIPB
is
102 ee
LA
ra in
account.
su or nate
he
103
L AK BI N
his routine
to
to ways to st
to
ar ed in
rocrasti at
on
CAUTION:
So
valid, to
on be
le bl
A-I.
ette fits tunities, an make sure ha
the pro-
is
an
adaptable.
A~l.
ou A-
select
and do it now.
A-I
Procrastination A-I on that A.l,
Instead, What in th worl
ing A-Is" an Overwhelming
ar stil not at
is wrong with you? being
aD..
"Overwhelm-
an
"Unpleasan
A~1s." A-I because it seems time-consuming (such as ashi al th
house,
min-
in ow
too
rede or t-
vaC's
your business to retire, trip ar nd th orld). An npleasant A~1, on the asto avoid it sociat n, hich is usually emotiona (disciplinin an ployee admittin mistake, pres ntin with your boss he ur sban very expensive These tw categories are mutually excl si e. yb dy uncan think of activities that pleasant Still, th distinctio remain useful in part becallae the strategies far dealing with each are different. The next
LA
8J to be~ 'r
ra he
the
bu eminentl Is
fift
hour
L AK EI N
satisfying
A-I compet .. that
to
involvefl-
to
ment. So if try.
rush,
If
is to tum
A-I
in
list
Here
im-
him. 'v
106
ALAN LAKBIN
If
RO
TO GE
o, no
CO TR
OF
OU TI
day. Mayb
morr w.
os ibly eigh
inutes
AN
OU LIFE
107
fo five minutes!
in,
even
try it too,
cold.
it real
al
at
er helm g?
in. in. You
An
hill ater in your tum
doesn'
matter
in If
second five If
108
ALAN LAKEIN
FO but
have be om
Do Mo
in ol ed in
INSTAN
INVOLVEMEN
De ne
ni
Pl
So Y OU 'R E H AV IN G T RO UB L If
rocras inatin
ou'r
in
As
-l On
foll w.
rememb r:
Plan in
is reall
decision-making.
in
as
nt
ma er more do-a
activi ie
to
fix in-
volved. If If."
could if
It unblocks
110
ALAN LAKEIN
111
do
is wi
worry if
each successi
ppeara ce of an ob ec
will
in
and TV is
If
is
G e t M o r I nf or m at io n Sometimes ackyar
be om
ft
Bu
try.
in ol ed
ha
is
informat on
ac on
esti ns abou
an in tant task
abou before-and ergy.
fa ilia
an ma
at ea
it's ei ur ly
ct it
nv lvement.
ha
equire
ttle en
ALAN
112
Try
]13
LAKEIN
Leadin Ta
himsel drivin pa
If he ti foun
an em ty enni cour
ithout topping,
With this constant stimulus--or anti if he's really erious abou
this
"leading task becaus
An
be covered. Bu port is suppos even this eems to uc to tackle Try sharpening pencil I' no joking Involvemen will no necessaril ensue,
again.
as
'l il have gotten tarted an at leas give to continue
im el
he chance
with your
is Try
es
your deskto
up An
is
brushing hi teeth! rna.
(suc as expens accounts cocktail-party invita Playboy).
tum
mined; betwee leanin
if
lace your el in
If
or ar in
itbi thes
attern
chai an ou ca
eing aler be ea yourself on
If If
Show
to
rien an say, I've finall
tarted
th s!
tretch du in an evening' eading ou ar less ikel to al asleep on ciou ly look or oppo tunities to se thes inds find them Stil anothe useful leadin ta
ar
If
bounce
nder playin te ni
as us
drea
or hirnl
is to select th
ight chan
tum your
tI5
IN
114
ea
even if yo don' have anything to say. ct ay
radually
ha
an
el Try
e,
er
an
al
physical action does indeed lead to meaningfu involvement.
Ta
Ad
Y ou r C u r
Mo
ne reason wh people have difficulty gettin involved in thei -I is that it ofte requires doin omething they'r no et ng
ea
offices.
an
people become stockbrokers in pa
Rationally this coul be sati fied by callin on prospect an ke
tum If
he de do he everse twis of this-leading to procra tination rather
brokerag
star typing somethin connecte with th A-I.
go
ed
friendly bent at
es
an an ok
os ab
an women. es ve od es ef al pa quietly. hi is legitimate emotiona need ofte sati fied by processing ou in paperwork, emptying th in-box or neat en es If yo detect that 'r et ca
an
al
's
ak
at
though th memo really need no furthe polishing. rather ha do ng somethin rivial on th -I1" My emphatic answer to this question is "No! cras If ar es ct some you're involved your sens of priorities wit) lead yo eventu
turn
at er chance to become involved
ALAN LAKEtN
116
117
Tl
reason:
fi
"I
willing anything
ap ea ng
oo ball ea
at ha ftime,
migh
nter stin
ry elli
try."
or at east to erab e?
Thes slogan feelings.
will
it. have do
Mak tell
is
oo
es ment ful stimul
jectiv es imat of he ro ab li So remember If you feel
ucce s.
19).
C om m i m e
urse f, tT
with ti at
to
if
Of Delay, Chapte
indeed
S om e
ourseH
ALAN LAKEIN
118
is
good nducement. If
vague. Bu if away meetin is
en
er
en ea
et
em
16 KEE
more involvemen than you've mustered up to now. Meet ng ar on of th greate ti e- as er ever nvent-
do
di hes, cleaning th asht ays, vacuumin
INVOLVED
begin- ashing th he rug-yo pe se all
needed oing he ouldn' have called th meetin in th firs place. os ee ings co abou ecau omeone cannot do th .I easi or by himself. athe than ea in importan prob upergian
orporation of th membersh
thinking abou th 'v
ho n, yo ca
commit ee of th gets someone -I pr blem It migh be an in tant ta to sually do
ot better yourself
will reimburs you. Most task ar sufficiently shor or compelling 80 that even if
your initia involvemen ca ries yo quickl back
th hear
agai unti yo have ea th la page
As
with
anothe
decent idea Or
ou'v
been addres in enve finish by P.M. but
to
code. is
Ho yo ca possibly stay involved an longer On answer is: Always ec whethe you've complete that step
LA
12
12
L AX EI N
native merely "t
sp ce of if "; t' an esse ia in re ient
in His ronment. response
in
ar
pr cr stinatio
in-
monitored.
is
in
If
right stimulus change
in
is psychologica deterioration. If stimulus change is
rapi
If you've
to
shift in the
him to the has nher ed this io ogical ra
dar. But if
be
in
'r im
ee
an
vitation
within if ou'r
en
TR
12 writlng
chan an in
in
involve-
em t.
Th
some opportuTry
12
in interest an
ment.
fres ai or fres in As showed in
ie
LI
ac ro ec lo atio So et me
ew
If yo 'v
rr ee
ushi
That
ve
gs rk
ot
ad
it
try
If
down, try in en iv
fr
co ec
ig st
acti
No Enough In onna io --or
ou se
re re ei ed
To
uch?
in-
crease your knowledge. fore starting
or
e, nd fi al
nd ec no
ad
er ch ce
eedl po
124
A LA N L AK EI N
It must
A+l.
in fine style.
certai ly went as ra IN
SOM
SITIJATIONS,
in
ex mple
keep involved
othe
activity instead.
plea an
as
gets
some
to is made quickly,
is
it Bu
ou hesitate
(l
some
to do this
126
ALAN LAKEIN
127 If
om
First, yo pi such
mu
nt
co
hi ze cl u' at
ewh
ve
ac
you're ~t
it. It will be
slow do
ch ce
your
ns er opportunity not
th fina decision
quic
deci io
to
tendency to procrastinate. Take enough ca every
W h e n yo catc your el puttin th letter aside, slow your hand down If you take S~ or orma ke you'll on ho ab er 'l ve ug me to review wh you've been puttin th letter aside, an try to procrastination.
course like? childhoo yo parent insisted at en ug as me 7: P.M., kids were till outsid playin Hide and-Seek On Apri IS ed om ch ck Uncle Sam, ha
ct
in
endless. it
gl
oa vi
A-I:
(1 Deal with th unpleasantnes directly. (2) Recogniz th greate unpleasantness that result from
delay.
(3)
Cr at
nthu ia
that counterbalan
to
consciou an deliberate choice
ve ve ou go
to
antness.
ment yo ar poised at th top, uncommitted. this
thin else instead, tell yourself quit emphatically that you're at Decision ime. Remind yourself what an importan time it ut n. eth ay
Jist is
de
three in yo at
ol ve yo
ca
in
hi
ve
th
em
unpleas-
p-
TO
ET
TR
tually be
as
How
MAN
rs lf
12
talk witlb.
His
IN
LIFB
at am
is
TIMES
too muc
responsibility
develo
contacts with
to
in
in
in
ou
th
msel
as
im
his problem et professi na
as comp et d. ales execut ve enti ne
go
el
might tum earl er
ep
rocras inat ng
to hi workload if he
er
ucce ful. His his other
with
Ho
to Extinguish Fear
to In
fear ha if
130
131
ALAN LAKEIN
ow to ontain
ar
linel" .A
it,
th ng ik th s:
his desk his
n.
If he in-
Juno:
• •
FEAR:
be
Catch·22,
JUDO:
CI
to
if
th
in, an
number P.M.,
ing up
fo
da
al away
iII-
upthat
13
13
if
straight.
ters
B aD oo n n g Y o u
as
F ea r
is years to reduce his
If
now. Mr.
examples
in
try
as
try extinguishing,
again.
it is
containing
judoing,
13
anec-
Ro WHEN
th Proble
Escalate
DECISlON TIME very
in
gift
written. in fact,
sweater. It very much."
writte
the un-
note
sion Time Sh ld
he
is Deci(1
al wast sweater?
(2
eI
Delay?
"Everytime
will
134
in
136
ALAN LAKEIN
13
emo-
it.
crastination
in
Take follow.
over
You are real
an
am going
tuatio s,
he fo lo in
tens an
uideli es
re gene al
an
ay
in true.
as time passes (as it.
't
Consider th Risks
to
be filed" stack,
er ou
to
lay?" vari
then fe
is
er
expires,
line ther
fi ferent.
id et
ec io
is
to
is dif-
his pro.
If
138
IN
gain
139 at
If
A.M.
like
is do
el xe
Do
well
Do yo if
in-c tr -o -t e- tuatio
experience last-minut appr ach?
your
most important. If
in the
rial only
more
is off? Do fuzzy.
pene ra
in
in te It
But if
is
fe
ou'r
all fully
ation. ity to
go
work
de
more av ra
circ msta ces?
Try
is no full-blown
Th Drawback of Pressure
As
ET
14
TI
hospital usin saving to pa hospital bills, etc. avoiding hi co-worke becaus of ambivalent feelings toward him, hating his superviso fo blockin his progress in th company, ~1
ag ec ue es enefit to help yo muster enthusiasm at ecisio im fo an unappetizing A~I. ad an ould av hi organization everal housan dollars ar al
au
he kn
ad
A-I. Ia
mp
co-workers. His supervisor
ac th suggestion form
It's particularly valuable to Stress he en throug long or comple job. Sometime it's even necessar
II
mi ng
with
ew ef that contains "sweetener ou
ay
ac-
ad
to induce
ve
nna ongressmen
averin
us
's
now." worker an th hassle with hi supe viso ha kept hi
from
'Henry as convince that everything considered submit ting hi proposal as th -t en
xp
ef
t)
done.
us nc bo er cent of he fi st year's avings (a leas $1,250), self-satisfac(leading to promotion, mo an higher salary).
interestin
an
enjoyabl
ork,
-I
suggestion form (worry could lead to ulcers spending time in
money possible promotion. etc.), ness trip ay
co
ur
an
un
ev
'c
atting to look at--or slee late th next morning. iv yourself ewar when yo reac variou milestones ey om
'v If
ways of rewardin
yourself
finish writin this book I'll take
op
drink af er vacation
plac ar
142
ALAN ALAN LAKE LAKEIN IN
if
in
ur mind mind
conin
ell, ell,
ng
ef re
OU will
actu actual ally ly fini finish sh I'll will
's is to
dow
procra procrast stina inatio tion. n.
tum don't
If
instead,
ThIS is
if
score.
is valu valuab able le
type it
,E
It
do
If
sron Stress the
nap.
Seve Seve Comm Common on
In ul in
ou se
Yourself. 143
ista istake ke
ALAN ALAN LAKE LAKEIN IN
14
HO
TO GE
CO TROL TROL OF
OU
TIME TIME ANDYO ANDYOUR UR LIPE LIPE
Socializing.
to thes thes
when
14
esca escape pe
Reading.
or
in
Sunday tions.
ee le oi
ro ec
sp
80
be
Ae well be to as La ei 's
do
es on
wallow
Admi Admi When When You' You're re Wast Wastin in Time Time
it
in giving
very very od Running trip. If
ea es
an
away. If
be the
ef icie icie cy
Is
your time.
maki making ng th best The best
going
cock cock ai or pp Daydreaming.
thin thin
turned
else else
if the
be
in
ro
th nd
ng
ou self self
ea
cial cializ iz ng in life life come come
ar
co roll roll
t.
is
LA
t4
er ai
ar ec this that that need needed ed poli polish shin ing. g.
em
ul
by feel-
a1
felt felt comp comple lete tely ly on tOl? tOl?of of th sl~a sl~a
d p port port beca becaus us
it
L AK AK EI EI N
nagging thought
essent ntia ia as esse
CONTROL
OP YOUR
t4
YOUR LIPB
he shou should ld admi admi to hers hersel elf. f. til am wast wastin in my time time." ." If you gn incr increa easi sing ngly ly diff diffic icul ul to rati ration onal aliz iz deto detour urs. s. Abov Abov aD you' you'll ll acce accept pt that that it's it's you ho is in cont cont ol an make make th choi choice ces. s. 80 that ou ce ch at ci yo won' won' alwa always ys succ succee eed. d. Bu if yo ca reco recogn gn ze he yo ar asti asting ng your your time time you' you'll ll defi defini nite tely ly incr increa ease se your your chan chance ce further.
(i Anot Anothe he wa to make sure
ct
ea
er
er eigb eigb or to
time."
ng
't
know knowle ledg dged ed that that he real really ly was uc
ap
didn't have
op
turning
Escape
ec prob proble le in and zero zeroed ed in on th A- with with incr increa easi sing ng freq freque uenc ncy. y. see hi
re trying to lose
smok smokin ing. g.
give in
Es-
asti asting ng hi time time Th bene benefi fits ts
It
is
Es-
an up in ma exce exceed ed your your long longin in or cand cand or ciga cigare rett tte. e. Shou Should ld yo perh perhap ap canc cancel el he ubsc ubscri ript ptio io to th medi medioc oc maga magazi zine ne yo alwa always ys tum to as
him.
able to projec projec almost almost immedi immediate ately. ly. my
outi outine ne hous househ ehol ol chor chores es over over om chal challe leng ngin in proj projec ec they they have have incl includ uded ed in thei thei ifet ifetim im oals oals Stat Statem emen ent. t. If oman oman an du an
full of
If
get
Escape
dis-
trac tracti ting ng yo as when it's sitt sittin in on your your de k. e- at cr co ur ea bu this this deli deligh ghtf tful ul Escape prev preven ents ts yo ro th -I Perh Perhap ap your your do nfal nfal is er el an 's yo good
eg t.
an
or nt
en
to her acco accomp mpli li hing hing
ch
If th
mo
all
ethi ethi aftern rnoo oon, n, then then it might this afte
im-
As
You' You'll ll prob probab ably ly mode modera rate te your your alco alcoho holi li inta intake ke aDow aDowin in yo
14
If
eek, eek,
ak
it
bo se meal meal plan plan ng st ckin ckin en co temp temp atin atin fo ea s. If out, try to
an
free free in
deas deas
'v
run
RN
in
Yo
whelmed;
Ca Proc Proc as in te Posi Positi tive ve
end; O.K. If Sit in
"failures";
If
is
ha
in the
goal
it
ll be
ri ht in
15
ALAN LAKEIN
N1)
OU
I. WE
it "under
Try Thes
WilIpower"Building Exercise
if ng tw -h ndre -p nd
ei ht
If ou'l
in in us ry
et
ow rd pr
rs lf
ex remely
ct
aluable.
rk
er
or
grea ly
over severa months is significant.
wanted
decision
did
difficul tasks.
did it If
if
in
If
51
control.
.LI
15
15
It
wi
tum
If
his time-wasting
If
urge
it
don't try
If
Coup
Ex
in
Help lit-
If
with conquering
it. Be satisfie
if if
hi
no
really begi ni
is ike.
154
ALAN LAKBIN
whatever is in
A- turn Al-
can't
can
un-
try
CO SI ER make ot
ssured
If
to
ccee
T A S UC C E S
you ut fa lure is still
again? Try if
u"
tum
in your darkroom
th th kids,
failed to
etry is will
you If
u're
hit human. Think closer to ve ua
is
succ ss IS
illi
to acce
goin ited
157
ALAN LAICEI
156
just weren't
well
that
each "mistake
ni ed St tes.
to to be done with
didn't mean
er er ence behi
me
circ ms ance
ou couldn't.
can lear
to make
do.
to doing it
turns out,
alI.
than if saying:
thin
is
Th Va
rt
in
's
rt
oi
ad l"
Success
Tr
he
to
do. It as rial an ucce s. scientific research multiple "faihires" comm nl thousands.
to lead to
It
to
after
failure: si ess,
83
lect
to egis ature,
18
ee eart
ed
eo le
So what is
pp
hat,
he te hn ue
I've re omme ed
somethin
159
17.
APPENDIX
18.
Time "On-Time"
1.
minute. ry nj 5. 6.
7.
buil
whatever
19. 20. 21. 22.
am doing.
23.
on successes.
something
no es
in
nd idea
in th smallest task al ay la fi st thin
in
24. don't
do.
as soon as possible.
25.
important
things." If it's importan
I'll
26. el
ai time
9.
27. 28. 29. 30.
a.m.
early).
in
10. noon.
ry
31.
ally).
didn't
32.
12. 13.
ee on.
th politica
33. 34.
conventions.
14. drive. 15.
35. 36. it items.
lining. If
158
37.
proc as na
