Well, all this is easier said than done ! So the problem of time can remain an eternally unsolved dilemma. Wait, there is a way out. It's simple, yet difficult! Simple, because any one can do it. Difficult because one is not used to organizing so one would not start and even after starting one is tempted to give up or back track due to old disorderly pattern of working, the way one is used to. Solution is to be tough with yourself to follow the easy way out-it's listing the activities or duties as many as they come to your mind and even keep on adding to the list.

The next step is take a full scape sheet of paper keep it horizontally and divide it in 7 parts. You know why? A week has seven days. Now from the list of activities, transfer activities as per priority under each day, viz. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and so on. A special tool is planning by exception. See which activities can be pushed as far as possible. Write such activities which appear interesting but not urgent, on the reverse side of the 7-Day sheet. It is very likely that after a week you find that particular activity is redundant or avoidable, (e.g. reading of a story or an article in a magazine.)

Now you have the weekly sheet with the activities arranged for each day of the week. The next step is to give a serial number to activities according to priority so that you get to start with important and urgent matters first. At the end of the day cancel completed activities and carry forward the unattended activities to the next or even next to next day. After doing so, give a number to the activities of the next day in order of priority.

An interesting idea would be to keep one or two inches at the top end of the sheet available for reminders like phone calls, birthdays etc. Remember this is your personal plan, you may use short forms or SMS language to be brief as you well understand what you write. Cancel the activities completed or carried forward. Let the sheet look untidy, as you are writing things for your self, so how it looks with cancelling or scribbling is nobody's business but yours. Prepare such “7-Days” weekly sheets as a regular practice and you will find yourself in total command of your activities. You know these sheets do the job of a friend who puts you to thinking and organizing thus putting you in command!

A word of caution, most people don't start. They have self-justification for their laziness that it will take time. Many even give up after a week or two. Only those who persist success techniques rise above mediocrity to shine. So be tough with self for only tough ones keep going when going is tough.

Those keen on learning such techniques can attend 12 sessions workshop. “PEPCO” on Saturday mornings and take charge of your life, situations and your success plan. Those keen may send a written request to the OT editorial office. Some programmes are available on Sunday mornings also.

PEPCO stands for : Personality, Effectiveness, Presentation, Communication and Observation for monitoring. PEPCO is the only salvation from habits to systems.

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