How to fit everything in your schedule?

1 Identify the non-negotiables in your life. And then, never compromise on those. 2 Forget clichés like, “Power Breakfasts” and “Power Lunches.” Nothing is ever achieved at these meetings.

3 Talk less. Talk to the point. As Indians we have the annoying tendency to ramble on. If you teach yourself to ecnonomise on words, you’ll economise on time automatically.

4 Plan. Plan. Plan. Sounds obvious. But most people leave a lot of really important stuff till the very last minute.

5 Learn to say “No.” Being extrapolite, extra-considerate at your own expense is just not worth the effort. You don’t have to accept every invitation and take every call.

6 Know your own limitations and work around them. Can you handle eight meetings comfortably or five? If it’s five, don’t take the sixth and waste everyone’s time.

7 Focus your energy on the one single task that cannot possibly be postponed or delegated. Do it to the best of your ability before moving on to the next one. In the long run, it will save valuable hours.

8 Identify what’s really, really important in your life on all fronts — personal and professional. Don’t concentrate on one at the expense of the other.