Real-World Time Management

“How pleasant it is, at the end of the day
No follies to have to repent,
But reflect on the past and be able to say
That my time has been properly spent. “

—JANE TAYLOR, ENGLISH POET

To know where you're going, you need to schedule time for planning. In scheduling time, allocate yourself a certain amount of quiet time every day to set priorities, put your subconscious to work, think creatively, relax, and/or develop new skills. For some, this is the first thing they do. Others slate a planning time at the start of the day and at day's end.

When you make up a daily schedule, be sure to leave time between appointments to deal with sudden emergencies. Transition time (those short periods of time between major activities) can be reserved for simple 5- to 15-minute tasks. Utilize the planning system with which you're most comfortable. The only alternative not allowed: no planning at all. Then you're a ship without a rudder.

Let's say you always feel great first thing in the morning. Your energy is at its peak from 7:00 A.M. until just before noon. You arrive at the office at 8:45 to

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