365 Exciting Ways to Live: Excitement # : 89. Respect Personal Space

Respect Personal Space

Etiquette means behaving yourself a little better than is absolutely essential.

– Will Cuppy

People want privacy. Learn to respect the personal space of others. When we know someone very well, sometimes we take them for granted. Without our being aware of it, we may intrude into their personal space. Some people may not like it. Some may feel embarrassed to express this. Some others may tell you bluntly and you may not like it. Even among very close relationships such as husband and wife, there is a personal space.

Check for the following traits in you:

·         Do you ask very personal questions to your friends?

·         Do you offer unsolicited advice?

·         Do you give unsolicited criticisms?

·         Do you offer unsolicited suggestions?

·         Do you point out others’ mistakes, which they may not like?

·         Do you barge into others’ office without appointment?

·         Do you take undue liberties with your friends?

These are the areas, where you’ve to be very careful with respect to personal space. Respecting others’ personal space is good manners. Maintaining good rapport and interpersonal relationship is an art. We should be diplomatic and graceful when moving with others.

(From my book '365 Exciting Ways to Live')

NC Sridharan

www.thetimefoundation.com

00000

365 Exciting Ways to Live: Excitement # 88. Double the Planning Time!

 Double the Planning Time

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

– Benjamin Franklin

Double the planning time to cut the execution time by half! Looks very simple! But it is a very powerful time management idea. Every project involves a planning and an execution phase. If you plan meticulously, you will be able to accomplish any task to the highest quality standard.  

Before going to sleep, spend at least thirty minutes of your time on how you are going to spend your next day. In addition, spend the first hour of the day in planning and meditating.

Take an important project which will make a substantial value addition to your life and do a detailed strategic planning. Use project management charts and tools. Plan for all the activities, resource mobilisation, time schedule etc. Anticipate problems and think ‘if this goes wrong then...’ and prepare a contingency plan.

Put your plan on a piece of paper. Many people don’t do this part well. Mental planning is not good enough for important projects. When you write down, many things will get cleared. It will be a good idea to discuss your plan with others, who may have a different perspective.

Meticulous planning will avoid unnecessary tension during execution. 

(From my book '365 Exciting Ways to Live')

N C Sridharan
www.thetimefoundation.com
00000

365 Exciting Ways to Live: Excitement # 87. Respect Others’ Time

Respect Others’ Time

Time = Life; therefore, waste your time and waste of your life, or master your time and master your life.

– Alan Lakein

Are you sensitive to others’ priorities? If you want people to respect your priorities, you should respect their priorities. Time is a scarce resource which should not be wasted, whether it is your time or others’.

Check if you do the following:

• Do you waste others’ time by involving them in unnecessary conversation, especially if you are in such a position that they cannot avoid?
• Do you engage others on long telephone conversations, insensitive to time?
• Do you make people wait without any reason?
• Do you make unreasonable demands on their time regardless of their time pressure?
• Do you interrupt others very often affecting their flow of work?

·         Do you force your priorities on others using your power and authority?

Some people may not express their embarrassment, if you are not sensitive to their priorities. They may not feel comfortable to say ‘no’ to your demands on their time.

Over the next week, audit your own style with respect to the above factors. If you value others’ time and priorities, they will also reciprocate the same sentiment!

(From my b00k  '365 Exciting Ways to Live')

N C Sridharan
www.thetimefoundation.com
00000

365 Exciting Ways to Live : Excitement # 86. Control TV-Viewing Time

 Control TV-Viewing Time

Television: chewing gum for the eyes.

– Frank Lloyd Wright

Have you considered reducing your TV watching time? If not, do it immediately. The visual media are so powerful that it will take away all your precious time. With the latest technology available, there is no limit at all for the number of channels available to watch. The only limitation is our time, which you know is very scarce and precious.

Just imagine your life before the TV came to your room! Didn’t you have more family time and personal time? What happened to all that?

Consider the following:

• All programmes may be interesting, but you have limited time. So, choose in advance, which programmes you are going to watch.
• Spend quality time on TV by watching useful channels. Give a functional bias to your TV-watching portfolio.
• Log your TV-watching time for a week and try to reduce it by 20% to start with.
• Don’t have a TV in your work or study area; it will interfere with your work.

The list is endless. If you are really serious, you can use the TV for a productive purpose.

(From my book '365 Exciting Ways to Live')

N C Sridharan

www.thetimefoundation.com

00000