Time In, Time Out

meeboguest299231: goodness.. how do u find time 2 compose music, do photoshoots, work in **, blog n take care of family?

After this friend of mine posted this question on Meebo, I then realised how many tasks I have been undertaking all these while.

The answer is: time management. To help me manage my time is Google Calendar. Just like Gmail, this online calendar colour-codes all my various interests so that I make sure I have time for each activity. Google Calendar even comes with SMS notification which I use as a reminder note at appropriate times, e.g. "6pm Buy groceries". You can share your calendar to anyone with Google account, so people can know your schedule if you so choose to. My only wish is for Google to create an applet for the mobile phone like what they did for Gmail.

You really don't have to manage time to the minute. I always leave lots of room between tasks so that I have time to rest and idle. We all know about the "The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee" story. Here's the full article:

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.


He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.


The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.


The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes".


The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.


"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.


The golf balls are the important things in life. Your God, your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions: things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.


The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.


The sand is everything else: the small stuff.


"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.


Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean house and fix the disposal.


Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.


One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."


I would rather spend time on my passion and my family than on shopping or clubbing or watching TV or monitoring stocks or gym. My life feels meaningful and complete with these activities.

Different people live different lives, but everyone only has 24 hours per day. Choose your priorities and forgo the rest. Live for your passion and your love, and you will find life happier and worth living for.

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