The Knack of Objectivity - Part 1

Do you think that you waste a lot of time? Or when it comes to time-management, you are just not the one for it. Well, same is the case here. So, let us try, and crack it a bit. Time-management is a very potent tool. This is something all of us know so fully, yet many of us do not succeed to gain from it. Even after formulating comprehensive time-tables; rows, columns, some may even use colour-codings; we fail to follow them consistently. But think for a moment; what actually drives us to make time-tables or let’s say, read articles on the subject of organization of tasks? If you ponder, you can perceive that many times, it is basically motivation, which, in reality, is the driving force. So, the time-tables that we form, are all the result of the fire of motivation that burns inside us, and when we lose consistency, the fire had been extinguished, the colours fade away and hence, things return to ‘normal’. However, if we keep ourselves inspired, it may be realized that constructing time-table (on paper) is not even ‘strictly’ required; in no way does that mean we do not devise a time-table, because its benefits remain firmly recognized. They are, though, not the focal point of this discussion.

To touch objectivity, elucidation of the role of motivation in achieving goals was indispensable. Motivation is the driving force, and objectivity is the vehicle. Once you learn to be objective, it becomes easier to focus. Put otherwise, to give the finest shape to motivation and yield maximum results, objectivity is the key. If you learn this “Knack of Objectivity”, the ability of being objective, you will be able to maintain consistency for a longer time. The rationale being the verity that many times, not always, motivation is a timely phenomenon, it may die away, whereas, objectivity can develop into a part of your very nature, hence its benefits retain for an extended period.

The initial and primarily, the main aim should be to define your tasks precisely, specifically and absolutely clearly. This is of utmost importance, because wandering without clear image of your chores results in unproductive time-wastage. Once you know what to do, it will become quite simple to begin with. You should remember from your secondary school or O-Level/Matriculation when we were given an essay to write. The very first step taught by our teacher was to chalk out an “outline”. At the start, it was brainstorming, but then, main points were collected and put in sequential order. This really facilitates in producing a piece of good writing. The reason is, before you start to write, you have an unambiguous image of what you are going to carry out. Objectivity in this case was more knotty than it is in the long-term or short-term responsibilities of life. So, relax, mark your aims, smile, and embark on.

To visualize things in parts is a talent. It is easier for an engineer to be objective than it is for, let’s say, a poet, obviously, only if he thinks akin to an engineer. The reason is that he has worked more on structuring things from parts. Mark that this is not a direct criticism on poetry. Or else, tomorrow we may say that writers also let their thoughts flow and reflect about random things, and hence a writer cannot be objective. By the way, an “Engineer who writes” is someone different from a “writer”. Though, this statement is not mutually exclusive. Nevertheless, this is generally the case if both are passionate about their own profession. Anyways, beginning with small parts and then moving on is a practice you have been carrying out when you didn’t even have to worry about completing your homework, let alone managing several tasks. Parents bring their babies Lego blocks and different puzzles to play and learn with. Among other colorful plastic bricks, they also have Lego blocks with alphabets and numbers printed on them. We can see that this is the trend that suites our nature. Once again, know that it does not entail that we start disassembling everyday jobs that are already defined. We just need to mentally categorize our assignments, and have a vivid image of them.

Optimization is another tool which helps to cover much in lesser time. Irrespective of which field you belong to, everything is not equally important in life. Tasks are given preferences depending on different factors. For example, during the days of exams, we leave recreation and cut off other activities that offer us entertainment. Similarly, during the vacations, we find ourselves and study, poles apart! (Definitely, this is not an example of optimization!) If one is able to manage and put his or her activities in the right preferential order, the person is utilizing time capably.

Just yesterday, I was reading an article on The Beloved Prophet’s (Peace be upon him) Guidance on managing time, and what should our preferences be? It was worth reading. The transcript can be downloaded from this link, http://www.sacredknowledge.co.uk/ Do read!