Do we in India really consider "time" as "money"? Or do we just sneer at it as a God given gift - so commonly available, that it is not even worth a serious thought.

Have you ever tried to define "time"? No, I am not referring to its scientific definition, which is incomprehensible to most of us. The best that I came across just said, "Time is an asset which we possess". How true! How devastatingly true!!

There are some great peculiarities about this "asset". Undoubtedly it is the most equitably distributed asset on this earth. Can you point out another which was so naturally distributed to all human beings irrespective of their nationality, color of skin, race, height, weight, religion or any other attribute that one could think of? It is also the most priceless of assets that we can possess. If it were theoretically possible to donate “time”, would you have done so, even to your own father, for example? But in-spite of being so invaluable, it is a dichotomy, that “time” continues to be the most wastefully used asset by all of us. There isn't a more poignant irony than this.

Of the many habits and practices suggested to manage "time", the most important, to my mind, is THE ART OF SAYING NO. There are innumerable occasions when one's time schedule is thrown to the winds because one could not say “No”, to an intruder. Would you have allowed a thief to burgle your safe where other "assets" (say your jewellery) were stored? Why then do we exhibit such utter carelessness when it comes to the usage of our time?

Negation is universally an unpopular concept and understably so! It is not liked because of the many unacceptable "side-effects" that it can generate. The crux of the matter then is to somehow say "no"--positively. Is it at all possible to express negation in a positive manner? Experts say, it is; and there starts this fine art of saying "No". Let us attack the problem as a seasoned marketer would. Segmentalise the "customers" and then adopt a different strategy to tackle each one of them.

How to say "No" to your spouse:
As you must have realized, this is fraught with danger. A simple "No" could be interpreted as breaking of the sacred vows. The tantrums that follow may waste more time of yours than the amount you had set out to save by saying "No". Try saying it with fullsome praise, if you have to and yes, definitely promise the next occasion when you will accept the request. The final effect must be positive.

How to say "No" to your boss.
This is perceived by many as the most difficult task. How can one deny the Lord, our Master (at least in the office)? To add to your woes, all bosses take pride in their ability of never taking "No" for an answer. Experts suggest that you try throwing the ball back in the boss's court and allow him to decide! If he keeps giving you unattainable deadlines, ask him to tell you the order in which you should tackle the assignments. You would have said "No" without having uttered the word.

How to say "No" to your colleagues?
This gets you worried about your popularity amongst them, doesn't it? Don’t let that worry you. Always give them an alternative date or time when you would do what they want you to do, now. This will assure them that instead of totally rejecting their demands on your time, you are only re-scheduling them.

How to say "No" to your subordinates?
I am sure you don't require me or any other expert on time management to tell that to you. If you can't say "No" to your subordinates in a manner which will not de-motivate them, I guess you do not have the genes of a "boss" in you. Like an astrological prediction, I could say "avoid all opportunities to become a boss".

How to say "No" to your customers?
This is indeed a dicey proposition - but one on which all management experts are unanimous. YOU JUST CANNOT SAY "NO" TO A CUSTOMER.
There are some personal habits, which if developed, could stand you in good stead in this tricky business of saying "No". Did not someone say that prevention is better than cure? So, why not do some things that will reduce the number of occasions that require you to say “No”.
Create a reputation of being a time-conscious individual
The number of "intruders" on your time who arrive unannounced and create these situations (where they have to be denied), will dramatically drop, once they know that you don't appreciate such surprises. You can even sacrifice a little bit of your popularity to achieve this. But on the flip side, do give them time when you have promised it.
Keep half an hour everyday in office for unannounced visitors
That should really stump them and in the overall analysis, you will be the net gainer. What if you lose 30 minutes - you had planned to lose them, hadn't you?

Learn to say "No Problem" instead of "No".
This is easier said than done, but who said good things are easy? Try programming yourself to think (much before saying it) "no problem", instead of a blunt "no". Remember that cerebral responses are more effective than verbal.
Saving this great asset of "time", is not only profitable but enjoyable too. As a wag once said, "People who talk of immortality generally do not know how to spend a wet Sunday afternoon". I have met people who didn't know what they could do with all the time that is thus saved. I wish I could ask them if they would feel like that when they would someday be on their deathbed.

"Mr. Prakash Shesh, the author, has done his MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad after his Masters in Physics from I.I.T. New Delhi. You may send your feedback to him by choosing an option at the top right corner of this page."