Gerald D'Cunha

T hese two students of mine are in their final-year B.M.S. (Bachelor in Management Studies). Their college starts at 1:30 in the afternoon. So, at what time should they get up from their bed? I have been teaching them Financial Accounts, Management Accounts and Taxation subjects over these three years. But, one thing I have not been able to teach them well: is the importance of managing their time well… These two young men simply cannot come in time… Because, they simply cannot get up from their beds early. My gentle persuasion, firm instructions and even angry outbursts – yes, despite all these - my two boys are chilled about this issue. “I will not tolerate,” I gave the ultimatum, yesterday, to my young ones, “even a single minute late.” Well, as much as I blow hot, I, also, blow cold. I write nothing on the hard rock, nothing. I know they are capable of getting off their beds early, as they once did when they were little boys. For years, they did ...

Pic. : Anand Ashokan “Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of.” – Charles Richards O ne of my favorite expressions is this: “God has given all of us the same twenty-four hours in a day. To President Obama, Bill Gates you and me… yes, God has given to all of us the same twenty-four hours in a day.” ‘I have no time,’ is one of lamest excuses in life. “I have no interest,” or “I have no motivation,” or ‘I have no discipline’… probably, we might find some takers for these reasons. But, ‘I have no time”, sorry… No way! An interesting observation is: In life, we, always, find time to do the things we love and feel excited about. If so, the trick is to discover what we love to do… or learn to love what we do… feel excited about it… Yes, that’s the only way, perhaps, we can make the most of those twenty-four hours we are endowed with. S ome days ago, I heard a speaker asking his ...

Pic.: Chetna Shetty M rs. Subramaniam was a very popular teacher in one of the best schools around. She taught there for twenty-five years, and, spent her next five years as the Principal of other well-known schools in the city. Now, in her mid-sixties, she spends her time involving herself in many productive and empowering activities. I like the zest and energy she exudes… and the childlike eagerness with which she approaches life… Two days ago, I had spoken to Mrs. Subramaniam about our on-going PD course and requested her to spend some time with our young kids. So, this morning, she was here, literally held fascinated by what our young kids were sharing in class. “How I spend my day” was the topic, and, they all knew that they were not being judged or analyzed by any of us… That, they were encouraged to speak out – frankly and fearlessly – all that they felt… their joys and frustrations… their conflicts inside and outside… why they weren’t able to focus… w...

I am invited to conduct a two-hour Workshop on ‘Time Management’ to a group of youngsters tomorrow. My good friend, Mr. Uday, has organized this Workshop (For MINDFLEX/ MUSIC GURUKUL) and also sent me some material on the subject. I haven’t seen the material, yet. These are just youngsters, of 15 to 20 age group. Their world orbits around their Schools and Colleges… their tuition classes, some special classes like Computer, Dance or Drawing, some Entrance-exam classes like CET/CPT/CAT, or even these Self-Growth Workshops. Not to forget their Blackberry and Face book friends… For some, it is TV or sports… or just hanging around, yes, just for the bliss of it. Oh yes, for those who are lucky (or, doomed?), it is their boy friends or girl friends! But, that IS their world… the world around which the lives of these young adults orbit. I have passed through that world. My 19-year-old son passes through, now.  So, what will I tell these kids, tomorrow? Should I prepare notes from t...

"Even Bill Gates has only twenty-four hours in his day. Not a neno-second more." This is how I remind myself, time and again, when I tend to hide my inefficiencies with that universal excuse: "I have no time." I drill a big hole in my head, and fill this: "Buddy, even the richest man on earth made his billions, only with twenty-four hours." "Did you read the book I gave you?" I ask some one. "Not yet. I didn't find time," is his reply. Now, he did not read that book, not because he didn't find time; but, because, I had given that book 'free' to him. Had he bought it, on his own, I am sure, he would have found the time to read it. Because, we make time for all those things, that we 'choose' to do; the things we love. Did I call my mom on her wedding anniversary? No, I didn't. I don't even know the date. Does it mean, I love her less. She would be definitely emphatic: "No". I do not remember the d...