Sweet Goals, Hidden Costs: A Better Way to Choose Commitments
There’s an old Indian proverb:
“Ghee dekha, par badga nahi dekha.”
You saw the ghee (clarified butter), but missed the cudgel waiting nearby. The image is of a cat spotting a pot of ghee and rushing to lick it, unaware of the cudgel placed close at hand, ready to strike. In folklore, it’s a warning: don’t rush to grab the sweet reward if you’re blind to the stick that comes with it.
In the context of time management, it becomes a useful filter. Every opportunity — a hobby, a project, a side hustle — comes with a cudgel: the hidden cost. The question is: are you saying yes to ghee with a cudgel or ghee with no cudgel
For years, I wanted to learn to sing. But it always felt like ghee with a cudgel — sweet but disruptive. It would have taken time away from swimming, writing, my day job, and my coaching practice. Holding back wasn’t procrastination; it was prudence in how I chose to use my time.
Recently, things shifted. Appearing as a guest on podcasts made me conscious of my voice. I wanted to sound more professional and address certain shortcomings. While exploring how, I discovered The Voice and the Actor by Cicely Berry. The book recommends singing as a way to develop breath control — the foundation of a strong, clear voice.
That was the turning point. Singing wasn’t just a hobby anymore. It became directly relevant to my coaching and public speaking. What once was ghee with a cudgel transformed into ghee with no cudgel.
And as I write this, the reality of the cudgel is right in front of me. I have a stage show just a few days away. I’ve already rehearsed my song dozens of times, and I know I’ll probably cross a hundred repetitions before the performance. It reminded me why I was right not to take up singing earlier, when it didn’t align with my rhythm. Now, the same effort feels purposeful because it directly strengthens my vocation.
Before saying yes to something new, run it through this filter:
- Is this ghee with a cudgel?
Sweet on the surface but disruptive to my rhythm. If yes, decline. - Is this ghee with no cudgel?
An effort that aligns naturally with my goals and strengthens my priorities. If yes, commit.
Time management isn’t about doing everything that looks tempting. It’s about choosing only those that align closely with your life goals and overall rhythm. That simple filter preserves your focus, protects your rhythm, and makes every “yes” sustainable.
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(Originally published in Times of India on August 16, 2025)
What They Don’t Teach You About Managing Time — Until It’s Too Late
“If I had to do my education over again, and had any voice in the matter, I would not study facts at all. I would develop the power of concentration and detachment, and then with a perfect instrument I could collect facts at will.”
— Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda was emphasizing the importance of learning how to concentrate — a foundational ability that should be developed before diving into the pursuit of knowledge.
Inspired by that thought, I’d like to propose something similar:
Learn time management before you take on high-stakes, high-impact responsibilities. Before you lock horns with towering demands, equip yourself with the ability to manage your time, tasks, and energy well.
At some point in most careers, the demands start piling up. You’re doing more, achieving more, and being pulled in multiple directions. But quietly, something begins to give:
- Work responsibilities multiply
- Family and personal obligations intensify
- Your own health takes a backseat
- Time feels scarce, and balance slips away
And yet, amidst this growing complexity, we rarely pause to ask:
Do I have the system in place to carry this load?
Despite how essential time management is, it’s rarely treated as a core skill in formal education or professional training.
We’re trained in tools, platforms, domain knowledge, and even communication — but rarely in how to manage our time, attention, and energy effectively. This leaves many professionals to figure it out through trial and error — often after they’ve already hit overwhelm.
We often think of time management as a way to fit more into each day — to be faster, more efficient, more productive. But in truth, it’s about creating a system that clears mental space. A system that helps you organize. At first glance, being organized and managing time might seem like two separate skills. But at a deeper level, they are tightly connected.
Time is a limited resource — we all know that. And if we fail to use it judiciously, we risk disappointing our stakeholders, our teams, and ourselves. But here’s the catch: you can’t use time wisely unless you have a clear view of everything you’re expected to do.
That clear view — or inventory of commitments — is what being organized gives you. It includes both the work itself and the material needed to do it well.
Once you’ve organized these two core elements — your tasks and your material — you finally have a fair shot at making the best use of your time. Only then can you be truly productive and reduce the hidden stress that comes from chasing tasks in the dark.
But what exactly does “being organized” mean in practice?
It goes far beyond clearing your desk or sorting your inbox. It’s about bringing structure to the full range of things that pull on your attention — from daily to-dos to long-term goals, from digital files to mental clutter.
Here’s a comprehensive look at what can (and should) be organized:
🧩 What Can (and Should) Be Organized
🎯 Immediate Priorities (Present Focused)
- Daily to-dos
- Weekly and monthly planning
- Routines (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, occasional)
- Project-specific actions
- Delegated tasks
- Calendar management
- Social media presence/scheduling
- High-value networking
🧠 Thinking Space (Mental Clarity)
- Ideas and insights
- Mind maps and brainstorming
- Journal of work done (daily log or reflections)
- Back-burner items (not urgent, but important someday)
🎯 Near-Term & Life Goals
- Job-related commitments and deliverables
- Health goals and habits
- Financial management (family budgeting, investments)
- Home environment tasks and improvements
- Spiritual practices
- Recreation and leisure (active planning)
🚀 Long-Term Direction
- Emerging responsibilities at work
- Career transition milestones
- Major life transition milestones (parenthood, retirement, relocation)
💻 Digital Life & Devices
- File folders (local and cloud-based)
- Email inbox and folders
- Browser bookmarks and reading list
- App and document shortcuts
- Smartphone gallery (photos, videos, screenshots)
- E-books, audiobooks
- YouTube videos or playlists of interest
- Family media (archival photos and videos)
📚 Reference & Knowledge Base
- Resume and career documents
- Personalized how-to guides and checklists
- Notes and action items from books
- Course notes and learnings
- Login credentials and password manager
- Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) system
- Organizational Knowledge Management (OKM) resources
💬 Communication Infrastructure
- Meeting agendas and preparation
- Meeting minutes and discussion notes
- Email and message templates
- Follow-up trackers
🏡 Personal Life & Physical Environment
- Hobbies and creative projects
- Bills, subscriptions, and renewals
- Shopping lists, travel plans
- Health checkups and medical appointments
- Fitness routines and progress tracking
- Physical space: desk, drawers, wardrobe, bookshelf
- Mnemonics and memory aids
- Reading list and watchlist
- Alarm and reminder setup
You don’t have to organize all of this at once. Start with just one area that’s causing you the most friction or distraction. Because the goal isn’t perfection — it’s clarity, control, and calm. This kind of organization doesn’t just help you “get things done” — it helps you think clearly, act intentionally, and stay calm under pressure.
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How to take care of your health while you are busy setting new records of productivity – 3
In the first two parts of this series, we explored physical exercises and the art of restorative breaks. Part 1 focused on how to integrate static and dynamic stretches into a high-performance schedule, and Part 2 looked at how to rest without guilt or downtime regret.
Now, let’s talk about something you’re probably doing right now — sitting.
The Hidden Enemy in Your Workspace
We sit to work. We sit to eat. We sit to relax. And that’s the problem — we’re sitting too much. Dr. James A. Levine, a physician and researcher from the Mayo Clinic’s research shows that modern humans are sitting for over 13 hours a day, and it’s silently damaging our health.
Sitting for long periods:
- Slows metabolism
- Increases risk of heart disease and diabetes
- Even shortens lifespan
And worst of all? You can’t exercise your way out of it. One hour in the gym can’t undo 10 hours in the chair.
Movement as a Mindset
The real antidote, according to Dr. Levine, is NEAT — Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis — the small movements we do all day: pacing during calls or walking to a colleague’s desk. These micro-movements add up to better health and sharper focus. You’re not just burning calories — you’re keeping your body’s systems alert and oxygen flowing.
💡 Usable Idea #1: Post-meal Walks
One of the most powerful yet underestimated NEAT activities is taking a slow 15-minute walk — around 1 mph — after each meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This simple act helps your body process the post-meal blood sugar spike more efficiently. Instead of forcing your system to work overtime while you’re sedentary, you’re matching energy output with intake — easing the metabolic load and promoting better glucose control.
💡 Usable Idea #2: Reclaiming 2 Hours and 15 Minutes at Work
Dr. Levine’s experiments showed that office workers could gain up to 2 hours and 15 minutes of walking a day by making small, strategic changes.
Here are practical ways to sneak movement into your day:
- Stand up and pace while on the phone
- Hold walk-and-talk meetings
- Move your chair to encourage standing
- Sit on a stability ball
- Use a mini-stepper in conference rooms
- Relocate trash cans and printers farther away
- Keep hand weights at your desk
💡 Usable Idea #3: NEAT Boosters for Work-from-Home Professionals
One of the best work-from-home NEAT boosters is an under-desk cycle or elliptical. It allows you to pedal gently as you attend meetings, write emails, or brainstorm. Since there’s no dress code or office decorum to hold you back, you can use it as often as you like.
If you work from home, you actually have a golden opportunity — no awkward stares, no workplace restrictions. You can move freely, experiment, and even invest in tools to keep your body in motion while staying productive.
What to look for when buying one:
- Smooth and quiet operation (essential for calls and concentration)
- Clear area under the desk: Make sure the floor space under your desk allows for natural pedaling motion without obstruction. This means accommodating the full dimensions of the machine — length, height, and width — and confirming there’s enough clearance for your legs to move comfortably. Don’t rely on product photos or assumptions; physically measure the space under your desk to ensure a good fit.
- Prefer an elliptical if you have less vertical clearance than a cycle.
- Opt for a portable model with a handle and wheels, so you can easily move it for cleaning or relocate it to the TV room. This way, you can sneak in some exercise while enjoying your favorite show — with far less guilt.
Popular brands from my study:
- Cubii (known for whisper-quiet operation)
- DeskCycle (good for taller desks and strong resistance options)
Remember the purpose behind using these machines: they’re not meant for building muscle or high-intensity workouts. They exist to support NEAT — gentle, consistent movement throughout your day. It’s not about pushing your limits, but about staying subtly active while you work.
Plan Your Escape from the Chair
Bringing NEAT into your daily rhythm requires intentional design. Take time to reflect on how you spend your hours at work and at home — and redesign your environment and habits to include movement in as many touchpoints as possible.
Credits:
This post incorporates insights inspired by Dr. James A. Levine’s book Get Up: Why Your Chair Is Killing You and What You Can Do About It — a thought-provoking read that sheds light on the silent risks of our sedentary lives.
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Get Up!: Why Your Chair is Killing You and What You Can Do About It by James A. Levine
Get Up!: Why Your Chair is Killing You and What You Can Do About It by James A. Levine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
We all know that sitting too much is bad—but few of us do anything about it. The first wake-up call for me came from a powerful video by Marcus Rothkranz. It was intense—but this book seems to have been the final nail in the coffin… or should I say, the chair… of my sitting habit.
Dr. James Levine, a leading researcher at the Mayo Clinic, moves the conversation from awareness to action. His writing is grounded in decades of research, and he draws from countless experiments, stories, and insights into how modern life quietly trains us into “chairaholics.”
The chapter on how even “play” has been taken over by the chair thanks to screen addiction was both funny and frightening.
The key concept in teh book is about NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis)—the energy we spend doing everything other than deliberate exercise. It’s the difference between folding laundry and watching TV, walking after meals or scrolling through your phone. Levine makes a compelling case that NEAT—not gym time—is what keeps active people healthy and happy.
The encouraging part? The transformation begins with a single step—literally. A chair-bound brain can rewire itself into a walking brain in just three weeks. Through the lens of cue, response, and reward, Levine helps individuals and organizations break free from chronic sitting. He also acknowledges that everyone’s approach—what he calls a personalotype—will be unique.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to stay productive—without letting their health pay the price—and for those leading workplace well-being initiatives in their organizations.
From Resolutions to Real Actions: A Mid-Year Wake-Up Call
A few days ago, my brother called me, wanting to postpone our weekend meeting — something we call बौद्धिक — an intellectual discussion the three of us brothers have been doing regularly around topics of shared interest. He had an important presentation at a conference, and suddenly—only one day was left to prepare. He said something we’ve all felt at some point, “It was 24×7 in my mind that I have to prepare. But I was just too busy—so I thought, afternoon… then evening… then tomorrow morning… and now, just one day is left!”
I told him what I always say, to him and to anyone in this situation, “Having something in mind isn’t enough. You have to break it down into small, doable tasks—and pick them up one at a time, by watching for the right pocket of time, among the available ones”. This is so critical that I tweaked an old adage: No pain, no gain to –
No plan, no gain
Very similar phenomena happen with medium to large projects in our lives — and also with the New Year’s resolutions we take up. Look at this funny picture I received as a WhatsApp forward on 30th June — the mid-year mark. Funny? Yes. True? Sadly, also yes.
Yes, goals evolve. Yes, clarity improves with time. But if we keep tweaking our resolutions so much that the spirit is lost—what’s the point?
Your New Year resolutions weren’t random whims. They were rooted in hope, ambition, and self-belief. If something no longer feels relevant—drop it. But if it still matters to you, don’t downgrade it. Don’t quietly give up on it.
You don’t need to feel guilty. You need a fresh plan. Instead of letting those goals collect dust, revisit your list.
Let’s take an example. Say your resolution was to “Start a business.” Sounds exciting—but also overwhelming. Here’s how you could break it down into doable steps:
- Clarify the idea – What problem will your business solve? Jot it down in one sentence.
- Research the market – Identify existing players, gaps, and demand.
- Talk to 3 people – Get feedback from peers or potential customers.
- Sketch a simple plan – Even one page is enough to get moving.
- Block time – Schedule 2 focused hours every weekend.
- Register a domain – Reserve your business name online.
- Set up a separate bank account – Keeps money matters clean from day one.
Notice how this turns an ambitious resolution into a clear, manageable path? That’s the power of breaking it down.
Redraw your mind map—or make one if you didn’t. Break your goals into small, clear, doable actions. Pick one. Start there. Your resolutions were goals—not actions, so you need to break them down to actions. The work breakdown is where real progress begins. Are you looking for a little more hand-holding? Read here.
So here’s your wake-up call: Do it. Or redo it. But make sure you have a real plan — not just a noble thought floating in your mind. Let July be your fresh January. Your goals deserve that much.
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(Originally published in Times of India on July 05, 2025)
From Helmets to Mind Maps: Reclaiming Focus in a Distracted World
“Perhaps the most difficult thing that a human being is called upon to face is long, concentrated thinking.” – Hugo Gernsback, inventor and science fiction pioneer, writing in the 1920s
…And that hasn’t changed.
Whether you’re a software developer designing a complex system, a UX designer crafting a seamless experience, an artist conceptualizing your next piece, or a blogger crafting this post (me 😊) — focused thinking remains the backbone of meaningful work.
To protect that focus, Gernsback invented The Isolator in 1925 — a strange helmet that blocked sound, light, and even oxygen to help the wearer concentrate. Fascinating? Yes. Practical? Not quite.
But do we have something better today? Fortunately, yes. Especially when you’re trying to break down a complex project, plan meaningful actions, and bring your full focus to the task at hand — there’s a tool that rises to the occasion.
That tool is the Mind Map — practical, visual, and surprisingly powerful.
Popularized by Tony Buzan, the Mind Map was designed to tap into memory, creativity, and understanding. But one thing it definitely delivers is focus. Its true usefulness lies in the mindfulness required to create it. You can’t Mind Map on autopilot. It compels you to slow down, make connections, and visualize the bigger picture — making it a surprisingly effective way to brainstorm and shape a clear, actionable plan for your projects.
It’s like a thought processor — taking in your jumbled ideas and outputting a structured, prioritized list of actionable tasks.
🛠️ How Mind Maps Help
👉 Deconstruct complex projects into manageable parts
👉 Clarify each step on the path to achieving your goals — main or minor
👉 Channel your full attention where and when it matters most
👉 Generate a focused to-do list with clearly defined, actionable tasks
And when it comes to action planning, the Mind Map naturally encourages what Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman called slow thinking — the deliberate, focused, and reflective kind of thought that leads to better decisions and clearer outcomes.
A little while back, I was reinvited to a podcast by Prina Shah on the topic of why the time-blocking method doesn’t work for many people. I had to create content for my talk — and what else would I do but start with a mind map? As the mind map evolved, so did my content. It became richer, more structured, and clearer. In the end, I delivered the episode with confidence — thanks to the clarity the mind mapping process brought me. This is how the mind map looked like:
In a world that demands speed, mind mapping invites you to pause — not to delay, but to think clearly before you move. And sometimes, that’s all the difference between scatter and strategy.
Try it for your next project — especially one of those tough nuts you’ve been avoiding. See what happens when you give your brain the structure it craves.
Feel butterflies in your stomach — think mind map! Coincidentally, my favorite mind map App uses a butterfly icon, as if it knows the real punch a mind map packs.
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(Originally published in Times of India on May 24, 2025)