Time is a commodity that commands a price. Treating time as a commodity is, however, problematic. It has the potential to induce guilt in individuals who might erroneously think that they are ‘wasting’ time even when they are only rejuvenating themselves. Given that time as a concept comes into play primarily with respect to our goals and productivity, it’s much more beneficial to think in terms of our own selves.

Pause for a minute and think about your goals and ambitions; things that are truly important to you, things that you dream to accomplish. Now snap back to reality and consider your present moment. It’s likely that you’ll find a long list of chores demanding your attention even though they do not in any way help you achieve what’s truly important to you. The key to success lies here. It lies in an individual’s ability to wade through the muddle of trivial everyday tasks to reach for what’s truly important.

How do we go about accomplishing this? Acting upon the following specific suggestions will help you discern the important from the trivial.

1. Deal with people: People around you often need you. And you should be reaching out to them. The art you have to master is to be discernible while responding to such calls from others. The trick is to know when to say no. When you say no to people, you allow yourself the opportunity to focus on what’s truly important to you.

2. Deal with technology: In a very oblique manner, modern communication technologies exploit our weakness for immediate (but not important) needs. There’s always a tweet to be responded to even if its consequence in the larger scheme of things is nil. Ditto with other social media platforms and their notifications screaming for your attention. Do not unwittingly let these traps of modern technology detract you from the truly important. Turn them off.

3. Schedule: Imagine that one thing you’ve been meaning to do for a long time. Perhaps it’s writing a novel or learning some craft. Very often, it’s the case that you keep postponing them, promising yourself that you’ll get around when you have the time. The schedule keeps getting postponed. In a striking contrast, you’ll not be similarly disposed to postpone your meeting with a friend to catch up on things. The lesson is not to treat your goals carelessly in your own schedule.

4. Minimize: You should know what’s truly important to you and work on it every day. This is important because the flood of pressing every day needs will never relent. You have to take charge and minimize them so that you’re left with enough energy to work on things that mean something to you.

5. Isolate yourself: Without suggesting that you terminate all your social contacts, it’s nevertheless important that you keep yourself away from intrusive distractions. The more accessible you are, the more exposed to distractions and demands you become. This means limiting your social media presence, among other things.