GOAL SETTING PLANNING TIME MANAGEMENT Joyful Living Web

GOAL SETTING, PLANNING & TIME MANAGEMENT Joyful Living Web page: web. iitd. ac. in/~prbijwe/ 1

LECTURE OUTLINE Why This Lecture? What Is Goal Setting? Process of Goal Setting Goal Planning-Road Map Time Management Managing Energy Levels Study Tips Joyful Mood-Game Changer 2

Why This Lecture? § Tragedy of human life: Unhappy pursuit of success & inability to translate potential into performance § What do you want? Success with stress & unhappiness, or happiness & success. Careful: cause & effect § Inside victory essential before outside victory. You are the creator (programmer) of your Destiny. Write your own code-Stephan Covey § Essential: +ve Attitude-Source of Will Power, Motivation, Discipline § Only then goal setting, planning, & time management possible § Goals: Desires/Dreams. Plan: Road map. Time Mgt: Efficient Execution § All highly successful persons excellent dreamers, planners & executors § Wish to share experience: student life & teaching Life 3

WHY GOALS ARE IMPORTANT? § Goals: Targets. Taking control of life. Bring Focus, Meaning, Purpose § You Can’t Hit The Target You Can’t See § Entire Process Is Joyful § With Experience, Maturity: Goal Modification, Change Possible. Normal. No Emotional Attachment § Challenges, Success/Failure-All Evolution experiences-Better Person § Provides Motivation & Self Confidence § Vision Without Action Is a Day Dream. Action Without Vision Is a Nightmare. Japanese Proverb 4

Life Goal For All : Joyfully Doing Best Every Moment of Life Joyfulness : Inner Quality Independent of Circumstances, Others’ Behaviour, & Results-Satisfaction of Always Doing Your Best Present Philosophy: Go Through Painful Work For Important Milestone like JEE/IIT Degree/CAT/GMAT/GATE/IAS/Good Job. Milestones Change, Pain Continued. Andre Aggasi, Michael Phelps: Depressed at Career Peak New Philosophy: Practice Being Joyful in Everything You Do. 5 Research: Success Follows Joyfulness. Shawn Achor

Other Goals § Self-Awareness: Strengths, Weaknesses, Aspirations, Passion, Fears, Worries, Frustrations. Write Down Ans. EI Foundation. § Start Asking: Long Term Goals (1 -5 -10 -15 Years). Dreams. Ideal Scene § All Areas of Life: Professional, Health & Fitness, Family & Social Relations, Personal. Hobbies, Spiritual. § Take Long Time to Evolve. Be Patient & Persistent. Can Change With More Info, Maturity. Perfectly Normal. Broad Base VIMP. Enjoy Process § I. I. T. Goal: Best Learning Practices, Academic Knowledge, Personality Dev § CGPA Opens One Door, Knowledge Opens Many & Continuously § short-term goals (semester, month, week, day): break down long term goals into sub -goals. divide & conquer § VIMP: All Goals Must be in Sync With Your Personality & Life Goal 6

Process of Goal Setting • SMART Goal Strategy: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time Bound • Decide: Keep a Separate Diary/File For This-Multiple Copies & Portable. Weekend • First, Think of Long Term Goals in Each Area, One At a Time. Explore Multiple Options. For a Beginner, Process Confusing, Daunting. Don’t Worry If No Answer. Take Help From +ve Seniors. Slowly Clarity Emerges. Be Specific: Kind of Job/Salary Pkg, CGPA/SGPA/Course Grades, Health. Weight. • Be Realistic-Your Capability, Constraints-Improve Incrementally. Otherwise Pain • Check Motivation: For Each Goal Possibility, Ask Why Is It Important. How 7 Would You Feel If it Is Achieved & Life Impact.

v Uncertainty Increases From Short to Long Range. Accept Fact of Life v Write Down Your Goals: Research: 1 st Gr- Only Think, 2 nd Gr Think & Write, 3 rd Gr Think, Write, Share (+ve Friend/Relative), 4 th Gr Think, Write, Share & Monitor both Goals & Progress. 4 th Group Results Best v Break Down Large Goals into Smaller, Manageable Chunks: Create Road Map of Reaching Big Goals-Many Short Milestones. Complete Clarity, Sub-Goals Appear Doable. Creates Short Term Goals in Harmony with Long Term Goals. Monthly/Weekly/Daily/Hrly-To-Do-List. Completion Feels Rewarding. Builds Confidence v Deadlines Must for Every Small Sub-Goal. Helps in Strict Implementation, Monitoring & Feedback 8

• Goals Must Be Effort Specific & Not Outcome Specific: Former Under Your Control, Not The Latter Which Depends on Multiple, Complex Factors • Take 1 st Step: Avoid Action Paralysis. Too Much planning Bad. Overcome Inertia. Take Small Steps and Learn Through Experience. • Keep Going: Challenges in Journey Inevitable. Persevere, Take Help, Relax & Take a Break if Tired. Try Different Strategy If Reqd. • Celebrate Appropriately After Even Small Goal Completion. A Pat on the Back, Just Crossing an Item in a To-Do-List OK. For Bigger Goals Treat Yourself: Dinner, Movie, Some Purchase. Mention Reward in the Plan Itself. Huge Psychological Impact. 9

§ Review Performance Vs Goals Daily/Weekly/Monthly/Semester/Annual: Reasons for Slippages for Course Correction § Analyse After Completion of Major Goals: Difficulty Level, Deficiency. Use These to Modify Future Goals and Plans. Even a Deficiency Removal Goal. § First, Set Goals Easy to Believe In. No Resistance. Progressively Difficult Ones Later. § Go with the flow: Balance Between Eye On the Goal and Enjoying the Scenery (Work) On the Way. Even Willing to Change Destination. Firm yet Flexible § VIMP: Heavy Emotions About Goals Detrimental Due to Inherent Fear 10

Semester Planning § Importance: Linking Semester, Monthly, Weekly, Daily Hrly Plans Allows Optimum Planning, Makeup Cushion for Slippages. Incremental Redistribution Over Longer Period. No Panic § Find Total Semester Effort: Forecasting IMP Pillar. Rough Estimate. Improves With Experience § List All Academic Activities: No. of Theory Courses, Labs, Assignments, Project Work etc. § Every Theory Course: Find No. Of Chapter wise Topics. List Study Hrs for Each Topic (Reading, Notes Prep-Detailed, 1 Page). Consult Teachers, and Good Seniors. 11

§ Problem Solving: Tut & Book. Be Careful-Consult Teachers. List Total Hrs § Accumulate Study Hrs for All Courses. List Before M 1, M 1 M 2, M 2 - MJ § Every Lab: No. Of Reports. Total Hrs. Total for All lab Courses & Divide As Above § Every Assignment: List Study Hrs. Total for All & Divide As Above § Be Careful: M 2 -MJ Period Very Heavy. Many Assignments, Viva, 3 rd Minor(If Any). Total Course Prep For Major. Shift Some Study To Earlier Periods 12

§ Prepare Weekly (Broad Allocation-Activity Wise) and Daily Study Hrs Requirements-Separate for Each Week Day & Week End Days Or Holidays. § List All Other Activity Hrs Every Type of Day: Relationship, Physical Activities-Fitness, Games/Sports, Hobbies, Social Media & Calls, Relaxation & Entertainment, Clubs, Competition, Personal and Spiritual. § Think Minimum and Maximum Allocation for All Activities Per Day & Week § Availability Analysis: § For a Week Write Down How You Have Been Spending Your Free Time On Above Mentioned Days. This Gives an Idea About Good/Bad Time Utilization and Habits 13

§ Now Begin Planning for Every Type of Day Afresh: § List Occupied Hrs: Sleep, Morning Chores, BF, Lunch, Dinner, Classes(Lecture/Lab/Tut), Transit Time. Non. Negotiable § Keep 1 Cushion Hr Per Week Day & More On Week End Day/Holiday (Say 3 Hrs) For Contingencies. § Now Add Minimum Hrs For Each Listed Activity Per Day Except Academics. § You Can Also Try To Add Desirable Hrs For Some Of The Above § Check How Available Study Hrs Compare With Required Ones In The Two Cases § Try To Adjust The Study Hrs Between The Two Above 14

§ If You Are Very Passionate About an Activity Or Two, You May Go Towards Maximum Hrs For Them. § Understand That You Are Making Conscious Choices In Favour of Some At The Cost of Others. Caution: Club, POR, Special Relation, Competition Events. Balance Extremely IMP. § Trap of CV Enrichment: Few good things, not many weak things § Generally, Available Study Hrs Less Than Contemplated Ones. § Trade Off Between The Requirements for Different Study Components Or Between Different Subjects. This Depends on the Individual Comfort Level For Each One. All Subjects Not Equally Difficult. Likewise for Others. § You May Have to Do Multiple Iterations To Come To a Satisfactory 15 Outcome

§ For a Beginner Used to Doing Things Free Hand Way, The Exercise May Appear Depressing & Intimidating. But, Very Soon You Will Surely See The Massive Pay-Offs § Lesser Hrs For Each Academic Activity Means You Have to be Extra Efficient § In This Process, You Get to See The Trade Off Between Important & Not So Important Components. § Final, Detailed 15 Mt Blocks Planning For Each Day: Distribute Daily Available Study Hrs To Required Academic Activities. List Specific Task & Specific Study Resources for Them. Procure and Keep Them Ready Before Commencement of the Activity 16

§ As The Day Progresses, You Get To See The Slippages in Different Components. Depending on Urgent-Important Requirements, You Can Decide Which Ones To Include in The Cushion Hrs. § As The Week Progresses You May See Accumulating Slippages. Check Whether These Can be Accommodated in Week Ends, Or Remaining Day Planning Needs to Be Modified. § MIMP: If Study Time Not Enough For A Given Activity, Stop It & Do Not Propagate To Others. Otherwise The Whole Plan Goes Haywire. § This May Mean Lesser Theory Study, Fewer Problem Solving etc. 17

§ Contingencies: Sickness, Unplanned Home Visits, Others Inevitable. Accommodation in Cushion Hrs May not Be Feasible. Re-plan the Daily, Weekly, Monthly Schedule the Moment Major Short fall Occurs. Ability to Redistribute Slippages Over Longer Time Frame Allows Minimum Disturbance in Daily Plans. No Panic. Always Feel In Control. § Goals Frequently Don’t Get Completed. But Never Give Up Planning. That Only Keeps You On Track & Provides Valuable Feedback § If You Don’t Aim For Anything, You Will Surely Reach There 18

Making Hours Count § All Hrs Not Similar: The Evening 8 -11, and Morning 4 -6, AN 3 -6 on Weekends Very Good Study Hrs. Free Hrs Between Classes Not Same. Can’t Come to Hostel & Go Back. After Refreshment & Conversation Break, Use For Joint Studies Like Report Writing, Assignment, Problem Solving, Learning Concepts From Each Other. Find Good Spots For Such Activities in LHC Or Elsewhere § Difference Between Early Morning(4 -6) and Evening (9 -11) Study Hrs. : Freshest in the Former and Progressively Tired in the Latter. Moreover, Zero Distractions in the Former and Quite a Few in the Latter. The Environmental and Noise Pollution Least in the Former and More in the Latter. Efficiency/Concentration/Focus Far Better in The Morning Hrs. Must Experiment to Swap Few Evening Hrs to Few Morning Hrs. Start With ½ Hr, & Increase Progressively If Successful. § Power Hrs: The Hrs When You Are Most Alert, Energetic, Enthusiastic. Best For 19 Meditation, Prayers etc. , and Studying the Complex Subjects

Managing Energy Levels: Body, Mind Recharge. Improving Production Capability § Sadhguru: We Study Operating Manual of Any Gadget for Best Use. For The Most Complex Gadget on Earth-Human Being, We Are Ignorant. How Can We Be Efficient? § We Worry About Mobile Charging Because WE Know Consequences. Do We Understand Consequences of Inefficient Charging of Ourselves? § Study Requires Significant Brain & Mind Activity Requiring Considerable Energy. Depletion Leads To Tiredness, Boredom & Inefficiency & Reduced Will Power. § Periodic Healthy Snacks and Fluids Help. § Physical Exercise, Meditation, Soft Music, Nature: Stress Busters, Stamina 20

• Take 2 Minute Break After Every Half Hour. Just Get Up From Chair. Stretch Arms and Legs. Take 1 Minute Deep Breaths. V. Good For Brain, Mind. One or Two Prayers & /Or Affirmations. • IMP: No Phone/Laptop/Discussion • After 2 Hrs, 10 Minutes Break: Washroom, 2 -3 Mt Deep Breaths, Check IMP Calls/Messages. Short Responses, But No Calls Unless V. Urgent • Very Short Nap: 10 -15 Minutes After Lunch, 5 -7 Minutes At Other Times If Required. Extremely Refreshing • Moments Before Sleep and After Waking Up Extremely Imp. Sets Tone For Peaceful Sleep And +ve Mood For the Day. Destress Through Meditation, Prayers, Gratitude, Affirmation, Remember 3 Good Things in the Day, Positive Self-Talk & Visualization • Sleep Deprivation: Most Common. Very Unhealthy For Body & Mind. Not Just No. Of Hrs, Proper Hrs & Above Practice Imp For Good Recharge 21

Study Efficiency Tips-Details On Web Page § Attending Lectures: Make Best Use. Read 1 Page Notes For Prev Lecture For Continuity. Read ½ Page Note About Current Lecture. Gives Tremendous Psychological Boost. Overcomes Inertia. Feel Enthu § Front Bench Mentality (Not Necessarily Physical): Full Concentration § Ask Questions Wherever Possible-Even Intent Is Good Enough § Take Notes W/O Losing Focus on Lecture-Learn The Art § Take 1 Mt Deep Breaths At The Commencement. Recharges Brain, Mind & Body 22

§ During Studies: Have Good Study Friend Circle. Have One Good Partner § Know Exactly Study Module Objective: Reading, Notes Prep, Prob Solving-Be Very Specific § While Reading Underline/Highlight IMP Pts for Enhancing Concentration and Taking Down Notes. § Speed Reading: If You Are Short of Time, This Works Best Due To Fierce Concentration. Run Blunt Pencil Over The Matter As If You Are About to Underline Something Imp. Try During Exam Prep § Prepare Separate Brief Notes For Exam & One Page Note For Reading Before Next Lecture. Familiarity Enhances Efficiency. Psycho Conf Boost § Explain Topics to Each Other-Best Way To Learn 23

§ Problem Solving: Keep Brief Notes, Formulae Handy. Begin With Solved Problem, Understand Approach. § Unsolved Problems (Tut & Good Books): Distribute with a Partner. Solve Your Share & Explain to Other & Vice Versa. § Keep A Sharp Eye on Critical Points and Steps. Note Down For Reading Before Exam-No Time to Solve Problems § Try Mock Tests As Far As Possible 24

Joyful Mood-Efficiency Game Changer o Love-Harmony-Peace-Joy-Success o Why Joyfulness Is Important? Healthy, and Peaceful Mind and Body. Efficient Thoughts and Action. Handle Setbacks Better. Improves Confidence, Charisma, Creativity, Emotional Resilience, Popularity, Courage & Success o Great Joy Riddle: Everyone Wants Continuous Joy, Very Few Get It. o Reason: We Look For Only Transient Joy (Physical, mental). Contradiction in Desire and Results. 25

§ We Postpone Joy: Fruits of Action. Goal Achievement. Contradiction. § Comparison of Past, Present And Future: Lose Interest In Present. § Joyful Action: Do Everything With Joy. § Joy an Inside Job: What Can You Control? Not Others, Circumstances, Results. Only Our Thinking And Actions. Don’t Beg for Happiness. § Serenity Prayer: God, Give Me Courage and Strength to Change what I Can; Serenity to Accept What Can’t Be Changed; and Wisdom to Know the Difference. 26

§ Always Do Your Best : No Comparison, No Resistance, No Worries, Stress. § Comparison, Competition-Disharmony-Stress- Unhappiness-High Cost Success. Comparison Useful For Inspiration. Event Participation Good § Research: If You Are Unaware of the Competition (No. of Candidates) Performance Better. Trick-Do It Knowingly § A Joyful Alternative: Joyfully Improve Wherever You Are. Seek and Give Help. Bonding Improves Individual and Organization. Joyful Journey. 27

§ You Can’t Do Great Things in Life. But, You Can Do Small Things With Great Love-Mother Theresa: Road to Greatness § Love & Passion Makes Tasks Effortless-Master Key to Productivity & Success § Law of Attraction: Good Attracts Good. Bad Attracts Bad-Persons, Situations § Seed First, Crop Later-Universal law: Love, Respect, Happiness For Others First. Quality Seed, Quality Care. Bountiful, Quality Output 28

PRACTICE HAPPINESS • Practice Happiness: Practice Whatever You Want to Be Good in. Studies, Games, Happiness. • We Practice Unhappiness Unknowingly. Negative Talk, Media • Behave Like a Joyful Person: Relaxed, Smiling, Smart Appearance. Body Posture, Voice, Caring. • You Are Defined By Your Company-Thoughts, Friends • Emotional Equilibrium: Acceptance(Adventure). Uncertainty-Resistance(Fear), Other’s Good Resistance(Jealousy), Acceptance(Inspiration). Performance 29

Thought Conditioning § Past Prog: Family, Society, Religion, Country. § Thoughts-Feelings-Attitude-Personality-Destiny. § Fierce +ve Attitude, Not Just Talent Make Greats Like Tendulkar, Kohli § Many Persons With Ltd Talent & Fierce Attitude Phenomenally Successful § Deliberate Reprogramming: Positive. § Keep Good Company, Good reading, Listening, Viewing. § Thought Types: Pure, Necessary, Negative, Waste. 30 § Last Two 95 %: Huge Energy, Time wastage.

• Improve +ve Thinking: Slide and Substitution Strategies. • Observe Negativity Fast: 1 Hr, Then 1 day. • Develop +ve Self Image: Self-Love (Miracle Cure), Self. Appreciation • Always Try +ve Self-Talk & Visualization. • Acceptance: Circumstances, Persons Without Negativity. • Peace With Past and Future: Can’t Drive Looking Into Rear View Mirror, Or Looking Too Far Ahead-Both Dangerous 31

§ Mind: Impressions From All Around. Good Slave, Bad Master § Love, Prayers, Gratitude, Acceptance: Foundations of Jofyulness § Love: Yourself- Most Imp. Accept What You Are-Lovingly. § Love Body: Good Food, Rest, Exercise. Your Only & MIMP Vehicle For Life Journey § Love Mind: Peace, Good Thoughts. Loving Control. Your Driver. Far More Important Than Body § Mental & Physical Muscles: Use Them Or Lose Them 32

MEDITATION § Body-Bath, Wash Room, Weather Dep Comforts. § Mind Also Needs Cleaning (-ve Thoughts, Stress), Comforts (+ve Thoughts, Reading). § Begin with 2 Minute Meditation. Increase Slowly. § Deep Breathing: Few Deep Breaths- Anytime, Anywhere- Great Effects on Brain and Mind. § Mindfulness: VIMP Practice. Non-judgmental Observation. Step Counting, Mantra Chanting. Mindful, Deep Breathing Is Meditation § 10 Minute Meditation Improved GRE Scores, Avoided Stupid Mistakes. 33

Prayers, Affirmations, Gratitude § Love Others: Appreciate, Gratitude, Help- Physical, Psychological, Prayers, Financial- As Per Comfort. Essential For Harmony. § Love Nature/God/Universe: Align Great Forces-Prayers, Gratitude. § Prayers: MIMP. Pray for Everyone. Even for Those who Hurt. § Pray For Clarity, Guidance in Problem Solving. No Time Frame. Sleep After Deep Prayers. § Affirmations: VIMP, Deliberate Mind Prog Tech. Virus Cleaning. § Auto Suggestions to Subconscious Mind. 34

§ Select What You Want to Improve. § Affirm 3 Times: Morning, AN, Evening-Loudly, With Love, Joy, Belief. Keep on Cards/Mobile/Desktop- Continuous Exposure. § Examples: “I am Serene, Tranquil and happy”, “Every Day, In Every way, I am Getting Better and Better”. § Gratitude: For Everything, Everyone in Life. Remember Few Before Sleep. Journal of Gratitude § Gratitude Attracts More Things to Be Grateful- Attraction. § Journal Of Excellence: Record All Good Past Achievements-Any Area. § Every day, Before Sleep, Recollect 3 Good Things. Repeat Joy 35

§ Love, Prayers, Gratitude, Appreciation, Respect. Not to Oblige Others, For Your Own Detoxification § Being Unselfish is the Most Selfish Thing § Smile and Laughter: Deliberate, Even in Difficult Period- Improves Mood. Do it In front of Mirror. § Joyful Living: A Lifelong Journey. § Continuous War Between Good/Bad, Gradual Improvement. § Patience, Perseverance Very Imp. 36

Improving Self-Esteem § Self-Esteem: Feeling Worthy of All Good in Life § Must For Happiness & Success § Must Be Decided By You Alone, Not Others, Circumstances, Failures § Loving Self-acceptance, Self-Appreciation, Selfassurance, Incremental Challenges 37

Relationships § Loving Relationships of All Kinds: Basic Human Need § Natural Urge At Young Age : Obsession Creating Havoc With Careers. Unhealthy Comparison, Competition-Stress, Inefficiency § Become Worthy of Good Relationships. You Become a Magnet. No Need To Chase & Compete-Highly Stressful, Goal Damaging. § Enjoy Friendship. Let Partner Type Relationship Evolve & Happen At Appropriate Time 38

CONCLUSIONS § You Are Creator of Your Destiny § Love For Work, Others, Prerequisite For All Good in Life. § Relationship: Sacred. Become Magnet For Good Relations By Becoming Worthy. Beware of Havoc Due To Unhealthy Relationship § Integrate Everything With The Life Goal: Being Always Joyful § Enjoy The Process. Do Your Best. Success Will Chase You § You Never Fail, Your Preparation Fails, Attitude Fails-Can Improve Both § You Can Improve Any Time, From Anywhere & Almost Anything 39

Thanks! 40