The Time Trap: The Classic Book on Time Management

Rating:
Summary: My Time Management Bible
Review: This book has now become my Time Management Bible, and I have recommended it to all my friends. I am also purchasing several as presents for my team members. As an in-house attorney with multiple demands on my time, I have always felt pulled in many different directions, subject to constant interruption, and moving from one meeting to another, collecting more work to do in the process, but without finding the time to actually do the work except for nights and weekends. This book has put an end to that, and has put me back in control of my schedule. I now, literally, have more time to do what is truly important. I can't recommend this book strongly enough. It is concise, well-written, and attacks the heart of the time management problem. Even in describing this book to friends, I am immediately bombarded with questions about "what does he say on this or that," and I have answers from the book that speak directly to their concerns. A remarkable achievement. Do yourself a favor and get this book.

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the first but certainly one of the best of its kind
Review: This book was written in 1972. It's still selling okay on Amazon and you know it's really a classic.

The content is as ordinary as what you can expect from any time management book. However, you got to accept that it's the avante garde of its day and the regular revision of it allows it to stay fresh. Topics include: Time management is essentially life management. Prioritize. Plan. Tactics to fight off unexpected phone calls, drop in visitors, procrastination, delegation, learn to say no blah blah blah. In particular I like very much those sample spreadsheets (the author called them matrix) for contingency, priorization, contact log etc much. Appendixes in the last chapter that summarize tactics for various symptoms or traps are really helpful.

In short, a good read that's value for time and money!

p.s. I like the section of "Misconceptions about time management" on page 11 and 12 the most. Those very logical and intelligent Q&A simply worths over half of the price of the book to me. Some copy and paste for your reference are:-

Q: Time management takes away your freedom, and I'm a spontaneous sort of person. A: "True freedom comes through discipline. Suppose you were suddenly offered an opportunity to stay at a friend's house....Are you organized enough to reschedule your work so you could go? That's freedom!"

Q: Time management might be good for some kinds of work, but my job is very creative. I cant be tied to a routine. A: "Time management is not fundamentally about routine; it's about self discipline....It gives you time to be creative. It frees your mind of the worry and tedious detail that stand in the way of creative thinking."

Q: The stuff they teach you in time management is a lot of work. I dont have time to do all that. A: "You dont have time not to. Keepinga time log and writing a daily plan may be new to you...Once you learn how, a few minutes can save you hours."


Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: This is a fanstastic book. Easy to read, and the reason I like it better than other time management books, is the author gets into your head and understands why you resist doing things that you should. He would have made a great method actor or psychiatrist.