What If You Can’t Tame Time Management?

If you take any book on time management, then the image of a successful and productive person, disciplined and able to control his time, run through it as a red thread, and thus he achieves his goals by the required deadline. This person is punctual, pedantic, uses a diary or special devices on a computer or phone.

But this image is not for everyone. Most people, even if they follow all the recommendations written in the books, still cannot become such a person for one simple reason — they are different. And books with the usual, albeit super effective, time management system, based on goal setting and prioritization, are not suitable for them. The question arises — what to do?

Well-known sciences such as software (socionics, physiognomy, and others) have long been using various characteristics of a person, they have classified people into different types and subtypes, but they can all be divided into two large categories: rational and irrational.

Econs are consistent people, systematic and organized, they weigh and think over their every step. Irrational people are impulsive and spontaneous people, flexible, and able to improvise in non-standard situations.

Most systems for organizing and managing time are designed for rationalists, and absolutely do not suit irrationalists. When the irrational tries to train himself to plan, he breaks himself, swims against the tide, and goes against his nature. And what is the threat of such withdrawal? The irrational simply burn out, life according to the schedule becomes unbearable, motivation is lost and labor efficiency decreases. Therefore, the best work option for an irrational is to work for oneself or work in a relaxed creative atmosphere where there are no hard and fast rules.

This is not fair. Indeed, the world is full of information on how rationalists can unleash their potential, but there are very few recommendations for unlocking the potential of irrational people. And these recommendations are little known. Therefore, our advice is aimed at ensuring that irrespective did not break their character and did not go against their nature, but were also able to become successful and productive.

But first, decide which category you belong to. Below are the main characteristics of both categories.

Signs of rationalists:

• like to make a plan and act according to it. As a rule, they have a global goal and several small goals leading to the main one.
• the efficiency of the rational does not depend on the mood. They tune in to work even if the emotional state is not up to the task.
• they are not bothered by monotonous work

• they like to be in control
• they can’t stand the unforeseen circumstances that force the whole plan to be redone. If uncertainty drags on, it leads to stress.
• there is always a backup plan or other ways to achieve the goal. If one does not work, try another.
• they study new material sequentially if they read a book, then from beginning to end.
• in the morning they are planning to eat for dinner, and in the middle of the week, they are planning a trip to the supermarket for groceries for the weekend.
• they like to order in everything so that each thing is in its place.

Icons can be compared to train drivers who plan their route, time, and duration of stops. They always arrive at their destination on time with an accuracy of the minute and do not like unforeseen train delays very much.

The great potential of rationalists.

Rationals have every chance of becoming a professional in one chosen area. They think over their actions, fulfill the planned schedule, punctuality and speed are inherent in them. They are appreciated for the quality of their work, they can become gurus in their field.

Successful rationalists are the very image that irrationalists passionately, but unsuccessfully, strive for. They strive because they do not know about their potential and how to realize it.

So, it’s time to define the basic signs of irrationality and find out what their potential is.

Signs of irrational:

• have a huge variety of ideas and strive to excel in different areas
• if one cannot achieve one goal, he will switch to another. Unlike rationalists who change the way they achieve one goal
• performance is highly dependent on mood. And if in a bad mood the rational will pull himself together and just work, then the irrational will postpone the planned work until later.

• the monotony and monotony kill them. They love to do work in the form of a game and therefore often come up with new approaches to do the same job.
• they do not like to put things in order and they are not worried that things do not lie in their places. They coined the term “creative mess”.

• impulsive and unpredictable, in unforeseen situations they act quickly and efficiently. They are not worried about the lack of control over the situation.
• trying to operate according to generally accepted time management systems, fail.
• it is difficult for them to study new material in a strict sequence, so the motivation falls. They like to jump ahead and read more interesting chapters.
• talking about something the irrational is often distracted by extraneous topics, then returns to the main topic and again is distracted.
• it is difficult for irrationalists to answer such questions as: “What will you eat for dinner?”, “How long will you be visiting?”, “How long do you need to do this work?”;

An irrational can be compared to the driver of a car, who at any time can deviate from the route and take a different road. For example, if there is a traffic jam ahead, they quickly turn around and go around it. If a friend suddenly called on an urgent matter, he turns around and goes in the opposite direction.

It is much more difficult for train drivers to react quickly to unforeseen situations than motorists. But they are more likely to reach their destination than drivers who constantly change direction.

The great potential of irrational.

Successful irrational people are rare. But if they come across, then to the depths of the soul they surprise others. These are people who manage to run three businesses, play two sports, learn several languages, spend time with family, travel constantly, attend new seminars and meet new people and visit different places during the day. Very often they are successful in different areas and give the impression of people who manage to do a hundred children at the same time.

Do you want to know how they do it and become just as successful? Read the continuation in the next article, in which we will talk about spontaneous planning, which will help to unleash the full potential of the irrational and become as effective as possible without breaking yourself and your habits.