This is Time Management 101 from someone who has failed at Pomodoro, Notion, bullet journals, and even that viral 5 AM club (bro, Bangalore traffic starts at 6 AM, what 5 AM?). Here’s what actually works when your mom calls during deep work, the power goes off, and Zomato notifications are your personality.
Rule 1: Accept That Indian Time Management is a Myth
We don’t have “meetings that start on time”. We have “Indian Standard Time” (add 15–45 minutes to everything). Stop fighting it. Build your system around the chaos, not against it.
Rule 2: The 3-Task Rule (Because 27 Tasks is Delusion)
Every night I write exactly 3 tasks for tomorrow on a sticky note and slap it on my monitor. Example from yesterday:
- Finish client deck (non-negotiable)
- Call mom (she’ll call 17 times if I don’t)
- Gym OR walk (no negotiation with the OR)
Everything else? Goes into a “maybe someday” list that I ignore peacefully.
Rule 3: The “2-Minute Startup” Hack
First 2 minutes after waking up Time Management:
- Drink water
- Make bed
- Open curtains
These 2 minutes decide if your day will be productive or if you’ll be doomscrolling by 9:15 AM. Science says small wins create momentum .
Rule 4: Time Blocking (Desi Edition)
I block my Google calendar like a psychopath:
- 9:30–11:30 → Deep work (phone in another room, on airplane mode)
- 11:30–11:45 → Chai + Instagram guilt
- 12:00–1:00 → Meetings (because India)
- 3:00–3:15 → Power nap (15 minutes max, set 3 alarms)
Pro tip: Label deep work blocks with dramatic names like “EMPIRE BUILDING HOURS”. Makes you feel less stupid for protecting them.
Rule 5: The “Eat the Frog” but Make it Indian
Do the scariest task first. For me that’s usually:
- Opening the client email I’ve been ignoring for 4 days
- Calling the bank (hold music = national anthem)
- Replying to “beta kab shaadi karoge” relatives
I do it before 10 AM when my willpower hasn’t been murdered by Slack yet.
Rule 6: The Phone is the Enemy (But We’re Addicted)
Realistic solutions only:
- During deep work → Phone in kitchen drawer, wrapped in a sock (yes, really)
- WhatsApp → Turn off notifications for all groups except “Family Official” (they’ll disown you otherwise)
- Instagram → Use “Take a Break” feature and actually take the break
Rule 7: The 7 PM Shutdown Ritual
At 7 PM sharp:
- Laptop closes
- One sticky note for tomorrow’s 3 tasks
- Phone on charger in living room
- Walk to thela for chai or just stare at the sky
This is non-negotiable. The day ends. Work can scream, it’ll still be there tomorrow.
Results After 90 Days of This Madness
- I finish my 3 tasks 6 days out of 7
- I reach 7 PM with energy left (to watch reels guilt-free)
- My mom stopped asking “beta thik ho?” every day
- I actually read 9 books this year (paper ones, not PDFs I never opened)
Time management isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less, but doing it deliberately.
Start tonight. Take a sticky note. Write 3 tasks for tomorrow. Stick it somewhere you can’t ignore.
Then come back and tell me—did your day feel even 1% less like a fever dream? I’m the guy who finally ate the frog instead of letting it eat him. I believe in you.
