Time Management - Marc Mancini
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102<br />
<strong>Time</strong> <strong>Management</strong><br />
Normally an easy feat for a professional tightrope walker,<br />
the challenge was made difficult by the breezes that were<br />
sweeping through the gap between the two buildings. Suddenly,<br />
a great gust blew Wallenda off balance. Observers reported that,<br />
as he stumbled, Wallenda could have easily reached out and<br />
grabbed the tightrope to stop his fall. Instead, he held tight to<br />
his balancing pole—all the way to his death.<br />
Karl Wallenda was fatally dependent on the most important<br />
tool of his trade, the balancing pole. In many ways, people are<br />
equally subservient to their own tools. When the tools fail, helplessness<br />
and panic result. Yet often, backup procedures are well<br />
within reach.<br />
Technological devices—unlike people—are dumb and unforgiving.<br />
They do not fix themselves. When they crash, that’s it.<br />
So, it’s vital that a backup system or procedure be in force to<br />
intervene. (The aerospace industry calls it “redundancy” and it’s<br />
one reason aircraft are so reliable.)<br />
For example, rather than get rid of that old IBM Selectric<br />
typewriter in your garage, keep it in storage in the event that<br />
your computer goes on the blink. How about that old, cheap,<br />
manual can opener? What happens if the power for the electric<br />
one goes out or the motor fails?<br />
Batteries<br />
One of the most time-consuming and potentially devastating<br />
causes of electronic equipment failure is a dead<br />
battery. It can wipe out the memory of your personal data organizer<br />
or disable the camera you need to record those new label designs. An<br />
uncharged battery can make useless your cell phone or laptop computer<br />
or the radio you keep on hand for civil emergencies or natural<br />
disasters.<br />
You should have a supply of batteries for all of your electronic<br />
devices wherever you use them—including your car and your suitcase.<br />
Sometimes, there simply isn’t time to go shopping for a replacement.<br />
And if the battery is integrated into the device (as in a cell phone),<br />
carry the recharger with you.