The Problem with Prescriptions

Prescriptions are pretty useful when they come from a doctor. However, they are dangerous when they come from a time management guru.

For example, one guru went so far as to require that users redefine everyday words such as “Now”, “Occasion” and “Concern”. The result was predictable – language that is difficult to learn is quickly lost when too much of it is thrown at an adult learner too quickly.

The problem that a guru has is that in two days, they attempt to cram 6 days of material (or months, or years) into the heads of students who are hearing the concepts for the first time. The “better” the guru, the more the concepts.

The thing is, they might really be good concepts! It may have taken years of dedicated work to get the guru to the point where they are as productive as they are, and in their haste to make a difference with their pupils, they try to teach, demonstrate or elucidate the end-result.

Instead, they should be selling them the process.

After all, in the martial arts, a good instructor does not give his pupils at different levels the kind of exercises that a black belt does, unless they are black belts or close to it. Instead, he or she focuses them on the exercises that are the right ones for their level. He or she reinforces the process over and over again, letting them know that the journey takes time, and that at each point they need only focus on what is front of them, and what may be slightly ahead.

In 2Time, the goal is similar. Instead of a guru-driven “final solution”, the goal is to teach someone how to change their own habits, while following a path for development that is common to all professionals when it comes to managing their time. In other words, the 2Time student follows their own inner wisdom, and can decide to stop going any further in the belt system at any point.

However, in most time management systems, the solution is presented in all or nothing manner. The good student tries to grasp it all, and to change their language and habits all at once. They succeed for a week.

Then, they fall off the wagon.

And drop right back into their old habits.