So you've been to a bunch of dinner parties lately, and you're getting a little fat. What do you do? Easy--stop snacking and hit the gym. Likewise if your wallet is getting a little slim: you set up a budget and stick to it. These two common problems have a simple--and simple to imagine--solution. But most people really can't imagine the solution to a time crunch.

I've taught Time Management for many years, and I've noticed that most students want a list of "e-z tips". That mentality might work with dieting ("keep a bag of celery in your purse!") or saving money ("buy last year's model!"), but it doesn't really work for Time Management. That's because time won't magically add up, like money or burned calories, unless you use what I call Vision.

You already have Vision, and you probably don't even know it. When you say to yourself, "Wow! I have to get to Target before it closes," or "I have to catch the 4:35", you are using Vision. You are seeing yourself doing a certain thing at a certain time. All kinds of other decisions flow from that Vision: deciding which route to the store will have the least traffic, which entrance to the train station is closest to your track, even how much longer you can afford to wait until you go. None of these decisions are difficult; they're just part of getting things done. But for various reasons, it's difficult for people to generalize short-term Vision into longer-term Time Management goals.

Teaching people to direct Vision toward longer-term goals is what my Time Management classes are all about. For most people, the first hurdle is that long-term Vision takes an investment in time. I teach people how to create a Vision quickly but effectively. The second hurdle is that most people's Visions are not well maintained. You wouldn't build a skyscraper by looking at the blueprint just once, then winging it, would you? And yet, most people try to manage time like this. I teach specific skills that lead to a consistent, well-maintained Vision.

Our ability to manage time can be affected by health, personal expectations, and even our communication style. There are many techniques to consider, many skills to master--and yes, there are plenty of "e-z tips" to learn. But before all of these comes Vision. You might know where you're going. You might have the car, you might have a map, and you might know whether the road is gravel, asphalt or dirt. But if the windshield is dirty and you can't see the way, you're headed for a crash. Get your Vision straight and you'll make excellent time!