– Nazeer Ahemed Kazi
In today’s world, very few people make full and proper use of time. For the diligent, time is always sufficient; for the lazy, it is never enough. Time waits for no one, consults no one; it moves forward endlessly on its own. Lost wealth, honour, respect, or position may be regained, but lost time never returns.
Time shows no favouritism. Everyone receives exactly 24 hours in a day. Expensive clocks may be bought, but no amount of money can purchase or extend even a single second. Therefore, one must value time and never waste it – for once it is gone, it is gone forever.
The Bhagavad Gita describes time as a powerful, divine force; it says it’s an expression of Sri Krishna and a vital element in both material and spiritual life. The Vedic literature contains many references to its importance. In Islam, time is regarded as God’s creation, a priceless gift, and a dimension of worship. Believers are encouraged to use it wisely for good deeds and to recognise its divine connection. The Qur’an highlights time as a sacred trust, warning that neglecting it for faith and good works leads to loss. Earthly time is limited, but eternal life awaits in the Hereafter.
The Bible too speaks of time, urging people to manage it well and make the best use of the present. King Hussein of Jordan once said: “I may be a king, but I am not rich enough to waste even a single minute.” Yet, some waste precious hours simply deciding how to spend them – often those who are idle and unmotivated. On the other hand, those with plenty of work often find time inadequate.
Today, many claim that people have wealth but no time. This is not because time is lacking, but because it is poorly managed. People lament, “There’s no time,” or complain that it flies by. In truth, time neither speeds up nor slows down – it moves steadily. The problem lies in our failure to plan and align our work properly.
In this technological age, with countless responsibilities, wasting time is no option. Time management is the key to success. Each day offers 24 hours; every individual should plan tasks in advance, allotting time for each. The golden rule remains: “Plan your work, and work your plan.” Once the schedule is ready, execution must begin without delay. Oversleeping ruins the entire plan, forcing tasks to be rushed and left incomplete.
As former President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan reminded us: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Work meant for today must be done today. Tomorrow’s work belongs to tomorrow, but who has seen tomorrow? Today comes only once.
Sadly, in our country, time management is often neglected. This is why “Indian Standard Time” has become synonymous with delay. Meetings and ceremonies rarely start on time; weddings and engagements seldom begin as scheduled. An officer who arrives late loses the moral right to question late subordinates. Flights are often delayed, and trains and buses run behind schedule. Many people who lack time-consciousness miss their transport altogether.
Time management is not merely useful; it’s essential for living a disciplined, successful, and fulfilling life.
[The writer is Professor, SECAB, Vijaypur, Karnataka]
