Rule 6 There is no such thing as a vacuum.

Have you ever thought that a pitcher is never empty? As you pour the milk out, air pours in. The same is true of riding your River of Life. The size of your boat is determined by the 24 hours in a day. What you load in that boat is up to you.

If you load your boat with sand, you're loading it with busy work and will not be able to load the big things that are important to you. If you load the big things first, you can then add sand to fill up the spaces. Just don't overload your boat. You'll end up swamping. They call it burn out

So how do you budget your time? Here are some suggestions.

You need to know where you want to go. And, understand that it takes time to reach port.

Keep an eye on the horizon. Make sure you're headed in the right direction and plan your course. Don't forget to consider all your resources including, time and money, property and energy, relationships and health.

Once you've looked at the big picture, focus on the small stuff. Understand each small steps you have to take to reach port. Understand that the currents are always changing. Take advantage of the currents, but when you are carried of course be ready to make the corrections you need to reach your port.

Understand you can't control the tides. Don't worry about the things you can't control. Just concentrate on steering a course that will keep you off the rocks.

Indecision can swamp your boat. If you are riding a big wave, you're going to have to paddle with finesse and intuition in order to avoid a wipeout.

Cheap boats cost too much, and easy journeys are seldom worth while. You have to be prepared. That's why education is so important. I believe, the G.I. Bill, that sent so many world war two veterans to school, fueled the prosperity of this country for 30 years. It was the best investment this country has ever made in his people.

A routine visit to the dry dock is vital to your success. Take care of your health and continue to learn.

Without a deadline, you may never leave port When you know your goal you have to set your course. The objectives you set will guide you navigation. Objectives need to be small, measurable steps that have a deadline. When you set measurable objectives you will know you are on track to your goal. If you have to make a course correction, measurable objectives will prevent you from going far off track.
Balance your boat. Protect your health. Take time for your family and other things that are important to you. The neglected crew usually jump ship. Do family things together, and protect and nurture your friends.

Take time for the scenic route. If you stick to the freeway, you're going to miss a lot. Take time to enjoy the beauty along the river.

Finally, the captain sets the course. You have to be captain of your own fate. Know the things that are important to you and understand your values. If your values are in conflict with those of your boss, you need to make a course adjustment. Even better, when you are the captain, you can do what you want when you want and concentrate on those things you value.

A goal is what you want to accomplish. The objectives you set guide you to the goal. To be effective and objective has to be something you can accomplish in a relatively short time; it has to be measurable, and it must have a deadline. When you have an objective that is both measurable and set to a deadline, you will know if you're on course.

In nature, and in your life, there is no such thing as a vacuum. Sand, the small stuff, will always fill your life. Make sure you load the big stuff, the stuff that will lead you to your goal, before he lets the sand dominate your life.

From the book Navigating Life by Lynn Sager