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Time Management
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Normally an easy feat for a professional tightrope walker,
the challenge was made difficult by the breezes that were
sweeping through the gap between the two buildings. Suddenly,
a great gust blew Wallenda off balance. Observers reported that,
as he stumbled, Wallenda could have easily reached out and
grabbed the tightrope to stop his fall. Instead, he held tight to
his balancing pole—all the way to his death.
Karl Wallenda was fatally dependent on the most important
tool of his trade, the balancing pole. In many ways, people are
equally subservient to their own tools. When the tools fail, help-
lessness and panic result. Yet often, backup procedures are well
within reach.
Technological devices—unlike people—are dumb and unfor-
giving. They do not fix themselves. When they crash, that’s it.
So, it’s vital that a backup system or procedure be in force to
intervene. (The aerospace industry calls it “redundancy” and it’s
one reason aircraft are so reliable.)
For example, rather than get rid of that old IBM Selectric
typewriter in your garage, keep it in storage in the event that
your computer goes on the blink. How about that old, cheap,
manual can opener? What happens if the power for the electric
one goes out or the motor fails?

Batteries
One of the most time-consuming and potentially devas-
tating causes of electronic equipment failure is a dead
battery. It can wipe out the memory of your personal data organizer
or disable the camera you need to record those new label designs. An
uncharged battery can make useless your cell phone or laptop com-
puter or the radio you keep on hand for civil emergencies or natural
disasters.
You should have a supply of batteries for all of your electronic
devices wherever you use them—including your car and your suitcase.
Sometimes, there simply isn’t time to go shopping for a replacement.
And if the battery is integrated into the device (as in a cell phone),
carry the recharger with you.