What I learnt about Time Management from Mumbai

Every time I visit Mumbai, this beautiful city of dreams teaches me a new lesson for life.

Amidst the thrill of almost missing my flight (inspite of starting 3 hours prior to my boarding time) and then catching up, I caught up on my breath at the airport, while waiting for my boarding announcement. ‘Mumbai Special’ Time Management – This is what stayed with me this time, as I sat and reflected on the last 4 eventful days at Mumbai. Yes, I call it eventful because it had all the key elements – the Mumbai rains, jam-packed traffic, water-logging red alerts, hectic work schedules, early morning timelines, Marine Drive, ‘vada pav’ and what not!

 Despite being ultra-glamorised, Mumbai rains create its fair share of challenges for the city dwellers. So, this time, I am jotting down few of my key takeaways and little stories on Time Management from Mumbai :

• Start early.

To live the life of a Mumbaikar, start your day as the Mumbaikars do. Plan your travel well. Start early, to avoid last minute traffic hassles. Keep a buffer of 1 hour over the time-estimate shown on Google Maps.

• Whistling pressure cookers at 4 AM, preparing ‘dabbas’.

I had an early morning appointment on Friday. So, my alarm was set for 4 AM. I was too excited from the previous night itself that I would witness sunrise after ages and that too in my favourite city – Mumbai!

I couldn’t have asked for anything more in life that night.

Soon enough, my eyes opened to an incessant sharp whistle from the pressure cooker. I took a quick look at the window with my half-opened eyes and then a glance at my phone. It was 3:55 AM. Basically, the neighbouring households were in full-fledged action and were gearing up for the day. They had begun their process of cooking and getting the quintessential ‘dabba’ (read : lunch box) ready.

I smiled at the spunky energy of Mumbai households. Then, my alarm buzzed at 4 AM and I got off my bed to join the mad rush on a typical Mumbai-special working day. 

• Umpteen takeaway counters sprawling across the city. People order and eat at home.

 Coming from a tier-2 city, the lightening speed and convenience at which food is delivered in a tier-1 city was bound to amaze me. I ordered a delicious breakfast of ‘Poha’ from Mi Marathi and boy, what heaven it was!

The next day I thought of taking a walk and sitting right in the restaurant and experience this awesomeness. To my dismay, I discovered that they had no dine-in facilities, just takeaway counters and such counters were abundant across the city. Undoubtedly people prefer resting at home and having a good meal with loved ones, instead of braving the odds of Mumbai traffic.

 So, no matter when you are hungry and what you specifically want to eat, if you are in Mumbai, you will get it all.

• The roads are never empty, filled with vehicles even when I took an early morning ride at 6 AM.

 The day I had an early morning work appointment, I was elated. On that pretext, I was supposed to experience the Mumbai sunrise for the first time and would have the empty Mumbai roads completely for myself. But I was so wrong! The roads were fleeting with vehicles even at 6 AM.

Nevertheless, my favorite part was the traffic was always moving, not jam-packed.

• The mad rush in Mumbai local trains.

Oh boy! Commuting in Mumbai local trains is an art in itself. You will definitely need some practising to get used to the act of hopping in and out of the trains. But once you master the act, Mumbai locals will be the only mode of transport you will look out for.

Undoubtedly, the local trains are the fastest mode of transport in Mumbai.

• The ever-accommodating taxi and auto drivers in Mumbai.

Whenever I am in Mumbai, I have had delightful memories with the local taxi and auto drivers. I might have been lucky for not having any unpleasant experience so far. For me, they definitely wear their hearts on their sleeves.

The best part is they respect your time and go out of their way to help you reach your destination on time. I’ll save the story on ‘Mumbai Auto-wallas’ for another blog post!

• If you plan to live in Mumbai, get used to public transport (read : local trains). Olas and Ubers will cost you a fortune.

On a week-long trip if you wish to lead a lavish travel style here, Olas and Ubers can always be at your disposal. But on a daily-basis, it can burn a hole in your pockets (unless you’re getting corporate reimbursements for travel, ofcourse).

The golden rule is – Adapt and get used to local trains!

• Comfort and convenience are affordable, NOT unavailable. If you opt for comfort, you need to spend money. Simple!

 This is so true, in case of Mumbai. This city has something for each one of us. You can indulge in Taj, as well as survive on roadside ‘Vada Pav’.

• Locals never complain. They accept Mumbai with all its traffic and commute hassles, as an invincible part of their life.

During all my stays in Mumbai, I have never heard a single person (especially who is born and brought up here) crib and complain. Life is super-fast in Mumbai and definitely difficult. But they accept it whole-heartedly and live life to their fullest.

For example – if they are stranded in the roads during Mumbai rains, the Mumbaikars focus more on finding a solution to safely reach their destination, instead of cribbing about the deploring conditions. If they have to start early to work because of the rains, they don’t mind that 3-hour long journey because they are mentally prepared.

I have so fallen madly in love with the attitude of Mumbai. Wish I could exactly describe!

Even though this was not my first visit to Mumbai, each trip to Mumbai introduces me to a brand new side of this beautiful city. The takeaways from this city always leave an indelible impression in my heart. Needless to say, time is most valued here in Mumbai and time indeed flies.