Do you know how many PCs were disposed of in 2004–as in, working PCs? According to news reports published last year, a whopping 315 million. And in 2005, one hundred million cell phones suffered the same fate.  From those numbers, you can conjure up an estimate of what 2008 will bring.

It’s sad but true that most high-tech equipment is relegated to landfill so their users can buy something faster, more rich with features . . . sexier, some might say.

Unfortunately, such new products do very little to actually make us more productive or fulfilled. Consumers may hope their purchase will save them valuable time, instantly making them more efficient and productive. They may even think they’re practicing good time management. The truth is, they would be much better off taking a good time management training course.

Confusing the use of high-tech equipment with good time management can even lead to tragedy. We all read about the California train engineer who missed seeing a red light because he was so engrossed with a text message from a teenager. He may have even imagined he was saving a few minutes by taking care of the communication before his train reached the next station.

Of course technological marvels can be convenient. Couples shopping together in a big supermarket can use their cell phones to find out exactly where the other one is, or seeing if they’ve already bought something. But don’t equate a convenient technology with a proven key organization system.

And try not to outsmart yourself by avoiding the expense of a truly effective high-tech purchase. One former user of Paper Tiger software told me he’d wanted to recreate that product’s great functionality by setting up an Excel spreadsheet and doing keyword searches to find his filed documents. I suggested he just buy the software instead, and maybe putting a completed time management worksheet in his first new file.

“Do you think you’ve saved money by trying to do that yourself, instead of just buying the software?” I asked. “Isn’t your time really worth more than that?”

We all need to understand the major difference between the minor convenience of a digital marvel and the solid benefits of a key organization system. The former is easily purchased; the latter takes an investment of your time and commitment.

If finding enough time to do what you want each day is a challenge, consider turning to a pro who offers time management training and consulting. You’ll achieve greater dividends, over a much longer time frame.