Make Time for More Time

Ask any busy executive for a list of their most pressing needs, and having more time will probably show up among the top three items. No surprise. Getting a handle on this important but elusive idea requires a different way of thinking.

The paradox of time is that we have all there is. How is it then, that there never seems to be enough?

The notion of “time management” is a flawed concept, since we really can’t manage time, we can only manage ourselves, our activities and most of all, our choices. One three-step approach goes like this:

• Step 1: Establish your priority list, things you must get done today.
• Step 2: Keep a list of all the task items you work on during the day.
• Step 3: At the end of the day, compare the two lists and be prepared to be horrified. You probably got very few priority items started, let alone finished. What’s going on here?

Beginning with a well-thought-out list of key priorities is a worthy start. The list should include three to seven items (remember if everything is a priority, then nothing is). Next, match these priorities with their potential impact; that is, what will happen if these are achieved and what will be missed if they are not. Your priorities should be tied directly to your annual objectives, then broken down into quarterly, monthly, and weekly initiatives.

Next, create what I call a “time budget.” We wouldn’t think of trying to run our business without a financial budget. After all, how would we be able to keep track of our progress without a budget? Well, the same principle holds for our time. If it really is as precious as we say, it deserves the same attention and planning as our money does. That means a budget. And a plan.

Laying out in advance how much time you plan to allocate to each of your key activities tied to your strategic objectives will serve as a useful guide as you plan your day, week, month, and quarter. Most importantly, it will also indicate how much “discretionary” time you will have for other items, those pesky things that always seem to take us off course.

So far, so good. Setting a course is a start; staying on track is a different matter entirely. More on this next time.

For more information on ways to establish and accomplish your key priorities, contact me at joe@ajstrategy.com