Something has come back onto my radar screen that I haven’t addressed in some time. Perhaps it is because I put it out there. Perhaps it is a shift in our environment that has brought it back to the forefront. The issue is time management.
In a recent presentation, I shared that this is often one of the first issues brought up when I work with a business owner or leader or an individual contributor. Success abounds but they are wrung to all ends and STRESSED. A flat tire, a sick child or vacationing employee puts them behind the 8-ball fast. Time management is also blamed for lack of communication and collaboration with team members. That feeling that we are rowing hard but in different directions.
Experience has taught me that “time management” is the symptom and further investigation will reveal the real culprit(s). Time is real yet also an imagined concept. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, month and years are things we have created to track and acknowledge that our world is in constant forward motion, with the next minute soon becoming the past. How’s that for a bit of pressure? That simple statement made my heart rate increase. No wonder we are stressed.
What if we think of time in a different way? Instead of continually slipping through our hands, we harness time for our benefit. We can use the clock to establish boundaries ensuring that the most important things get accomplished.
What would this look like? First identify the most important things in your work and personal life. No, not everything is important. Commonly heard are my family, friends, time for me, work and career. Now look at your calendar.
Problem #1 – there is nothing on the calendar except meetings or appointments that other people have scheduled. This includes business, social and family meetings (school, sports, etc.) and maintenance check-ups like dentist and doctor. These aren’t problems but they emphasize that control of your time is represented only by what other people have established. Oh.
Problem #2 – recognition of Problem #1 now highlights the lack of other maintenance appointments such as working out or simply free time.
Problem #3 – few items that were identified as priorities ever appear on the calendar.
Problem #4 – is working from a to-do list rather than scheduling things on your calendar. Lists are not evil they just don’t help us get things done. A grocery lists reminds what is needed when we go to the store. It does not ensure that we get to the store. Planning a time to go to the store makes sure the items on the list are addressed. Not scheduling items on a to-do list serves as a reminder of the enormity of what needs to be accomplished and the guilt of not doing it, as there is no time scheduled to get it done. No wonder we are stressed.
What’s on your calendar? Is it taking you where you want to go?