How to Start Managing Your Time Better Beginning Today
You know the frustration. You put in a full day. You worked hard.
But you didn’t even touch that important project.
You’ve been meaning to. You intended to do it. It was first on your list.
But the message isn’t written.
The strategic plan isn’t done.
The analysis that could turn your organization around didn’t even get started.
All of this despite the fact that you stayed late and showed up at home tired and barely in time for dinner. Okay, you missed dinner.
So why is that?
Here’s an insight I hope can make a significant difference not only to your productivity at work, but to your life.
I think it has the potential to change not just how you lead, but how you live.
You ready?
The reason you don’t get the most important things done is:
No one asked you to do it.
Ever notice that?
Nobody ever asks you to get the most important thing on your list done.
No one ever asks you to:
- Write your message or next talk.
- Plan for the future.
- Take time off so you can be there for your wife and kids.
- Create space in your calendar to think.
- Read a book.
- Accomplish your dreams.
- Care for your soul.
- Get eight hours sleep.
I mean think about it.
When was the last time someone stopped you in the hall and said “Hey I just want to make sure you’ve got enough time this week to do an incredible job on your talk this weekend. Oh, and I’ve take steps to rearrange your schedule to create some white space for you to pray, reflect and really work through the ideas.”
Exactly. Never.
Or how about this?
“We’ve canceled all your weeklies and booked you into hotel room so you can work on the 18 month strategic plan uninterrupted.
Or “I’m going to not ask for an hour of your time at 4:00 so you can home and throw the football with your son.”
No, just the opposite.
They ask for an hour of your time at 4:00 precisely because they have no idea you were going use that time to build into your 5 year old.
To them, it’s just an hour. To you, it’s the 47th request you’ve received that day.
The slice people want of you rarely—if ever—coincides with where your true priorities need to be.
So guess who has to guard your most important priorities?
You do.
Nobody sees what’s critical as much as you see it.
Most of us usually see our days dissipate among a string of small and large cumulative demands.
So what can you do to start managing your time better starting today?
Book an appointment with yourself to work on what’s truly important and stick to it.
And then:
- Don’t answer email, texts or the phone.
- Politely rebuff all interruptions.
- Tell people you have a commitment and can’t meet with them.
- Explain you’d love to but it will have to wait.
And then get to work.
I book an all day appointment with myself every Monday and every Wednesday to work on strategic priorities, series and messages.
I don’t go into the office (I work from home).
I almost never take appointments.
My assistant and I tell people I’m not free (which is true, by the way).
And I drill down as best I can on what matters most.
So…book an appointment with yourself today, and tomorrow, and the day after. Explain to everyone that you’d love to meet/help/assist but are not free.
It’s not their fault that they can’t see what’s most important to you or your organization.
That’s your responsibility as a leader.
And remember, nobody is ever going to randomly ask you to work on what’s truly most important.
That’s your job.
If you really want to drill down on this, here are 5 other posts and a great free resource that can help you start managing priorities better today:
Why You Can’t Have 5 Minutes of My Time.
7 Signs You Don’t Value Your Time
Who Wants More Time? (a guide to creating a fixed calendar)
Can't find the time to get it all done? Become a high-impact leader without burning out (or sacrificing yourself).
Without a new strategy and approach, it's easy to continue to:
- Sacrifice family on the altar of work
- Overcommit and underdeliver
- Have no time for what you actually want to do
- Struggle to get time off to refuel and relax
Worst of all, other people—other tasks, jobs, and projects—will continue to hijack your life.
It’s time to change that by implementing a strategy that works.
At Your Best is a proven strategy to get your time, energy, and priorities working in your favor. It's my step-by-step online course that will help you overcome stress, find a sustainable pace without losing impact, and be far more productive at work.
50,000+ leaders have used the At Your Best strategy to escape the stress spiral and finally do what they want to do—grow their organizations, advance their careers, launch new ventures, be far more present at home, and take regular time off.
Whatever you choose to do with it is up to you. Join today for instant access.
Wow! I didn’t realize I was in desperate need of this message and system in my life and business.
Sean Cannell, Founder and CEO, Think Media
This message so profoundly impacted us, that we named our annual company theme, “At Our Best,” using Carey’s system and resources to strengthen our culture and make health a priority this year.”
