When thinking about time management, how much time do we actually have, can we manage it, or is it about prioritizing it?
It is realistic to think that time management will bring success?
Is time management actually possible? Time management, if there is such a thing is certainly unique to each individual.
We all have the same 1440 minutes in a day. Likewise, we all have 96 15-minute blocks of time in one day.
It is a necessity to give 32 15-minute blocks to rest. Sleep is so important for physical and emotional health as well as for productivity. That leaves 64 15-minute blocks of time to do life, work, and build relationships.
Time management and choice.
How you use this time is your choice. You get to choose how you spend your time and what you do with the time you are given each day. Notice, I didn’t say you get to manage how your spend your time, I said you get to choose how you spend your time.
Time is not manageable. We all have the exact same amount of time every day.
Whether we have enough time or not is dependent on the choices we make and how we choose to use the 64 15-minute blocks of time. You can accomplish a lot in 15-minutes if you choose to use the minutes wisely. Losing yourself in the scroll on Instagram is not going to produce results. But, using 15-minutes to write a blog post, create a list of content for the week, schedule appointments, listen to a podcast, exercise, pray, get fresh air, or make a healthy meal, will produce positive results.
Time management – doing versus playing
How much time do you spend doing versus how much time do you spend playing?
Playing includes distractions. But it is important to break down distractions. There are beneficial distractions and there are meaningless distractions.
Beneficial distractions bring us back to our creative center and enable us to focus
- take time to pause and refuel
- engage in creative activities to reset and find inspiration
- exercise and stretch to get the blood flowing
Meaningless distractions
- scrolling on social media
- activities that don’t move your forward or don’t need to be done to accomplish a goal or reset your creative energy
How do you determine beneficial versus meaningless distractions when thinking about time management?
Ask yourself how you feel after allowing yourself the distraction.
Do you feel rejuvenated and creating and ready to focus?
Or, do you feel irritated or frustrated that you wasted time?
Let’s use binge-watching a TV show as an example. You could also use scrolling on social media as an example.
For some, this may be rejuvenating and a great way to do something mindless that replenishes you. But for others, this can be seen as a complete waste of time and leaves you feeling negative emotions like irritation or frustration.
If the latter, then stop binge-watching or stop mindlessly scrolling. Stop letting them distract you. It’s a choice.
Prioritize a walk, drawing, cooking, cleaning, praying, meditating, something that will rejuvenate you and bring you back to focus.
Our Thoughts Control our Results whether using a time management strategy or not
The key here is to think. We have over 6200 thoughts per day. That’s over 4 thoughts per minute. Our brains are very active.
But what are you thinking about? It is important to pay attention to the thoughts you have. Because we have so many thoughts, we have to be sure to intentionally think about our goals and take intentional action. As you begin to control your thoughts, you will be able to control your time.
If you think about a pie chart – how are the slices of your day divided into your thoughts?
If what you are going to make for dinner is 1/2 of the pie, you are not going to be productive. Likewise, if you are thinking about how much you don’t know, you are going to create negative emotions, and taking intentional action will be delayed.
If 3/4 of the pie is on goals, you may be more productive but you may also burn out. It isn’t about trying to find balance in the time you spend thinking about various things, it is that you need to prioritize those thoughts.
The pie chart example is adapted from “On Purpose” by Tayna Dalton whom I interviewed in episode 150.
How to prioritize your thoughts for better time management.
The first step is to pay attention to your thoughts. Catch them.
Once you know what you are spending your time thinking about it, challenge the thoughts.
Are the thoughts;
- goal-oriented
- positive
- important and meaningful
- nourishing your heart and soul
- replenishing your energy and creativity
If the thoughts are comparative and de-motivating or negative and depleting energy and creativity, change them. Redirect them to positive thoughts, productive thoughts, and motivating thoughts. Journaling about your thoughts and how you are spending your time will help you refocus your thoughts and retrain your brain patterns.
Once you get into the habit of paying attention to your thoughts, you will notice that you are better able to control them and control your time and productivity levels.
Gay Hendrix calls this Einstein time. We can make our own time by controlling our thoughts and prioritizing our actions. The more your control your thoughts the more intentional your to-do list becomes. It isn’t about balance, it’s about prioritizing so that you can make the most impact every day.
Things and priorities will shift, like a pendulum, but you will be productive because your time will be spent doing things that will make an impact. You will feel more accomplished and satisfied and this will allow more positive thoughts and momentum, which will keep you motivated.
How can you navigate time versus focusing on time management?
Eliminate or delegate what you don’t love doing, that you aren’t good at doing, or that aren’t making money in your business.
Prioritize the things that you love, that inspire you, that you are good at, or that make an impact on your life and business.
Time management isn’t the key to success. Prioritizing your thoughts and action, focusing on your mindset, creating a strategy, and taking intentional action on that strategy will keep you focused and accomplished. Learn more about my success equation here.
Also, if you are feeling stressed, here is a free resource.
Are you ready to invest in yourself and begin focusing on mindset, strategy, and action to move your business forward? Let’s chat!
Schedule a complimentary strategy assessment with me today.
