[Return to Blog list] [Add your comment]

Time management and prioritisation

Time management and prioritisation

Here is a time management question for you.

At your place of work.....

1. Is there too much to do?
2. Or is it that you are trying to do too much?

Is there “Too much to do”?
You cannot fit 100 units into a 50 unit pot.
Try it and see for yourself.
You will always have 50 units that just will not fit.

Each person can be seen as a limited pot: a “limited resource”.

You are a “limited resource”
On any given day you only have...

• So much time
• So much energy
• So much enthusiasm
• So much mental focus

You are a limited resource facing an unlimited demand.
You are facing an unlimited demand on your limited resources.

So you may be tempted to try to do too much?

Many people try to do too much.
Many people try to:

• Climb every mountain
• Ford every stream
• Follow every prospect
• Till they find their dream

But these people usually end up skint and depressed.

Given that it is true you are a limited resource facing an unlimited demand - should you try to do it all?
Yes or no?

What if you answer yes?
“Yes! I should try to do it all!”

What happens when a limited resource tries to satisfy an unlimited demand?
-It can only end in burnout.

NO you should NOT try to do it all
Don’t even try it.

Then what should you do?
Do only “some”.

What is meant by “some”?

There are three possible answers
1. Do the bits you like and ignore the bits you don’t like?
No, that would end in disaster.

2. Do only the things that are deadline driven?
Chase the late work.
This is a better answer than above, but you will always be in reaction to events.
You will never be in control.
This is what we call having a “short term focus”.

No, instead do this...

3. Do only the most valuable things!
At any given moment the most valuable thing.

Ask yourself three times each day. What is the most VALUABLE use of my time, right now?

Write the answers down and begin immediately to do only those things.

“Valuable” means “Tasks that will move me closer to my goal”.
It does NOT mean: the Tasks that I like the most
It does NOT mean: the Tasks that are pressing and urgent.

“Valuable” means: Tasks that will move you closer to your goal.
These are often long range items.

They include:
• Improving systems
• Improving your health
• Improving your relationships
• Improving your record keeping
• Improving your preparation
• Improving your planning

Often, these tasks are not being asked for by anyone right now.
But do them anyway.

Why?
Because if you fail to:
• Improve your systems
• Improve your health
• Improve your relationships
• Improve your planning

What will next year be like?
Answer: not good!

Ask yourself each day:

What is the most VALUABLE use of my time, right now?

Ask it three times each day:

1. Ask it once in the morning:
What is the most VALUABLE use of my time between 0600 and 1200 midday?
Write the answers down and do only those things this morning.

2. Ask it once in the afternoon:
What is the most VALUABLE use of time between 1200 and 600PM?
Do only those things this afternoon.

3. Ask it once in the evening:
What is the most VALUABLE use of my time between 600PM and midnight?
Do only those things this evening.

Repeat this process every day

What is the most valuable use of your time?
Do only that!
Anything other than “the most valuable use of your time” is a relative waste of time.

For more information about time management training visit the Corporate Coach Group website

On 02/07/2012 at 20:52 Sian Phillips said

This is a great post that has really got me thinking. I often stretch myself, taking on too much each week. I'm going to bookmark this to remind me to think about what is the most valuable task to do. Thanks for sharing on Bizsugar.com

For all your training enquiries please call: 01452 856091

Download your free e-book "The effective leader manager" with our compliments (Free Leader Manager e-book click here)