TIME MANAGEMENT IS
SELF-MANAGEMENT
There is no such thing as time management.....time moves on whether we manage it or not. - Rory Vaden
After hearing these words, I knew Rory Vaden had finally put into words what I had been thinking all these years, but couldn't figure out how to say it. You have to manage yourself in order to "manage" your time!
So, here are some ideas from Rory and myself about how to manage yourself and get more out of your time.
1. Say no to the things you can say no to.
Not everything is important to get done. Our minds may tell us everything is important, but separating your emotion from each item on your to do list and dealing only with the facts, you will see, in the long run, there are many things worth saying no to.
When you say yes to one thing you are also saying no to
something else.
2. Focus on the things bringing the highest return.
There are things on your "to do" list that will not reap any rewards. Learn to do the things that will give you the biggest return. Learn to do the things you really don't want to do so you clear the path for the things you do want to do.
3. What are some things in your life you can delegate or automate?
There are some things you can delegate or automate that will immediately free up your time from that point on. It does take time to initially setup the automation or the services and it will require letting go of some control. Cleaning your home, automatic bill pay,
grocery shopping (order online and pick up or let someone else do the shopping), yard work, etc. Let it go, let it go, let it go!
4. Know where your time is going.
Do you know where all your time goes? Is it spent on Facebook, answering emails, watching TV, talking on the phone? If you are trying to lose weight, you keep a food journal. If you want to know where your time is going, you keep a time journal. As you go through your day, write down where you are spending your time. Honesty is essential when you are doing this.
5. Don't let other people control your time.
Do you check your texts the minute they beep in? Do you answer every phone call instead of letting it go to voicemail? When you check your texts immediately and answer the phone every time it rings, you are allowing other people to decide what is most important to you at the moment. It is smart self management to wait until the time is convenient for you to return the texts and calls. You can be in charge of your time.
Time management is intentionally managing your choices and your self. You have much more power over yourself and your time than you think. Now go take charge.
