Is Time Management Your Real Problem?
Time management can help you out while you struggle to complete the day to day assignments, and crib about not getting enough time to complete the task on time. If you really think that 24 hours in a day just isn’t enough. , then, you need to give it a thought, is time management is the real problem that you are facing? An article from Forbes addresses this issue.
We’ve all been there – scrambling to check the “to-dos” off our list, but finding that 24 hours in a day just isn’t enough. “My time just isn’t my own,” is commonplace in my office as clients describe how they’re being pulled in multiple directions and never completing their “top priorities.”
Stressed, anxious, and frustrated – burned out leaders want to take back their time but aren’t sure where to start. This begs the question: As a leader, how can you start controlling your time when everyone wants it?
Is it your time…or your choice?
First things first, be truthful about whether it’s a time management issue or a choice management one.
Answer this: If given more than 24 hours in a day, would you complete the tasks you already have, or add more to your list? Ultimately, it’s about making the choices in how you spend your time that allow you to control it.
Once you determine that your choices are the issue, you need to know where you’re spending your time. For one week, track all your professional and personal activities and determine:
• Which were proactive or reactive tasks?
• Were they an effective use of your time? (Remember: Being efficient does not equate to being effective!)
• Could a task be delegated?
• Did your proactive leader tasks (strategizing, critical thinking) take priority?
• Were you engaged in all tasks?
• How many times did you say “yes” and wish you said “no?”
By answering these, you’ll see how your choices impact whether you are effective or just task checking. The hard truth is that we are often the cause of our own lack of time because of our choices.
Strategize your choices.
Once you recognize where your time goes, you can start making choices based on your goals, values, and priorities.