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"I don't have time for that."
This is the most constant complaint I hear from leaders.
A mentor of mine, Alan Weiss, describes wealth as "discretionary time." I like that definition. It is a good goal to pursue.
Most leaders live in a constant state of "time poverty."
Observations on busy people
The most dramatically productive people I know are actually not all that busy. They have time to do what they want. They are focused.
The busiest people I know are notdramatically productive. This isn't to say that they don't produce. But their results are at most good. Not great. And they rarely have much of a life. Their "busy : productivity" ratio is off.
The busiest people I know usually love to be in charge. But they usually communicate a sense of lack of control over their own time. Something is always happening to them. An emergency at work. An emergency at home. A deadline or a problem that comes out of nowhere. Something is always happening to them that takes their time.
Time management is not about time
Time management isn't about time. It is about priorities.
I take time to do whatever is most important to me at the moment. Today, I had a number of interruptions this morning and three meetings I needed to attend. I had already made it today's priority to get this article written. So, I'll get it done. I'm sitting in a parking lot, outside the gym, typing this to make sure I get it done before I go in.
You take time to do whatever is most important to you. It is pretty difficult to think of a job where someone genuinely has no control or say in how they use their time. People set their own priorities.
I'm trying to think of the last job where I had absolutely no control over how I used my time or set my priorities…. Maybe my first job as a courtesy clerk (bag boy) at a grocery store nearly 30 years ago. But… nope. I still had control. I could bag groceries quickly or slowly. I could hurry or meander back from the parking lot. I could move directly or take the scenic route on price checks. I did or didn't come back from breaks on time.
Priorities. Management only tried to set them.
My dramatic change
Fifteen or so years ago, I was relatively new in the position of "My Own Boss." I liked to joke that I was the worst boss I ever had. Lame joke. Lamer experience. I worked six days a week. I felt heroic (and a little like a martyr) in that I chose not to work seven. I usually worked at least 10 hours a day.
I was busy, busy, busy. Lots of people saw how busy I was. They were impressed. Hearing them be impressed felt almost as good as getting paid. But it didn't help me get paid. I wasn't getting paid.
When I wasn't working I was thinking about work. Or worrying about work. Or talking about work.
I thought this was the virtuous path.So many people were impressed with seeing "busy" (who doesn't like to watch other people work?) So many well-meaning people (but ultimately not the best mentors) were also very busy. They weren't very productive either. But I didn't learn to see that until later.
It impacted my health. My throat closed up so tight I could barely breathe. Literally. I was killing myself with stress.
I had to get off that path.
I decided to change the "rules of my work life." I decided not to work on weekends. I decided to leave work by 5 p.m. I decided to take Fridays as days of personal and creative renewal. I decided to take lunches. Essentially, I decided to go from a 60-hour workweek to a 32-hour workweek. Do the math on that one—28 hours savings!
(Did you notice all the "I decideds?")
It took me a little while to figure this out. It took a lot of discipline to fight my compulsion to be seen as "busy." I felt guilty, actually. That was the main feeling. I had to deal with my internal narratives that told me busy = good. Not that priorities = good.
I really started to master this about seven or eight years ago.
Results:My earning has multiplied. My production has increased dramatically. I offer so much more value, to more people than ever before. All while working less. That's the short version. Actually, I'm far, far less busy. Even though I've started two businesses as well as run a non-profit. And I volunteer in the community. I'm less busy.
I don't feel stressed. I can take time for myself, my family and others.
What would you do with your freed-up time? How would your life be different?
Are you willing to start building your "time wealth?"
 | Christian Muntean is a seasoned expert in fostering business growth and profitability. With a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership and certifications as a Master Coach, Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and International Mergers & Acquisitions Expert (IM&A), he guides entrepreneurial leaders through growth, succession planning, and exit strategies. He is an accomplished author of three books, including Train to Lead. Christian resides in Anchorage, Alaska, with his family. Learn More » |
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