One idea I'd like to share often makes a huge difference as clients struggle to find the time needed to be effective in their coaching program and find the improvement and clarity they desire.
The idea is this: time management does NOT exist. At least the idea that we can
manipulate time is not a reality.
True, some sporting events can “stop the clock” and call a time
out.
For real life, the clock keeps moving and time does not
stand still.
When I consider the idea of “time management,” what really
comes to mind is the process of prioritizing our activities. That we can do!
In my parent’s era when I was growing up, they used an envelope
system to allocate the family income to the various expenses and obligations.
If the money ran out of the “groceries” envelope, it meant there was no more
food purchases that month, or some of the money from another envelope was reallocated to
the grocery envelope to make ends meet. There was no putting it on the credit
card and hoping to figure it out later.
Therein lies the key to allocating our finite amount of time.
We all have 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week. How we choose to use
that time is our challenge and our opportunity.
Like the budget envelopes of my parents, we can allocate our
168 hours in advance into different activities and projects. We can reassess
throughout the week our choices of priorities and adjust if needed.
One of the most powerful benefits of this advanced
scheduling is our ability to honestly say “no” to others looking to get the use
of some of our 168 hours.
Because we have already allocated our 168 hours in
advance, we now have the option of kindly explaining that we are currently
unavailable to help because of a prior commitment. Or, we can decide to elevate
their request to be a priority for us as well and say yes.
Personally, I resist detailed scheduling in advance as
explained in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator preference of “Perceiver.”
However, when I’m faced with too many interruptions, or if I’m simply finding myself
becoming less effective, I choose to schedule my 168 hours in detail so I have
a ready option to say no, or yes, to the interruptions that come my way.
The ability to say “no” is one of the very best ways to
improve our productivity and get the things that are our highest priorities
done on a regular basis.
For more information about my coaching programs and how you can increase your potential, email me at chris@dtesuccess.com or text me at 801-410-2266. Mention my "Do The Extraordinary" blog for special pricing.
Start now to live a life of vision and clarity, with a renewed sense of hope for your future, and get on your very own customized path to a life of joy and abundance in your very first coaching session!
