We talk a lot about time management.
But have we stopped to wonder why, despite our best attempts to be prudent with time, we do not achieve our best work?
Or we do a lot of work, only to find we’re no closer to our goals. Instead, we have a list of to-dos that keep us busy.
There are two reasons:
First, we do not clarify our priority.
Humans are limited. You can’t do everything, everywhere, with the same twenty-four hours. That attribute is reserved for the Lord. We need to come to terms with this limit and understand that being limited means we can only dissipate a given amount of focus per time.
Knowing what to focus on requires clarity about what matters most to you now.
What is one thing you want to see improve?
Your health, your work, your friendships?
What exactly do you want to fix in it?
Give your focus to that.
Only then does time management become effective, because now you’re managing time with a clear focus on what matters most.
Second, we overestimate ourselves.
We like to think we can do everything at once. Women might be more prone to this because we have an innate ability to multitask. But multitasking is not the same as doing good work in two areas that demand equal energy and focus. You only have so much to give. So don’t overestimate what you can do. A bigger goal takes a longer time to achieve. Sure, you can shorten the time by being more focused, but that doesn’t mean you’ll learn how to code in a day.
No matter how determined you are, you need time to focus on what you’re building.
That brings me to the third reason. We expect quick results and become discouraged when we repeat the same actions over an extended period, mistakenly believing our efforts aren’t paying off.
There are two sides to this. First, you should tell if you’re closer to your goals, because goals are measurable. You have no way to determine if the actions you take move the needle if you can’t measure your goals. So make sure you know exactly how action x brings result y.
Otherwise, you will feel bored.
Second, if your actions move you closer to your aim, don’t give up. The boredom stems from the belief that everything can be achieved quickly. It can’t. Big results take a big process.
As you manage your time and optimize for productivity, remember to ask:
Do I have a realistic timeline in mind for this?
- What is the main thing to focus on?
- Are these tasks measurable?
- Only then can time management yield fruit.
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Cover image by Teodora Popa on Unsplash
