Time

In my coaching and leadership development practice especially, time and the lack of it is the number one issue that leaders face. “I’m so busy, I never get to what is important”, “Every day flies by and I come home exhausted with nothing left for my family”, “I love what I do, but I can’t keep going - I’m burning out” - these and many other variations all revolve around time.

I relate to this, having burned out myself back in my corporate days. Like so many, my days were filled with meetings, emails, reports, 1:1’s, projects, management tasks, and more. It didn’t matter how much time I spent at the office, the list was endless.

Lately I’ve become curious about what underpins this phenomena that is so prevalent with leaders everywhere. And I’ve learned one very important thing.

Before I share that with you though, let’s look at some of the common received wisdom about how to manage our time. Now, I realise that time management as a concept is nothing new. So out of curiousity I asked my friendly AI to come up with the common barriers to time management and strategies for being more effective. Here’s what it came up with:

Managing Time Effectively: Overcoming Common Barriers
As an expert in using time well, I have encountered various challenges in effectively managing time. The fast-paced nature of modern life, coupled with endless distractions, demands a conscious effort to prioritize and make the most of each minute. Some common barriers to effective time management include:

Procrastination: The tendency to put off tasks until the last minute can sabotage productivity. To overcome this, breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks and setting strict deadlines can help maintain focus and accountability.

Lack of prioritization: Without clear priorities, it is easy to get overwhelmed with numerous tasks. Creating a to-do list and categorizing tasks based on urgency and importance can provide clarity and guide effective time allocation.

Interruptions and multitasking: Constant interruptions from notifications, emails, or colleagues can fragment focus and impede progress. Implementing strategies such as turning off notifications, setting specific times for email and communication, and practicing single-tasking can promote concentration and enhance time management.

Inefficient planning: A lack of proper planning can lead to wasted time and missed deadlines. Allocating time at the beginning of each day or week to plan tasks and create a schedule can increase effectiveness and ensure adequate time for all responsibilities.

Failure to delegate: Taking on too much and failing to delegate tasks can overwhelm, hinder productivity, and lead to burnout. Recognizing when to seek help and effectively delegating tasks to others can free up time for higher priority work.

To increase effectiveness in managing time, adopting the following strategies can be beneficial:

Setting clear goals: Defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals can guide efforts and allow for efficient planning and prioritization.

Implementing time blocking: Allocating dedicated blocks of time for specific tasks or activities can aid in maintaining focus, preventing distractions, and optimizing productivity.

Utilizing tools and technology: Leveraging digital tools, such as calendar apps, task management software, and productivity apps, can help streamline organization, provide reminders, and track progress.

Building routines: Establishing structured routines and habits can eliminate decision fatigue and create a rhythm that improves efficiency in completing tasks.

Taking regular breaks: Incorporating short breaks throughout the day, such as the Pomodoro technique, can refresh the mind, enhance focus, and prevent burnout.

By recognizing and addressing these common barriers to effective time management and implementing proactive strategies, individuals can overcome challenges and optimize their use of time, ultimately achieving greater productivity and success in both personal and professional endeavors.

I’d be willing to bet that nothing on that list above is terribly new to you or the leaders you work with. Yet I’d also be willing to bet that if you’ve read this far, you still face the challenge of having enough time in your day. And that’s because the list is still missing the key component that in the research and interviews I’ve done has proven to be the most important.

The problem lies in the fact that if you look at that list it is entirely based on behaviours. Lack of prioritisation is a behaviour, as is setting clear goals. Failure to delegate is a behaviour as is time blocking.

So what’s going on? What else could be at play here?

If you look at the list, there is one question that underpins all of them: Why do these behaviours occur in the first place?

In my next blog, I’ll delve into this question, because for me it cuts to the heart of reclaiming our command over our time.