Time management

‘We all have 24 hours a day. What differentiates us is how we choose to use them.’ Anthony Robbins
 
Covey and co. might have us believe that time management is the key to the holy grail of personal effectiveness. It is not that I disagree it is just that this philosophy assumes that we are all created equal.
Take my friend Frances, a high performer, she loves to plan, she makes lists every day and even prioritises what is on her list. She knows the difference between urgent and important and on the whole manages to complete an above average amount of tasks in the day. I am sure that if I asked her she would say that she was effective. The question is by who’s definition is she effective?

We allocate time for meetings, sales calls, client visits, business development; the list goes on.  Add to this all of your non-work related activity: go to the gym, dinner with friends, time with children, sleep… to achieve even 75% requires us all to be incredibly disciplined. When are we ‘allowed’ to be spontaneous? How and when do we allocate time for creativity or just time to think?
Have you ever noticed when life seems to be effortless, when it feels like the whole world is on your side? Granted you probably did some planning, however I am sure that it had more to do with your mind set then your plan. So the next time you want to be really effective start with a holistic definition  rather than reduce the essence of your life to a series of actions on a to do list.
Until next time, in leadership, Susi and the Ekin Coaching team.
www.ekin.co.za