Now if you’ve been reading my blogs for a while, you will remember that I wrote a piece about this a while back and below is the link to that post. I think this is a really important concept to understand – especially if you are looking to create work/life balance. So pardon me if I am reiterating a point here. There’s a reason – particularly at this time of the year.
Time management is a term that gets thrown around a lot in the business world, and it seems that everyone is always looking for the latest and greatest time management techniques and strategies. But is all of this emphasis on time management actually worthwhile, or is it just a load of BS? Here are a few reasons why time management might actually be complete nonsense:
- Time is a constant. You can’t manage it, you can only manage yourself. No matter what you do, time is going to keep ticking away at the same rate. You can’t make time go faster or slower, and you can’t create more of it. All you can do is manage your own actions and make the most of the time you have. Prioritising is a start and keeping a Daily Method of Operation and a Calendar will definitely assist in this regard.
- Everyone has the same amount of time. Yep, that’s right. It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a stay-at-home parent, you’re Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian or Joe Biden – we still all have 24 hours in a day. The difference is how you choose to use that time. Some people are able to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time because they are focused and efficient, while others might waste their time on unimportant tasks. You can outsource tasks such as cleaning, ironing, washing, social media posting or enlist support from family and friends’ to help out with the kids’. There are many ways to which we can create pockets of time. It’s pretty rare than anything extraordinary was ever created alone nor in a vacuum.
- Time management techniques aren’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one person might not work for another. Some people might find it helpful to use a to-do list, while others might prefer a more flexible – or what I call ‘loosy goosy’ – approach. It’s important to find what works best for you, rather than trying to fit yourself into a predetermined time management system. And the only way you will actually find out what works for you is to actually put your plan into action and test them out. Don’t procrati-manage.
- The concept of “wasting time” is subjective. What one person considers a waste of time, another might consider a necessary break or a chance to relax and recharge. Never allow other people’s opinions to dictate how you spend your day. It’s YOUR day, YOUR life – you spend it which way works best and feels joyful for you. It’s important to have balance in your life and make time for the things that are important to you, even if they aren’t directly related to work or productivity. Especially relationships – that is the most important thing.
- You can’t plan for everything. No matter how well you try to ‘manage’ your time, unexpected things are going to come up. You might get sick, your car might break down, or you might have to deal with a personal emergency or sick child. It’s important to be flexible and adaptable, rather than trying to stick to a rigid schedule. Don’t beat yourself up for not getting stuff done either. Reward yourself for what you did get done. Always celebrate the wins – no matter how small they are.
In conclusion, while time management techniques can be helpful in some cases, it’s important to remember that you can’t actually manage time itself. Instead, focus on managing yourself and your choices and therefore actions, and be open to trying different approaches to see what works best for you. Keep it playful. Remember, it’s YOUR life and you do it your way. Most importantly, believe that you can create your life precisely the way you want. Because you can have it all and you deserve it all.