Time Management

First of all – you can’t manage time; it takes care if itself. All we can manage is how we use it. I don’t like productivity management either, because we use our time for every purpose, obviously. I think I like the very simple, “How We Use Our Time”

I’ve taken courses on this subject – with different names. I’m in a Mastermind Group with 6 people, including 4 coaches. And I know that they have all taken similar courses. But last week I was late (I had an excuse, but it was garbage) and another participant missed the call (she completely went blank, even though she clearly remembered about it 12 hours earlier.)

I state, aphoristically, “If your Time Management System works, then you’re not busy enough.” My wife couldn’t understand this, but that’s because she doesn’t use one.

We all have time wasting habits. I know I should allocate a specific time for my emails, but I still peak. I know I should touch papers only once, but I still move them from here to there or I let them pile up and up and up.

I know I have to leave time in between appointments, but even when it is completely up to me, I sometimes bump the head of one into the tail of the other (and of course screw up the overlap – either ending one early or starting the other late)

I haven’t figured out how to manage my reminder systems. How long do I need to get ready? How soon in advance must I prepare for something? What are my intermediate actions to reach a goal and how do I manage them?

I point out that if I answer those questions, there are simply more things to manage and track.

Did I mention I’m leading another time management course next week?

Michael Lipp, The Contribution Coach guides people to create new, exciting futures: He is also a multi-faceted author - His books include, "Less Stress, More Wealth" and "Guide to a Fulfilled Life". You are invited to explore his blog, http://michaellipp.wordpress.com and his website http://www.michaellipp.com

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