Have you noticed that you end your week wondering where the time went? You completed less than half the items on your check-list and are exhausted before your very busy weekend begins. Amazing isn’t it that most of the “urgent” was 100% done. What happened to the strategic super important project you were going to spend 2 hours each day on? Not 3 minutes…hmmmm
If time is the most important commodity you have, why do you allocate it so poorly? You spend 3 hours doing something yourself instead of delegating it or hiring someone to do it because “you will do it better.” I’ve heard “in the time it takes to explain it to someone else, I would have finished the whole thing.” The sense of accomplishment here is undeniable. Maybe you saved $300, too. If money is tight it may be the correct decision. If you aren’t getting the stuff done that only you can do, well, think about it.
It may be counter-intuitive, but one way to get your calendar back in line would be to set a 3 year goal. What do you want to accomplish? Anything that doesn’t lead to that goal should be inspected for its value. Do you say yes to every charity event you are asked to attend? Can you give a donation instead? Can you block time on your calendar as busy or set it as a recurring meeting with “Darth Vader” or whoever that no one would book over? I’m hearing of staff allowed to set meetings over really important meetings. What?
If you examine the opportunity against your 3 year plan, it will be easier to begin with no. People may push back but they will respect your boundaries over time and may begin to emulate them in their own lives. You can set the example for your team.
If you don’t think Vistage peer groups get value at every meeting-from the speakers, the conversations and the input from your peers, don’t click here.
Sculpture located at Dunham Estates, Sonoma, Ca.