Who has time for that?

            It is Friday!  Hopefully, many people reading this blog are wrapping up loose ends, planning for next week, and preparing for a relaxing weekend.  Unfortunately, I suspect that for many of you, Friday feels less like the end of a productive work week and more like a nagging reminder of all the things you still need to do.  If so, it is time to take a long hard work at the way your managing your time.

            Several times a week I hear someone tell me, I didn’t have time for that.  My answer is always the same-“Actually, you did have time, you simply made a decision (conscious or unconscious) that this item was low priority.  As you can imagine this answer infuriates just about everyone who hears it.  But-it is the truth.

            Here is the tricky thing about time-we all have the exact same amount.   You cannot create more and you cannot get it back once it is gone.  Unfortunately, it is also very easy to lose control of the way you spend it.  So, how come some people seem to be able to get it all done and others, are constantly busy, but never seem to catch up?  One word-priorities.

 I think of my time like money.  There are endless amount of things I would like to do with my money.  Yet, each week, I have a finite amount of money to spend.  I have a few key priorities (food, shelter, etc.) that must be taken care of.  With the rest of my money I make conscious decisions on where to spend it.  Sometimes the decisions are easy: pay my mortgage or blow the mortgage payment on a weekend of debauchery.  Most of the time, the choices are much more difficult: put extra money toward retirement or my child’s education fund, take the family on a vacation or buy a new family car, etc.  In my household these decision are decided in advance by following a budget that reflects our families values and financial goals.

Your time works the same way.  You have a finite amount of time and endless amount of options of how to spend your time.  Each week, there are a few key priorities that you must handle.  After that, you get to make decision about how to allocate your time.  Sometime the choices are easy-go to work or stay home and watch TV. Most of the time the choices are difficult.  When you face difficult choices on how to spend your time, you should be turning to the governing documents that spell out your priorities-your business plan, your mission statement/vision statement, or marketing plan. 

You have exactly the amount of time you need to get all of your key priorities accomplished.  The trick is-do you REALLY know your key priorities.  If you are struggling with time management, stop blaming the calendar and take a hard look at your priorities.   Need more help?  I highly recommend,  Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”

About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success.  A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals.  Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention.  You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com, 520-225-9053, or www.jonellevold.com.