I’m going to attempt to post a Time Management Tip every Thursday.
Tip: What do you Value?
It is not a matter of time; we all have the same amount of time. It is how we use it that makes the difference. You can’t spend time because we don’t earn time. So why is it that some people seem to get so much more accomplished than other?
Simple. It is a matter of what you value. For those of you familiar with the Franklin Covey planners, you may have heard this already, but stick around, because this is my take on this.
If you are serious about managing your time and getting more done take a few moments to ponder this simple question. When you have the answer to this you will be on your way to setting things in your personal home in order.
What matters most? Don’t think of time as an hour or minute, think of time as priorities. Priorities matter. So in your life what is it that matters most?
To find those items that are at the top of the list, what would you be willing to risk your own life for? For me it would be my family, my wife and children. Then it would have to be my career, because work takes care of the family. (I’ve another post dealing with those choices at a future date.)
Another exercise, and you writers may enjoy this, is to think about your own funeral. To set the stage, picture the church, or funeral home, think of who will be the speakers. What would they say about you? What would you want them to say about you? Who will attend? What will they say at the grave site? Who will miss you most? Write out the scene.
Now review it. Do you like what is said? Who isn’t at the service that should be? Now like Ebenezer Scrooge what are you going to do about it?
Focus on What Matters Most. Next week we’ll discuss setting priorities in your life.
Trust me you’ll start to accomplish what you want to get and managing your time, but first you must know what matters most in your life. Otherwise you might make it to the top of the ladder, only to find the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall!
Dean
2 comments:
Great post! I have to be honest - this is something I struggle with. I have a constant struggle between something bordering on apathy, and considering too many small things as high priority.
Outside of my writing life, as well, I've experienced that ladder leaning against the wrong wall haha. I've been working retail since I graduate college and have worked my way up to management, to the point where I could probably take on a store manager position somewhere - which is exactly where I always said I never wanted to you. I stepped back from some of the responsibility last year, and now that I'm moving to a new city, I'm at a perfect point to regroup and try to get my ladder set up against the right wall. :-)
So yeah... I'm looking forward to your next post on this topic!
J Lea.
I can't remember where I heard about the ladder, but it stuck in my mind and it seemed to fit for the post.
I'm thinking about next Thursday's post. You've put the pressure on me!
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