From Chaos to Control to Mastery
Let’s banish the notion of “not enough time in the day” once and for all.
It may sound too good to be true, however, it’s entirely within your control to make it happen. Really. Lately, I’ve been gathering insights from my community, and two recurring themes have emerged:
- the feeling of not having enough time;
- and the question “what daily actions should I be taking for maximum impact?”
With over 15 years of experience in jettisoning people from overwhelmed to dancing with delight in time management, both professionally and as a project manager, I feel like I can truly say what works. So here goes!
What I’ve observed is that mastering time management is both an art and a science, a blend of tactics, strategy, and mindset. It’s about taking ownership of your time and being willing to experiment, learn, and forgive yourself along the way. While I can’t promise a five-minute video will change everything overnight, I can offer some nuggets of wisdom to help you along your journey.
A top performing client of mine said this about organizing the day (NUMBER ONE NUGGET!): “it’s simple, but it’s not easy!” This practice I’m about to describe has totally disrupted his formerly frantic and scattered workday. He now dedicates a few moments at the beginning of each day to get organized. THE GOOD NEWS: While I have proprietary forms for my dedicated clients, YOU DON’T NEED THEM to simply begin.
- Write down the top priority that absolutely must get done, no matter what.
- Identify the top three tasks that will have the most significant impact on your goals. While you may not accomplish all three every day, having a clear focus can guide your efforts.
- Now, here’s where things get counterintuitive: make room for white space in your schedule. Many of us fall into the trap of overfilling our calendars with tasks, leading to overwhelm, multitasking, and decreased effectiveness. White space allows for breathing room, creativity, and flexibility in handling the unexpected. It’s not just about taking breaks; it’s about allowing for the unknown and being intentional about how you respond.
In summary, remember: you are the master of your time.
While there may only be 24 hours in a day, you have the power to decide how to allocate them. Whether it’s setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, or making choices aligned with your values, the choice is yours. So, as you go about your day, remember that you are in charge, and your time is yours to command. Until next time, take care and stay intentional with your time.