This time management technique is focused on getting the most from your most productive time. You spend your time either doing things that are important, interesting, or useful; or doing the things you have to do whether you want to do them or not. You only spend time on the things you want to do when there is time left over. Not everyone is focused on or interested in a return on their investment, but if you’re a person who likes to get a return on your investment who enjoys things more for there usefulness or ease of use than their beauty this time management technique is for you.
No matter if you’re doing productive things, things you have to do, or things you enjoy doing you need to feel at ease spending time on those things. You will feel more relaxed and more confident when you know you’re doing the right thing at the right moment. So how can you know that? It goes back to having a plan.
What is the ultimate outcome or result that you want? I don’t just mean today or right now I mean in the next 5 years or longer. Then step that back and down to today. Knowing what you want in 5 years what is the most important thing for you to focus on and accomplish today. When you can accomplish that one most important thing you are getting the best ROI on your time that you can get in one day.
If you were to accomplish this most important thing today, what would that provide for you? What is the return on your investment of time that accomplishing this thing would get you? Unless there is a dire consequence don’t focus on anything else until this most important thing is done for the day. Next focus your attention and time on the things you have to do. Allocate specific amounts of time for your tasks. When the allocated time is up stop the task and set it aside for the next day. When you have the self-control to hold yourself to these time allocations you’ll learn two important things. First, you’ll learn how much time things really take. Second, you’ll learn how much time you actually spend each day on things that have zero ROI. Can those zero ROI tasks be eliminated or delegated? Don’t respond with a “no” answer just because you’ve always done them. Large companies are notorious for hiring people to perform tasks that are completely unnecessary and useless. Don’t let yourself fall into that trap.
Time is money. What is your time worth? If you were spending one hour on productive activities how much is someone willing to pay you to do that? How much is one hour to spend as you choose worth to you? Can you pay someone else much less than what an hour of your time is worth to do some of the non-productive things you’re doing, and if you did that could you increase your earnings?
Would you like to learn more about your time behaviors? Try this Time Management Analysis.
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