What is Time Priority Management

Time Control - How to Make The Most of Every Minute

Not Enough Hours in the Day?

Has this ever happened to you?

You wake up with grand plans and goals, but as much as you try to tick the boxes of your to-do-list, time seems to slip away?

You end up asking yourself “ Where did the time go?”

Technically you can do whatever you want with your life. You can spend time with whoever you want and experience anything that you want. So why does time seem to fade beyond control?

If we were to contrast time to money, we notice that money is not equally distributed. The top 5% of high net-worth individuals possess 95% of the world's wealth.

The curious dichotomy between time and money means even the ultra-wealthy have the same limits as us when it comes to the hours in a single day.

Time is the ultimate equaliser. Each one of us gets the same 24 hours. No more, no less. 

We might not all live to the same age, some of us will die young, but there is not one person who has an unfair time advantage because we all get the same amount of time in a day.

Why then, do some people achieve so much and have an immense impact, while others accomplish very little. How do people like Bill Gates and the Dalai Lama spend their time to make a positive impact?

Managing Time | Priorities

The trick to accomplishing more with limited time is to first shift your thinking.

Focusing on replacing the words “Time Management” with “Priority Management.”

Begin to use the words “Productive” instead of “Busy” when asked how you are, to frame your state of mind.

By starting with a small change in your language, you can affect your emotional response and alter your reaction in situations where you may have previously felt overwhelmed.

Time Block Planning - Structure Your Day

Similar to building a house on a firm foundation, the essential part of the building is the structure that you do not see.

Having a system for prioritising your time and tasks will ground your frantic brain and lead to higher levels of productivity.

Approach your calendar as the CEO of your own life, and take responsibility for your time. Take charge of your direction and current focus to prioritise tasks that are important over activities which are urgent.

The CEO is accountable for growth, even though they cannot control everything, they steer the ship in the right direction, create the environment/culture, and manage the managers.

Time Audit Accounting

Asking a person what they do in their spare time is usually telling. It is usually the first question I ask someone who I meet.

People who know how they are spending time are much better at managing and finishing tasks.

Those who spend time wisely seem to be more productive, similar to how people who spend money wisely seem to be more wealthy.

People often find that by scheduling in time that is less structured, like "Family Time", "Focus time, "and Rest Time" you can have spontaneous moments within a structured day.

It might seem counter-intuitive that planning your time would make life more fun.

It may seem stressful when you see a jam-packed schedule, but when you are in the flow of life, it is barely noticeable how much one can achieve when living with a framework for time-prioritisation.

Course Correction - Falling off the Time Wagon

Following a rigid schedule all the time can be stressful, and as such, you should not take yourself too seriously. There will be times that your plan falls out of whack. Last minute pressures and life can get in the way of a perfectly planned day.

Coming back from a holiday, and you might find it hard to keep on track. 

Give yourself some leniency because life can be challenging, and sometimes you do need to rest.

Last but not least

Managing time is a process of trial and error, and if you want more out of life, you will need to become a student of time.

You have a limited amount of time, so I encourage you to prioritise it wisely.

The final consideration is to appreciate the current moment.

The current moment is the only unit of time that we truly control. It's easy to get caught up in the past and the future, but what is the time control for, if not to make the present moment special.

You might ask yourself "What can I do right now, in this moment?".

If you can enjoy the present moment and make it unique and memorable, then you have conquered the time paradox.

In The End

Time is a precious and limited resource, and you know what happens when your time is up.

• Life is better when you can manage your priorities, even though it may seem rigid and counterintuitive.

• You can take control over your time, using some basic strategies and technologies. 

• If you want to be more productive, you must practice a state of deep work and focus, free from distractions.

• It is also essential to schedule time to rest and reflect. 

Remember that the only time you can truly control is now.

Thank you for spending your precious time reading this article and reflecting in deep thought with me.