The time it takes you to read this post will be lost forever. For that I am sorry. Time is valuable. It’s a finite resource. You can’t go back and draw on the time you had in the past. Once it’s used, it’s used forever. Hence the value of your time. I want show you how to fully maximize this extremely valuable resource.
Here are six ways to maximize your time for efficiency:
1. Learn to say no more often. Say yes to crucial tasks and valued meetings. You’ll likely know the difference if it adds to your checkbook. If the meeting doesn’t pertain to you ask if you can be optional or decline. If someone comes to you with all kinds of questions that add no value, then give some consideration to limiting your time with them. Remember, you work at a high hourly rate and your time is extremely valuable. If something isn’t a value add to your community, your career, your family, or your bottom line consider cutting it out. Eliminate time traps by saying no more often.
2. Cut out the wasteful scrolling. If you’re living in the modern world chances are you using some type of social media. Cut down the time you spend on these apps. Remember, these apps are free to use, but you are the product and the social media companies are making money off your time on the app via targeted ads. Most of all, when you’re on your deathbed will you wish you had spent more time on these apps? Probably not.
3. Guard your calendar. Your calendar at work and at home is a valuable resource. It’s more valuable than the gasoline in your car. You can buy more gas. You can’t buy more time. If you let others control your calendar and your schedule with wasteful meetings they will do so especially if you’re valuable worker. “Ryan will know the answer to this question, I’ll book some time on his calendar.” That phrase works great if it has to do with my customers needing my time, but if it doesn’t pertain to them I need to fully understand what I’m getting into and how much of a time commitment it will be to my valuable time.
4. Know your hourly rate. What is your hourly rate? Is it $25 per hour? Is $2,500 per hour your hourly rate? Figure out your hourly rate and start treating your limited time by this hourly rate. An hour of yard work is worth $2,500 if your hourly rate is worth that much and so is an hour in surgery if you’re a surgeon making $2,500 per hour. Think about your hourly rate when meeting with customers, with clients, with students, with stakeholders, with employees, and prospects that could become customers. If you’re volunteering your time at a nonprofit those are hours you’re willing to sacrifice and give back for a great cause. Your time with your family and friends is priceless.
5. Prioritize relentlessly. Figure out what task in your work and home life are the highest priority. Calling the plumber about your rental property sink issues is a high priority if you want keep your tenants happy. Scrolling social media is a low priority. If you’re in school that class project is a medium priority today, but a high priority the night before it’s due. Meeting with customers about their expansion plans is a high priority. Catching up over coffee with your former coworkers is a lower priority. Make a list from high to low of your daily, weekly, and monthly priorities. Stick to those high priority tasks.
6. Create an effective to-do list. My suggestion is to look over your calendar (work and personal calendars) at the end of each day to get a sense of urgent to-do’s for the next day. This is a good starting place to make a daily to-do list. Tasks that did not get completed today should move to the top of the list. Task which are pressing and urgent tomorrow should make the list too. At the bottom of the to-do list could be errands or miscellaneous tasks you can complete ahead of time for the days ahead based upon your closely guarded calendar(s).
Recap:
1. Learn to say no more often.
2. Cut out of wasteful scrolling
3. Guard your calendar.
4. Know your hourly rate.
5. Prioritize relentlessly.
6. Create an effective to-do list.
I hope these six areas of focus will help you maximize your time. Remember you can go back to get more time. You can make better use of the time in front of you. Take proactive steps to prioritize what matters most. Think about your hourly rate when completing task and looking at your endless to-do list.
#timemanagement
Ryan Stemen, MBA 