People often ask me how I find the time to update this blog as frequently as I do. That’s before they discover that I usually work fewer than 25 hours a week!
The answer, is that I make the time for blogging, because it’s a priority activity for me and my business. As a keen time manager, I always have the time to do the important things, by refusing to waste time on the less important things.
I certainly wouldn’t have the time to keep this blog regularly updated, if:
- I was active on more than 2 social networks Twitter and Facebook.
- I answered my phone every time it rang, rather than screen my calls.
- I had my email set to send/receive every 30 minutes, rather than when I am available to actually deal with email.
- I accepted every “can I pick your brains for free?” request I get each day, rather than place a value on my time.
I admit that I work hard, but I work hard for around 4 or 5 hours a day. I also get more done than many people who work 10 hours a day; but are less focused on the way they invest their hours.
Here’s how I do it
I gained control of my time 15 years ago, when I decided to take some great advice from a friend. She suggested I write a time diary. In the time diary, I listed everything I did at work, and how long I spent on it, for a period of 5 working days. I was immediately able to spot activities that were sucking my time up but delivering little if any real value. This exercise also made me a lot more aware of how easily you can waste time, whilst still being extremely busy.
If you like the idea of getting more done in less time, why not try a time diary for the next 5 working days? Be sure to list everything you do, business or pleasure, during your working day and how long you spend on it. Then, look through that list for activities, which are taking up too much of your time, for what you get in return. Also, look for ways to improve your efficiency on the important tasks.
The overall impact of mastering your time can be (literally) life changing.