“I don’t have time for that.”

This is most constant complaint that I hear from leaders.

• “I don’t have time to deal with this staff issue.” Do you have ample time to fritter away on an unresolved staff issue?
• “I don’t have time to plan.” Do you have time to wander in the wrong direction?
• “I don’t have time for personal development.” Do you have time to learn everything the hard way?
• “I don’t have time for vacations / family / personal hobbies / etc.” What are you working for? When do you plan to enjoy whatever it is you hope to achieve at work?

A mentor of mine, Alan Weiss, describes wealth as, “discretionary time.” I like that definition. It is a good goal to pursue.

Most leaders live in a constant state of “time poverty.”

Observations on Busy People

The most dramatically productive people I know are actually not all that busy. They have time to do what they want. They are focused.

The busiest people I know are not dramatically productive. This isn’t to say that they don’t produce. But their results are at most good. Not great. And they rarely have much of a life. Their “busy : productivity” ratio is off.

The busiest people I know usually love to be in charge. But they usually communicate a sense of lack of control over their own time. Something is always happening to them. An emergency at work. An emergency at home. A deadline or a problem that comes out of nowhere. Something is always happening to them that takes their time.

Time Management is Not About Time

Time management isn’t about time. It is about priorities.

I take time to do whatever is most important to me at the moment. Today, I had a number of interruptions this morning and three meetings I needed to attend. I had already made it today’s priority to get this article written. So, I’ll get it done. I’m sitting in a parking lot, outside the gym, typing this to make sure I get it done before I go in.

You take time to do whatever is most important to you. It is pretty difficult to think of a job where someone genuinely has no control or say in how they use their time. People set their own priorities.

I’m trying to think of the last job where I had absolutely no control in how I used my time or set my priorities…. Maybe my first job as a courtesy clerk (bag boy) at a grocery store nearly 30 years ago.  But… nope. I still had control. I could bag groceries quickly or slowly. I could hurry or meander back from the parking lot. I could move directly or take the scenic route on price checks. I did or didn’t come back from breaks on time.

Priorities. Management only tried to set them.

My Dramatic Change

Ten or so years ago, I was relatively new in the position of “My Own Boss.” I liked to joke that I was the worst boss I ever had. (Lame joke. Lamer experience.) I worked six days a week. I felt heroic (and a little like a martyr) in that I chose not to work seven. I usually worked at least 10 hours a day.

I was busy, busy, busy. Lots of people saw how busy I was. They were impressed. Hearing them be impressed felt almost as good as getting paid. But it didn’t help me get paid. I wasn’t getting paid.

When I wasn’t working I was thinking about work. Or worrying about work. Or talking about work.

I thought this was the virtuous path. So many people were impressed with seeing “busy.” (Who doesn’t like to watch other people work?) So many well-meaning (but ultimately not the best mentors) were also very busy. They weren’t very productive either. But I didn’t learn to see that until later.

It impacted my health. My throat closed up so tight I could barely breath. Literally. I was killing myself with stress.

I had to get off that path.

I decided to change the “rules of my work life.” I decided not to work on weekends. I decided to leave work by 5pm. I decided to take Fridays as days of personal and creative renewal. I decided to take lunches. Essentially, I decided to go from a 60-hour work week to a 32-hour work week. (Do the math on that one – 28 hours savings!)

(Did you notice all the “I decideds?”)

It took me a little while to figure this out. It took a lot of discipline to fight my compulsion to be seen as “busy.” I felt guilty actually. That was the main feeling. I had to deal with my internal narratives that told me busy = good. Not that priorities = good.

I really started to master this about 3 or 4 years ago.

Results: My earning has multiplied. My production has increased dramatically. I offer so much more value, to more people than ever before. All while working less. That’s the short version. Actually, I’m far, far less busy. Even though I’ve started two businesses as well as run a non-profit. And I volunteer in the community. I’m less busy.

I don’t feel stressed. I can take time for myself, my family and others.

Would you like to learn how you can increase your discretionary time? I’ve created a free eBook for you: 8 Steps to Save 8 Hours in Your Workweek: Proven Strategies to Help Busy Leaders Get More Done, With Less Effort and Stress.

What would you do with your freed up time? How would your life be different?

It is practical. It works. It is free. Are you willing to start building your “time wealth?” This is your ticket.

You are welcome.