This past week, I was working with an executive team on time management. We started with a paradigm shift in answering the question, “Why work on ways to better utilize time?” After all, we get 1,440 minutes every day, and regardless of how effective we are, we get another 1,440 the next day. And on and on it goes. You can imagine all the “I” answers that filled the white board. Then we suggested the paradigm shift.
From thinking about “me” to “we.”
What if the sole reason or motivation to be a more effective time manager is so that I can be more useful and helpful to others?
Of course, one participant threw his hands in the air saying, “That’s my problem. I am so busy helping others I have no time for myself.” The mind shift is hard, and it took a day for the participant to embrace the idea that he was enabling rather than helping.
Question for all of us this week. In what ways are we enabling — which is a control strategy — versus the servant trait of unleashing strategy? Send me a note and let me know. Let’s start a dialogue.
Here is my time management hint of the day. Block time. Even if for only 30 minutes, one hour, or even a day, schedule focused time to get things done. This technique will then allow you to be more patient, understanding, and helpful to others during unblocked times.
If we can be more diligent about blocking time, we will be able to successfully practice a powerful Dale Carnegie challenge. “Learn to relax at your work.”
Onward!