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It’s not your clock that’s broken, but your “distraction management system” that needs work.

Time management troubles are something all leaders have in common. Some might say other things get in their way, but time is the ultimate pressure cooker because no matter how much you pay or how pretty your planner is, you’re not gettin’ anymore and you keep trying to fit stuff in. But, why do all leaders struggle with time management. There are at least three reasons you want to be aware of as all three of them have solutions, as well as one overall solution. You need a distraction management system and a guide on the side, but read these three reasons, first.

1.      Accountability

At your level of leadership, chances are few people hold you accountable. There is something about a promotion that assumes one is prepared to juggle the new length of your task list. Oh, and then there’s people to lead, not just stuff to manage. Who says do this then and who asks if you done that yet? Maybe your boss checks in now and then, but with micromanagement being so taboo, it’s likely that the responsibility of achieving what you set out to do, falls on you. And we are our own worst justifier’s of what “needs” to get done now, susceptible to every blinky, noisy thing that demands our immediate attention. To better manage you time, find a guide on the side to whom you have some accountability.

2.      Focus

Between this meeting and that one, this problem and that project, this building and the one where they expect you at noon, that boss and the one to whom you have a dotted line, as well as the soccer game, the gala tonight, those friends you’ve forgotten and your ever-loving phone, focus is a problem. It all comes down to clarity, priorities and boundaries, but that takes time. Oh yes, that’s right, that was the issue. No time to create clear focus. Hmmm… never ending cycle? Yep. Make the time to focus. Find someone to help you clarify and prioritize. And if you aren’t ready to reap those rewards from that valuable exercise, at least read the book The One Thing, by Gary Keller.

3.      Balance

This is my favorite topic. Favorite! A young woman I mentor even asked me about this today. “How do I make sure I have time for me and still get my work stuff done?” I laughed out loud that she thought I was the expert on this topic: Ms. Closet workaholic that I am. But, here’s what I do have. Credibility in an area in which I’ve found a LOT of ways it DOESN’T WORK. Here’s the truth: balance is a concept reserved for a scale, not you, a person. Find fulfillment. Reach for harmony and let go of a need to equitably distribute your efforts among 3 or more things. You WILL be out of balance with your time and you’re wasting time to try otherwise. But when you are OFF balance it is because you’ve not clarified what’s important and your actions feel out of kilter with your values or your priorities. This is where accountability, guidance on focus, and a business coach can be immeasurably helpful in helping you get where you want to go and figure out where that is, in the first place. You CAN balance work and home, a dream and a job, a life and a career, IF you know what’s important and you have a plan, which usually includes changing some habits.

This is a short Monday Moment, because well, why would I need a bunch of time to talk about why you don’t have time. hehe! Ah, and in order to do a better job in managing some of that time, I urge you to connect with me and look into hiring your own business coach, or what we can an expert guide on the side. (not sure how to connect, dial 1-866-382-0121)

I’m Monica Wofford and that’s your Monday Moment. Have a great week, an even better Monday, and of course, stay contagious!

I’m Monica Wofford and that’s your Monday Moment. Have a great week, an even better Monday, and of course, stay contagious!