Time Management and Prioritization

Common Misconceptions about Time Management

• People assume the speaker is always on time (not true)
  • Example: Late to own speech on time management
• Assumption of having lots of tips and tricks for saving time
  • Example suggestions from magazines:
    • Only make right-hand turns while running errands
    • Judicious microwave usage
    • DVR shows to fast-forward commercials to save time
  • Critique: Better way to find time is to not watch TV

Key Insight: Time is Elastic

• Time stretches to accommodate what we choose to put in it
• Example: Busy woman's water heater broke, causing 7 hours of unexpected work
  • Demonstrates that significant time can be found when absolutely necessary
• Time management is about treating priorities as urgent, like a broken water heater

Priorities and Time Choices

• Interview with a busy person:
  • Everything is a choice; instead of saying “I don’t have time,” say “It’s not a priority”
  • Example: Choosing not to dust blinds unless offered $100,000
• Reminder: Time is a choice; we fill our lives with what deserves to be there

Strategies for Identifying Priorities

Professional Priorities

• Conduct a forward-looking performance review
  • Pretend it’s the end of next year
  • Identify 3-5 key achievements that made the year amazing

Personal Priorities

• Simulate next year’s family holiday letter
  • Identify 3-5 key events/accomplishments that made the year memorable

Break Down Goals into Steps

• Write goals as actionable steps
  • Example: Writing a family history
    • Read other family histories
    • Plan questions for relatives
    • Set up interviews
  • Example: Training for a 5K
    • Find a race and sign up
    • Create a training plan
    • Get running shoes ready

Scheduling Priorities

• Treat priorities like a broken water heater by scheduling them first
• Plan your week before it begins
  • Ideal time: Friday afternoons
  • Make a three-category priority list: Career, Relationships, Self

The Power of 168 Hours

• There are 168 hours in a week
  • Example breakdown:
    • 40-hour work week
    • 56 hours of sleep (8 per night)
    • Leaves 72 hours for other activities
  • Even with 50 or 60-hour work weeks, significant time remains for other activities

Small Moments for Big Impact

• Use small bits of time for meaningful activities
  • Example: Reading something enjoyable on the commute
  • Example: Use breaks at work for meditating or praying
  • Example: If family dinner isn’t possible, consider family breakfast

Conclusion

• We have enough time for what matters
• Focus on what matters to build the life we want with the time we’ve got

(Applause)