Maximizing Your Time: A Simple Self-Strategy Approach
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Value of Time
Time is a finite resource that none of us can accumulate, regardless of our status or wealth. Even the most powerful CEOs are subject to the same 24 hours each day, 365 days per year. It's clear: time is our most valuable asset.
We frequently express feelings of being overwhelmed, often saying things like "I'm always behind," "I can't find a moment for myself," or "Looks like I’ll be working late." I admit, I still catch myself saying these phrases too. However, I'm not here to introduce yet another time management trick or delve into optimizing software tools.
Instead, I want to share one straightforward practice that has kept me balanced: my self-strategy meeting.
This meeting is essentially an hour I dedicate solely to myself. The purpose? To carve out time for the things that matter.
Let’s break this down. What I’m offering is a method to prioritize effectively, which may even allow you to abandon your to-do list entirely. Does that sound appealing, or does it fill you with dread, depending on your feelings towards to-do lists?
My self-strategy meeting consists of just 60 minutes each week, focusing on four key areas: my progress towards goals, my MUSTs, my WANTs, and my calendar. The shift here is from asking, "What will I do?" to "When will I do it?"
Setting the Scene
Every Friday at 4 PM, I create an ideal environment for my self-strategy meeting. I sit at my desk or outside if the weather permits, pop open a can of Coke Zero, and play some smooth jazz. I ensure all notifications are turned off to eliminate distractions.
Being a digital native, I keep all my notes organized in OneNote or in calendar invites within Outlook, though this could easily be done with paper and pencil. The key is having a tool to manage your time effectively.
Reviewing Progress
The first step is to reflect on your goals. This can be challenging, as everyone's definition of goals varies. I view goals as measurable targets. I ask myself:
- Where am I making progress?
- Where do I need to improve?
- What actions will I take in the next week?
Identifying MUSTs and WANTs
Next, it's time to distinguish between what’s essential and what’s desired.
- MUSTs: Start by noting down your non-negotiable tasks, especially those needed to address any areas where you're falling short. This could include obligations to your employer, clients, or regulatory requirements. Missing these deadlines can have serious consequences.
- WANTs: These are the initiatives or improvements you wish to pursue but can only tackle once your MUSTs are managed.
Allocating Time
With your lists of MUSTs and WANTs in hand, check your calendar for the next three weeks. Allocate time for your MUSTs based on urgency, using the invite body for notes and reminders for future reference. For example, some of my invites might read, “Project X: What’s up?” or simply the title of a task.
Once your MUSTs are scheduled, identify openings for your WANTs. I usually prioritize fixing broken processes first, followed by larger projects and then new initiatives.
Cleaning Up Your Calendar
It's crucial to review your calendar to prevent overbooking. If you can't be in two places at once, you shouldn't split your attention either. Managing your calendar this way helps reinforce the distinction between your MUSTs and WANTs.
And that’s the gist of it! It’s a straightforward yet effective method to communicate with your future self about when to take action instead of merely listing tasks to be done whenever possible. The best part?
I schedule these self-strategy meetings on Thursdays or Fridays to prepare for the week ahead, which helps me reclaim my weekends and Sunday nights.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this approach, especially since this is my first article on Medium. Your feedback will be added to my MUSTs list, and I’ll set aside time during my self-strategy meeting to make improvements!
The first video, "It's time to MAKE TIME | Making Time for the important things in life," discusses how to prioritize what truly matters in your life, offering insights that align with the self-strategy meeting concept.
The second video, "How To Make Time For Yourself," provides strategies and tips for self-care and personal time management that complement the ideas presented in this article.