Time Well Spent

Category: productivity. Date read: December 10, 2016. My rating: 3/5. Buy on Amazon.

Time management techniques has nothing to do with managing time. Spend time doing the right things instead of doing many things. Being busy isn't valuable. Accept that everyone leaves things undone, but decide to leave the least important ones undone.


Time management is not about managing time. It doesn't matter if you have the perfect tools or if you were able to cram up every waking minute of your day with tasks.

If you're doing too many thing you'll end up exhausted without enjoying life.

If you're doing the wrong things you'll end up where you never wanted to be.

If you're not doing anything you'll end up hating that “freedom” and reacting to whatever happens around you.

Accomplishment comes with the right mindset. Decide what your future should look like. Decide to do the right things. Decide to stop being always busy.

We can't just count activities, we have to weigh them, also. — Mike Burns

Stop trying to manage time and start managing yourself.

Planning is very helpful even if things don't always go as planned. Don't try to follow plans to the letter. Always leave extra space when making plans. Adjust them when new information arises and keep moving.

Adapt to situations you have no control over. Practice your influence in situations where you have some control. Choose when you have total control. Learn to know the difference.

There's too much of everything, except time. Simplify your life by removing those unimportant things. A declutered mind can have peace and clearer priorities. Choose well so you can live the life you want.

Everyone leaves something undone. The key is to be intentional about which things we leave undone. — Mike Burns

Think and decide what is right for you. Who you want to become. What you want to accomplish. What relationships you want to strengthen. Only after you have a clear direction, you'll be able to focus on doing the right tasks.

Don't let the opinion of others deviate your direction. Learn to decide for yourself.

Spend more time working than organizing your work. Compulsive organization is another form of procrastination.

Reduce the amount of time you waste. We all need to rest, but there may be some excess you can reduce. Excessive television. Excessive internet. Excessive reading.

Reduce the amount of time you spend on other people's priorities.

Consider your commitments and responsibilities. If it's important, you have to do it.

Focus and work on your priorities. These are usually important but not urgent things. Use your reclaimed time and enjoy the gratification of working towards the life you want.

If you still want to do too many things, maybe it's time to let go of some. Focus on the most important.

Don't forget, you can't be what you need to be for others if you aren't focusing on your priorities. — Mike Burns

We live in a complex world. Find a tool to help you remember tasks, responsibilities, and information. Your brain alone won't be enough.

Figure out your priorities.

Every week review what you did last week and plan the next. Look for places of improvement. Choose to work on the tasks that'll have the biggest impact on your priorities.

Every day review what you did yesterday. Move what's undone and decide on the most important tasks you should finish today.

Revisit your goals and priorities periodically. It's important to always work with the most updated assumptions.