6 things that will improve how we use time for greater success.

Success for me was always a combination of achieving financial freedom, but also demanded “owning my time”.

Like so many ideas that get circulated indiscriminately, "time management" is a term that implies using time for the purpose of being “more productive”.?

If our relationship with time is contingent upon “productivity”, we spend less time cultivating “purpose”.? Our focus is dedicated to “getting more done” not being infinite.

In the process we create stress, anxiety, and often resentment.?

Many people have invested heavily in the hustle culture that celebrates squeezing every second from each day in the spirit of “productivity”.

Productivity is important, but not at the expense of self-care and wellbeing.

When we embrace a new perspective about time, we focus on setting boundaries, exercising discipline, emphasize health, and define our values.?

Productivity falls into place when we eliminate distractions and operate at peak efficiency compliments of making time work to our advantage.

Maybe its time for a slightly new perspective on “time management”.

“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four-hour days.”? Zig Ziglar

Here are 6 reasons why managing time differently pays off:

More

Many companies push people harder with the intention of extracting “more”.? In the process, we burn people out and force good people to seek opportunities elsewhere.? The research shows working more than 55 hours each week is counterproductive.? It’s ironic that many businesses expect people to be on call 24 hours a day, and demand “more”.? Make deliverables the objective, not the number of hours people work. The same principle can apply when creating a schedule that complements our “lifestyle”.? More isn’t always the answer.?

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”

Motivation

When people get married to the idea of needing “more time” to get things done, the pressure we create depletes motivation.? New studies show time management techniques that are most effective long term don’t rely on willpower and effort, they become automatic.? By establishing good routines and daily habits that support optimum work, we mitigate the need to depend on “motivation” as a tool for getting things done.????

Consequences

When we obsess over time management, we induce more stress by manufacturing unnecessary pressure that results from our addiction to productivity.? When we make health top priority, we become more productive.? We have more clarity and more energy which encourages productivity.? The “consequences” for being preoccupied with managing time can result in elevated blood pressure, emotional fatigue, stress, feeling depressed and even alcoholism.? Time is in limited supply.? Use it wisely and we create time for things that need to get done.???

“The common person is not concerned about the passage of time; the person of talent is driven by it.”

Arthur Schopenhauer

Shift

By focusing on using time as a tool for better health, productivity automatically increases.? Creativity, attitude, energy, and focus increase when we make health top priority.? By making a “shift” in how we perceive time, we gravitate toward healthy choices that emphasize making time for things that elevate productivity instead of making room in our schedule to get more done.

Love

Many people are workaholics that labor incessantly to achieve success.? They become addicted to work, much like people become addicted to gambling.? It's behavioral.? When work starts to become an obsession at the expense of better health and satisfying relationships, our relationship with time has become dysfunctional.? It’s a slippery slope because work alcoholics receive praise, recognition, bonuses and promotions which fuel their appetite.? The problem, it also leads to burn out and emotional pain.? Learn to “love” our work and we will never work another day in our life.??

Unplug

Technology is a trap that creates the illusion of missing out and being disconnected.? With notifications constantly “chiming” and new social apps being released that demand participation, it’s easy to get the impression an opportunity is being lost if we don’t participate.? I don’t use Twitter, Snap Chap and plenty of other social apps.? Guess what, my business isn’t adversely affected.? Sometimes “unplugging” is the best way to create more time for what matters most by eliminating unnecessary distractions that consume precious time.????

Sum it up.

Any suggestions you would like to share about using time wisely?? Share your thoughts in the comments section and please like and share this article. I love learning from you as well.

About Steve:

Steve Wohlenhaus is CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information.?? Steve began his career as a major market television weather anchor in Minneapolis, where he received several Emmy Awards for science programming.? Steve is an author and host of the podcast program Anatomy of Success.? Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn.? Learn more about my work and grab the free Weatherology mobile app by clicking any picture in this article!