Build a Tower of Time

Preplanning prevents poor performance.

Prior planning prevents poor performance.

Prior proper planning prevents poor performance.

I have heard many variations of the sentence known as the 4Ps, 5Ps, 6Ps, on up to even 12Ps of success. The most common term used “Proper planning prevents poor performance” is credited to James Baker, the former Secretary of State of the United States.” That makes sense because I kept hearing it when I worked in retail management in the late 1980’s and early 90’s. ?Planning was always fundamental. Plans might need to be adjusted, but there was always an established proposal.

Planning the foundation upon which all other time management actions happen, or don’t happen. The Bible has a great illustration for this in Luke 14:28 – 30 (NIV).

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

First there is an idea to build something. The next step asks a question, “Won’t You?” I love how this is phrased, because it gives the context that sometimes “we don’t” and thus set ourselves up to squander time.

The planning occurs in earnest, and time is invested to answer the key goal of, “Do I have the funds to build the structure?” Whether you answer yes or no, is not a waste of time. It brings clarity to next steps.

Before any construction begins, a period or periods of formulating and devising occur before the “right execution” is even considered. To begin to build and not finish is ridicule in the above passage, for us it is major case of discarded time.

Planning is a time optimized building attitude that spotlights five topics of setting personal goals, mapping ahead, being on-time for meetings, preparing as well as participating for and in meetings, and committing to completing assignments. These address business and private, personal, and professional. These are the elements to build a strong and high tower of time.

Personal Goals

Establishing personal goals are broader than private and should include business metrics that are tied directly to what you hope to accomplish in your career.

Mapping Ahead

Mapping ahead takes work and activity of the present, and projects outcomes into the future. It is an investment now to help reduce ineffective time that may come.

Preparing for Meetings

As the organizer, an investment must be made before the event to establish an agenda (including goals), that are communicated prior to the occasion. Leadership must be shown by being there and starting the meeting on-time. The plan should be to seek engagement and contribution from all participants.

Participating in Meetings

As a participant, you owe it to the organizer to review any materials beforehand. Honor the commitment, show-up on-time, and be ready to take part.

Completing Assignments

Completing assignments is and should be about honoring obligations, to yourself and to others. Nothing more can set a chain of time management blunders than not committing and then seeing the item through until the end…on time.

Set your time foundation and build a lasting tower of productivity.

Wondering how to start?

Take the Time Management Analysis and receive a free summary assessment to identify where your foundation needs to be solidified. https://infinitylifestyledesign.com/tma/

Heading towards post career life?

You’ll be building a new time tower. Take the Retirement Time Analysis and help estimate the time cost of your new lifestyle. You’ll get a free summary assessment as well. https://infinitylifestyledesign.com/rta/

David Buck is the author of the book The Time-Optimized Life, owner of Kairos Management Solutions, LLC, and founder of the Infinity Lifestyle Design program. David helps individuals, teams and businesses “in-career” create more time flexibility in their lives. In addition, assists individuals and couples craft a “post-career” lifestyle strategy to meaning and purpose. To learn more, contact him at dave@kmstime.com or visit Infinity Lifestyle Design.