Time Flies: Buy It Back

Just finished reading Dan Martell 's book "Buy Back Your Time" and I'm going to share something I haven't shared to date. First off some quick backstory - I am an insatiable absorber of information and my 'production quadrant' is off the hook. I annoy my team (not always), thrill my business partner, and I rarely am not in the highest gear. I did some very deep thinking after half way into the book and had the sobering thought. "Sure you crush tasks like gnats, but what are you actually doing? Yes, your role requires 1,000 tiny things to complete but for a big push - making BIG changes and pivoting the business - am I actually making an impact or is it a lot of sand?" Keep reading to see what conclusion I came to.

Embrace the Time Audit

Many C-Suite execs are making awesome headway, but in what direction. In order for me to feel confident in decisions, I gather as many facts as possible. So first things first, do a time audit. Track your activities for a week and identify where your time goes. You’d be surprised how much of it is spent on low-value tasks. By pinpointing these, you can delegate or eliminate them. This isn't just Martell's advice—Chris Bailey's "The Productivity Project" also highlights the importance of understanding your time to improve efficiency.

When in Doubt Schedule it Out

Martell advocates for time blocking—allocating specific times for different tasks. This ensures you’re not just busy, but productive. Aha!! I was being busy and productive, but truly productive in a way that felt real and tangible. For me, this meant a time blocking hybrid technique. While I have my preferred meeting time (morning) and task time (afternoon) I backfilled tasks from our PM system into my day and while granular and crazy ensured a few things;

• If no time was left to schedule tasks why on earth did I have them for that day? Chat with PM and readjust! Don't commit to 14 hours of tasks and just think you'll bust them out.
• Dead time exists for us all, but granular scheduling unburies it.
• Proactivity now feels natural. I thought I'd be annoyed because I'm already organized and proactive but instead of relying on my brain, my whole team can see my calendar and I can see the planning gaps.

Be Intentional

Perhaps the most powerful takeaway is intentionality. Martell emphasizes aligning your daily tasks with your long-term goals.

Why This Matters

Implementing these strategies isn’t just about working smarter it’s about reclaiming your life. Imagine having more time for what you love, both in your work and personal life. It’s not just a productivity boost; it’s a life boost.

Final Thoughts

Martell’s book is a blueprint for transforming how we approach our time. It’s about making intentional choices that align with our goals and values. So, how are you managing your time? What strategies have worked for you? What haven't?

#Leadership #TimeManagement #Productivity #COOInsights #BuyBackYourTime #DeepWork #ProductivityProject #FreeToFocus