Is Time Management a Waste of Time?

After many years of trying hard to get it all done, I came to a profound realization: I’ll never get it all done, and that's ok.

My ideas of time management and productivity ignored the fundamental human truth that my time is way too limited to get everything done that I might wish to do.

Instead, with the little time I have in my lifetime, and never really knowing how much of it I still have left, I now chose to embrace my "cosmic insignificance" - as Oliver Burkeman beautifully puts it - and focus more on enjoying the journey.

Here are six insights I've gathered from my experience that can help individuals and teams who wish to get sh** done.

1. Time is a Physical Constant in the Universe

The idea of managing time is in vain, like Don Quixote fighting his windmills. Heidegger said: as human beings, we do not HAVE time, we ARE time. The only moment we truly have is NOW, and our choice is what we focus on. This requires prioritizing our actions and removing distractions.

2. Three Steps to Get Sh** Done

First, I set a well-formed goal. Second, we agree in the team on who contributes and how. Thirdly, we establish a disciplined tracking progress and revise goals when it’s time.

3. Well-Formed Goals

Goals are written “as if” they have already been achieved, using the SMART and OKR frameworks. These tools help us formulate balanced and achievable goals, giving us clear direction and motivation.

4. Aufgabentrennung (Division of Tasks)

This term, coined by Alfred Adler, highlights the importance of dividing tasks. Mastering this concept is foundational to our success. The RACI tool is excellent for establishing clear responsibilities within the team.

5. Active Questions

Active questions, as described by Marshall Goldsmith , keep our goals at the forefront of our minds. Regularly asking, “On a scale from 1 to 10, how much did I do my best yesterday to achieve my goal?” helps activate the mind and make conscious progress.

6. Decision Making

Decision-making processes are agreed upon upfront: I decide, you decide, or we decide. Each method has its place, with "we decide" being the most challenging yet potentially rewarding for collaborative environments.

7. The Rhythm of Success

A successful business operates with a rhythm: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual processes. These regular intervals ensure strong relationships, smooth information flow, and synchronized tasks, all aimed at achieving a common purpose.

Strengthening a team by focusing on these areas fosters a culture of accountability, clarity, and continuous improvement. This not only enhances productivity but also contributes to overall happiness and satisfaction within the team. Focusing and prioritizing strengthen a team. Decisions on what to STOP or to PARK are just as important as what to FOCUS on.

Conversely, when teams score low on these traits, confusion, inefficiency, and dissatisfaction can arise.

Are you still trying to “manage time”? How does it feel fighting the imaginary windmills of productivity? What could be useful to change in your mind?

Contact Me

For a personal conversation on how to implement these techniques and enhance your team's success, feel free to reach out.