As human beings our perception of time varies from second to second. We are each given exactly the same 86,400 seconds in each and every day. Yet I hear time and time again that there is just not enough time in the day. We can’t make time so as a human what are you going to do?
A Start, Middle, and End
Every day has a start, a middle, and an end. Meetings have a start, middle, and end. Lunch is the same. So is your drive to the office and your drive home. If you want to feel like you have more time in your day, focus on the rhythms of this pattern. A great place to start is at the end of each day or the start of each day (play around until you find out what works for you), take time to Plan Your Day.
If you do need to plan back-to-back meetings, make sure that you leave a small gap between each one. I prefer to make sure that meetings end at least five minutes before the end of the 1/2 hour or hour. Even better is when I make sure that there is 15 minutes between meetings. It may seem like you are getting less done, but this breathing space lets you get centered and allows you to show up better at your next meeting.
Tasks Versus Strategy
When you are focused on the next task at hand and you have a lot of tasks to do, your day can seem to fly by. As entrepreneurs this is our default mode, as we often run from fire to fire. To really change and grow your business, you need to focus on it strategically. In Plan to Succeed, I share about the magic that is created when you get off site annually and quarterly to decide on less than a handful of strategic goals. The switch to strategic thinking is a big one and time can seem to move a whole lot slower because:
- As an entrepreneur, you need to be spending 30-40% of your time on your strategic goals. This means turning off the phone and email while booking blocks of time to work on your key strategic initiatives.
- New strategies often mean new directions. That means you have to get outside of your comfort zone, maybe even way outside your comfort zone. When you are outside of your previous boundaries time is perceived in a completely different way.
- It takes conscious effort and communication to let your team leaders and staff members know that you are operating differently. It is much easier to let them interrupt you, have a conversation, and be back to feeling like time is slipping by faster and faster.
Leading a Fulfilling Life
In my experience, time disappears when we are pursuing those activities and goals that align with our values and beliefs. If your perception of time is fast or slow, take a look at the goals you have set and how you are going about them. Are you living the life you want? Do you get enough sleep, exercise, and the right food? Are you as strategic about your life as you are about your business? All of these decisions have an impact on whether you feel there is enough time in your day or not.
All I know is that every day only has 86,400 Seconds.
