Two Missing Pieces in a Time Management Plan
We all want more time, right? And a well laid out plan can help us make better use of our time.
BUT, here are the 2 mistakes that I see which derail even the most comprehensive calendar.
1) Work and life priorities are not clear.
2) Work and life boundaries are not clear.
Let’s explore.
First, priorities need to be the starting point. If I were to ask you, what are the top three priorities in your life? What would you say? And same question for your professional side?
To answer the “life” question, many folks would say: “my family, my health, my volunteer work”, or something like that, right?
To dig into the missing piece here, I ask two more questions. “What does it look like, in your life, when your family is top priority. AND, what does it look like when your family is NOT top priority?” You see, we often miss this part. We give lip service to our families being top priority, BUT we don’t look at how that plays out in our actual behaviour.
Now many people have an “either-or” mentality here. That is, either I can grow my business OR I can be present for my family. NO! You can do both, just not in the same moment. This is why it is so important to define for yourself what it looks like when family is top priority (e.g. family dinner, asking interested questions with no phones present) AND what it looks like when family is NOT top priority (e.g. one eye on my phone and one eye one my kid).
And once I know what my priorities are (create the top 2-3 for work and life….no more than that or that is a “to-do” list), and what it looks like to bring them to fruition, now you strategize how to keep those priorities holding the space YOU have decided they deserve.
HELLO BOUNDARIES!
For each priority, or each area (work/life) you need to decide what is ok and what is not ok, and THESE are your boundaries.
For example, in the family priority, work boundaries are key. That is, how do you hold space for the family dinner example above. Well, one way, be clear about the hours you will check emails and texts. Or depending on your job, have a system in place where it is clear regarding how and when you can be contacted outside of office hours.
For example, email being used for day-to-day items, and this is checked between 9am-5pm, with a text message being for emergencies only that will be attended to outside of hours. AND, be clear on the definition of an emergency (***remember some one else’s poor planning does not constitute an emergency on your part).
I know the above can be tricky. Why? Having and holding boundaries requires you to hold yourself and others accountable. That can be uncomfortable. If you’re having a hard time with the discomfort, go back to your priority list, and remind yourself why it is so important.
Time management is THE top challenge life coaching clients connect with me about, as it isn’t as simple as time blocking in a calendar (although that can certainly be part of the process!). And since this is the most common question, I have created a group coaching series that helps folks do just this:
1) Identify core values, clarify priorities, and learn to set and hold boundaries
2) Create a time management plan with tools that work!
3) Create and implement a total wellness plan.
The first in the series is coming up on Wednesday, April 27th, with the early bird rate ending on April 20th (code AEB25 to save 25% off).
Learn more: https://www.deannalangfordcoaching.com/get-started or message me directly deanna@deannalangfordcoaching.com
Keep being awesome everyone,
Deanna