Across the years, I’ve encountered so many “time management” courses. And learned a ton. And simultaneously struggled with it. My net take-away: you cannot manage time.

You don’t manage time. You don’t manage your calendar. You manage priorities.
(Do you agree?)

Alan Lakein’s, How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life. I believe it was this book that first presented the “crazy” idea for the time that his family did not own a TV! How would that be reapplied now to smart devices? I’m finding so much value in stepping away from my smart phone for many hours a day. What would it look like to step away for a full day, or more?

You control priorities, not time, not your schedule. “Prioritizing your schedule” is a misnomer

“The most important habit is choosing the right habit to work on.”
— James Clear

CHOOSE how to spend your time.

Start with Values, then Priorities

“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.”
— Roy E Disney

If you haven’t articulated your values, what a great exercise.

Routines

Discipline

Manage your calendar. Nope — put my priorities onto my calendar. Fist!

#Essentialism

Know what matters, then focus on it. If you’re focusing on a dozen things, well, then you’re not!

Some of the hardest work I’ve ever done is to decide what matters most. It is also the most valuable work I’ve ever done.

Do you know anyone who seems to have a well managed life who doesn’t know their priorities?