Let’s change gears here. I often talk about my experiences as a father here on The Good Men Project, but today I wanted to share with you some of my expertise as a productivity expert.
Early on in life, like most people, I didn’t understand the true power of time. However, I had somewhat of a knack for maximizing my time. I learned that I didn’t need to get straight A’s, but rather good enough would suffice. I got some A’s, a few C’s and the occasional D, but I was pretty much a B student for most of my high school and college life.
I believe time management is the single most important investment any of us can make in order to achieve what we want in life.
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I was good at parabolas, geometry, modern history and philosophy, not so much when it came to English literacy and Spanish. The problem I was I didn’t understand why I was studying most of what I was studying. So I did what I could not to study. I was lazy and my parents knew it.
But school and life are two very different animals.
Ever since I started working I always put 100% effort into my work as an investment in myself. I worked hard and made a decent amount of money. But one day I realized that even working 6 ½ days a week wouldn’t get me where I wanted to go.
I always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives so I teamed up with a friend and rolled the dice. Sad to say, my gamble didn’t pay off. However, it got me started on my journey. Then one day, I heard the quote that has forever changed my life.
“Time management is the best-kept secret of the rich.” Jim Rohn always had a way with words and this one stuck with me. It’s been 10 years since I heard that quote, and during that time I’ve gone from an ESL teacher to Asia’s #1 time management expert and now a #1 Amazon best-selling author with the book, “The One Thing That Changed Everything.”
Ever successful person from Elon Musk to Tony Robbins to Gary Vee to Jeff Besos learns how manage their time well. I believe time management is the single most important investment any of us can make in order to achieve what we want in life.
We all need time:
- to exercise to stay healthy
- to work and achieve maximum results (aka your bank account)
- to spend time with our family
- to travel
- to relax (stress relief)
- to sleep
So if any of these things are a priority for you (and they sure as heck should be), here are 9 ways you can help maximize your time:
1.Screw Multitasking
Focus is critical in order to get things done faster. Too many people have too many things going at the same time that none get the attention they deserve. Think quality, not quantity.
2.Dump It
You need to become ruthless when it comes to your time. Anything that isn’t helping you toward your goal is taking valuable time away from your day. Do your best to ensure that you set aside at least 30 minutes a day (an hour a day is better) towards your dream. Tony Robbins called it your “hour of power.” Nice one Tony.
3.Distractions Destroy
Minimize anything and everything that might distract you when you have an important task at hand. Turn off your phone and all links to social media. A few minutes here and there is all it takes to get off track.
4.Night Owl or Early Bird?
Focus is critical in order to get things done faster. Too many people have too many things going at the same time that none get the attention they deserve.
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Some people are more productive at night. Most people are productive first thing in the morning. Whichever you are, put that time to good use. A word to the wise though for those night owls out there – our vices tend to appear at night.
5.Write Sh*t Down
I can’t tell you how many employees I’ve worked with over the years that listen to me explain things and not even pick up their pen to write anything down. We ALL forget. It always helps to clear your mind of the insignificant. You can only use your brain to do so much at one go, everything else get down on paper. There is a reason teachers tell us to take notes.
6.Make A Game Out Of It
Some things you can’t speed up, like brushing your teeth. But you can learn how to type faster, read faster, improve our skills. Challenge yourself to find ways to get things done a little faster each week. Shaving off a few minutes each week from a few tasks will pay off big time when you add them up at the end of the year.
7.Who Knew That A Clean Desk Could Be So Valuable?
Time is money. Don’t spent time looking through drawers and piles of papers looking for things you need. Invest the time you save looking for things into activities that matter.
8.Collaborate
My friend and mentor, Sohail Khan, The Joint Venture Expert, taught me that the 21st century is all about learning to leverage your assets and find complimentary partners that can help you grow fast and with less risk. The same is true for the solopreneurs and fathers out there.
9.Food For Thought
Harry Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” Today we don’t have to read books, we can listen to them. Either way, it pays to study. Check out my articles for some great books, or some awesome audio programs.
Photo by ALP STUDIO on Unsplash