If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve been there.

Stressed because there are never enough hours to get everything done. Struggling to maintain a balanced life. Wishing you could add another couple hours to the day and finally complete that never-ending to-do list.

If you’re feeling at time’s mercy or always fighting against time, pause a minute and consider a different approach.

I was privileged recently to participate in a webinar entitled, “Time Management vs. Choice Management,” led by Evie DiPiazza, vice president of business development for the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). Here’s the fundamental truth Evie shared:

It really isn’t possible to manage time. It’s only possible to manage choices.
Evie outlined three steps to help manage choices:

                • Begin with introspection
Before you pick up the calendar to design (or re-design) your schedule, ask yourself some questions. Here are some great ones:

                What does my ideal schedule look like?
                  What things do I need to schedule?
                  What values (e.g., career, family, fun, health) do I want to honor as I set my schedule?
By answering these questions, you create a picture that energizes you and honors the things that are important to you.

                • Create goals 

Now take the picture you’ve created and break it down into parts or areas. Maybe your picture includes taking on more clients or customers, spending more time with family, and getting in better shape.

For each area, remind yourself why it’s important, then set a specific goal and put it in writing. Next, create an action plan and recruit someone to hold you accountable.

                • Design your schedule  
With action plans in hand, pick up your calendar and design your schedule. Here are some great questions to guide you:

                What are the non-negotiables in my life?
                         These items have to be on the schedule no matter what.

                 What are the “Big A” agenda items?
                        These are things that only you can do.  These items go on the schedule.  (Be
                           careful here because sometimes we mistakenly believe that only we can do
                           certain things, when, in fact, there are other ways to get things done.)

                  What are the “little a” agenda items?
                        These are things that need to be done, but can be done by others.  These items
                          don’t  go on your schedule.  Identify someone you can delegate these items to.
 
                   Ask yourself, “What else do I choose to include on this schedule?”
                         Remember, it’s your choice, and with choice comes great freedom.
The process is pretty simple, but it’s not always easy. Sometimes we get frustrated or discouraged when things don’t go as planned. The key is to remember it’s a journey, and a journey always starts with the first step.

Writer and humorist Mark Twain once said: 

“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.  The secret to getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks -- then starting on the first one.”
Are you ready to design a schedule that energizes you and honors your values? If you’d like help getting started, please contact me at gayle@totallifeleadership.com.