Many of us struggle with what we believe is a time management problem.  When in reality, time management is a waste of time.

If we could just get better control of our time we could be more productive. And all this will lead to a happier, more balanced life.  

I hate to disillusion you but you thinking is all wrong.  Not only will it not solve your productivity problems, but it also won’t give you the happier, more balanced life you are seeking.   How can that be? Doesn’t it make sense that if you were more productive, you’ll get more done and have time to finally catch up on your reading or the hobby you keep talking about?

In theory, this sounds right, but in actuality, it just doesn’t work.  Consider these ideas about time management and how you can achieve what you want, without thinking it’s about getting better control of your day/week/month and life.

Time Management and Productivity Aren’t the Same

Just because you are productive does not mean you are managing your time well, nor is the opposite true.  You can get a lot done and they cannot be the things you should be focused on.

Productivity doesn’t equate to being successful if you are focusing on the wrong things.

A better way to look at this is prioritization management.  What is the most important thing you need to get done today or who is the most important person you need to focus on today?  

All of us have to do things we’d rather not do.  However, if you focus on what brings you joy, what motivates you, what matters not only will it not matter how long it takes, it means you are spending time on the right things, for the right reasons.  

Focusing on Time Management Stresses Us Out

I have clients who time block on their calendar and every hour of every day is blocked out, sometimes color-coded even.  Looking at their calendar makes me have heart palpitations. It stresses them out too but they don’t know any other way to account for everything they have to do and make sure it gets done.

How can anyone be effective this way?  Things are going to come up that we can’t account for and throw a monkey wrench into the beautifully architected calendar, and then we are stressed out knowing our day or week has gone to hell, and we are worried about how to recapture the lost time.  Like that’s even possible.

We spend precious time creating this perfect calendar, only to have it blow up in a matter of hours.  It’s an impossible situation.

What’s the solution?

Each of us has our own work style and rhythm.  I’m a morning person and you will find me at my desk by 7:30, or earlier most days.  I’m most productive before lunch and my thinking and creativity are best at that time.  Whenever possible I use the mornings to my advantage as it relates to work.  

I also find that my energy and motivation wanes if I don’t get going early.  For example, if I get to the office and don’t jump into what I have planned for the day the longer it takes me to get going, the harder it is for me.  

Understand your bio-rhythms, your energy level, when you are brightest and most creative and prioritize what you need to do during those times.  

Throw Away Everything You Have Learned About Time Management

Then start by accepting that time management is a waste of time. Not much has changed over the decades about time management and how to be more successful at it.  That’s likely because we somehow believe that we can stretch the 24 hour days, 7 days a week we all have into something bigger…and we will accomplish that by managing time.

Realistically, you probably have less than 12 hours a day that is not already committed to sleeping, eating, commuting, errands and more.  Reducing your sleeping hours doesn’t help, in fact, study after study points out all the negatives to the body and mind with less sleep.

There is no way to manage time, you have to manage yourself, which goes back to prioritization and understanding your body.

Find what works for you. 

It doesn’t matter if your boss, colleague or best friend does it a different way.  You are not a mirror image of them in any way. Even if you have two kids, a house, a dog, a spouse who works and they do also doesn’t mean your life and theirs are parallel and what they do will work for you.  

Sure take ideas from others, see what they do that maybe you can learn from but recognize your energy levels and your life are different than anyone else’s regardless of how similar they appear.

The first step in time management is to quit thinking that you can accomplish this. 

The second is recognizing that time management does not mean productivity which will equate to a happy life. 

Step back and assess what’s important to you personally and professionally. Taking stock of this, understanding how and when you are most effective and accepting your own human limitations will put you on the right path towards getting done what needs to be done.