Why does time always run out on me?

By | Published 11th April 2017

We can often get to the day’s end wondering where the time disappeared to and that certain planned tasks have, for another day, been missed.

It must be time-bandits, that’s the only sensible and logical result. Sherlock Holmes would say ‘If you’ve eliminated all other possibilities whatever remains must be the truth.’ … or is it?

It is amazing how busy we ‘think’ we are when in fact we allow other aspects that are not relevant to what we need to do take control. With this in mind, here are some areas that Coaching to Success use to recapture time and accomplish your objectives:

  1. Using a notebook, online diary or memo pad etc, write your thoughts, actions and conversations along with when you carried them out. Do this for 7 days and on the 8th, assess to see how much time has been wasted on unproductive activities.
  2. Manage procrastination: The easiest way is to turn off Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest or other forms of social media and updates of every new email landing in your inbox. Be honest with yourself, how vital is it that these tools are needed instantaneously or can scheduled visits suffice?
  3. Before anything else, plan your day’s activities. Spend 30 minutes at the beginning of your day. Do not do anything until this has been accomplished.
  4. Remember to incorporate slots of time for those un-expected interruptions such as returning a call or working on some prices needed quickly etc.
  5. Do you leave your phone on when attending important meetings? Or do you give your undivided attention to the person your holding discussions with? If so, schedule appointments with yourself for carrying out important tasks and treat yourself as you would a most valued client.
  6. Practice not answering the phone just because it is ringing and emails just because they show up. Schedule a time to answer email and return those calls.
  7. At the beginning and end of each new task, decide what results you want to achieve. Check (a) whether it was and (b) within the time you allocated for it. Learn from this for future.
  8. Put up a ‘Do not disturb’ sign when you must get the work done. This is for yourself as much as others who want to impose on your time.

There are many ways in which Coaching to Success can help you and your business improve productivity. Managing what you have to do in the time allocated is just one area but we have many other tools to help you out too.

Should you be interested in discussing how we can help you increase productivity or improve your work/life balance, then contact Neil, neil.nutburn@coachingtosuccess.co.uk or 07761 187238 to arrange a free consultation on how Coaching to Success can help you.

Having read this, why not allocate some time to check out Neil by watching our YouTube video HERE.