Stop Trying to Manage Your Time
Here’s a simpler blueprint you can follow. No green smoothies or cold showers. I promise.
You’ve been there. You set up your perfectly crafted to-do list, you allocate time for each task, you have your coffee in hand, and you’re ready to conquer the day.
Then life happens.
An emergency email derails your plans, a last-minute meeting shows up, or perhaps, your child spills juice all over the kitchen floor.
The next thing you know, you’re juggling tasks like a circus performer.
And let’s face it, you’re no Ringmaster.
Sound familiar?
Well, here’s an audacious proposal; Stop trying to manage your time.
Yep, you read that right.
Why Traditional Time Management Doesn’t Work
Here’s the question for you, — Can you really control time?
We’re often told that we have 24 hours in a day and how we use them separates the successful from the unsuccessful.
But can you actually control time?
The reality is, that time will pass whether you’re productive or not.
“Time management is not a peripheral activity or skill. It is the core skill upon which everything in life depends.” — Brian Tracy
While Brian Tracy’s quote resonates with many, it’s worth asking: If managing time is so critical, why are we still struggling?
Quick tip? Ditch the clock. Instead of constantly eyeing the clock, focus on what really matters: the tasks at hand.
Prioritize your work based on urgency and importance, rather than how much time it might take. Remember,
We’re not built to multitask.
Contrary to popular belief, humans aren’t adept at multitasking. Studies show that multitasking reduces your efficiency and performance because your brain can only focus on one thing at a time.
When you multitask, your brain merely switches from one task to another rapidly. It’s a myth that juggling multiple tasks makes us more productive.
Another quick tip? Single-task your way to success. Pick one task and give it all your attention. You’ll find that you not only complete it quicker but also produce better quality work.
Here’s the lowdown on my deep dive into multitasking and what I found out:
What To Do Instead?
Here’s a nugget of wisdom for you; — Focus on managing your energy, not just your time.
When you hear “manage your energy,” you might be tempted to roll your eyes. It sounds like one of those motivational phrases that don’t actually mean anything, right?
“Sure,” you think, “next, you’ll tell me to ‘find my passion’ or ‘follow my bliss.’”
Well, hold on a second.
What if I told you that this isn’t just motivational jargon? What if focusing on your energy could actually be the game-changing approach to productivity you’ve been searching for?
“Energy, not time, is the fundamental currency of high performance.” — Tony Schwartz
When Tony Schwartz speaks about energy as the currency for high performance, he’s hitting on a critical concept that many of us overlook.
The 9-to-5 grind isn’t just draining your time; it’s draining your energy. And unlike time, energy is something you can replenish, manage, and optimize.
How to engage in effective energy management?
We all have periods during the day when we feel more alert, concentrated, and creative — those are your energy “peaks.”
Conversely, we also experience energy “valleys,” those slump moments when you can hardly focus and all you can think about is a cup of coffee or a quick nap.
Quick actionable tip? — Energy Mapping.
- Create an “Energy Map” of your day.
- Identify your peaks and valleys.
- Schedule high-priority tasks during peak times.
- Use valleys for less demanding activities like checking emails or administrative work.
It’s not just about relentless focus and pushing yourself to the edge of your capabilities.
It’s also about knowing when to pause when to take a breather, and when to engage in activities that restore you — be it a short walk, a 5-minute meditation, or a quick chat with a friend.
Here’s my tip for you, — Take breaks that actually recharge you.
- Practice the “20–20–20 Rule” for reducing eye strain: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Take mindful breaks, not just scrolling through your phone breaks.
- Consider “power naps” for a quick recharge; 10–20 minutes is often enough.
So, are you actually managing your energy or just killing time?
The myth we need to debunk here is that busy equals productive. Just because your calendar is full doesn’t mean you’re being effective.
Could it be that you’re simply filling time instead of genuinely investing in tasks that require your energy?
By focusing on energy management rather than time management, you unlock a more nuanced, dynamic way to approach your day.
You move from being reactive — constantly putting out fires — to being proactive, where you strategically invest your best self into tasks that really matter.
Unlearning Time Management Myths
We all have that friend who seems to be the guru of time management.
You know the one: meticulously color-coded calendar, incessant reminders popping up on their phone, and always running from one thing to the next.
They seem busy — insanely busy.
But the real question is, are they effective? Or are they just glorifying busyness and mistaking it for productivity?
“Being busy is most often used as a guise for avoiding the few critically important but uncomfortable actions.” — Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss nails it with this observation. We often hide behind the facade of “I’m too busy” to avoid dealing with what’s really important.
We tell ourselves that if we could manage our time better, we’d get everything done.
But what if that’s not the problem? What if it’s not about managing time but rather about making smarter choices with our attention and focus?
Are You Busy or Just Busy Avoiding?
One of the most widespread myths about time management is that being busy equals being productive.
But how much of that busy time is spent on tasks that genuinely align with your goals? Are you drowning in busy work while your meaningful projects languish?
Here’s another quick tip for you — try the Busy Test.
- Quick audit — Grab a notepad and jot down the tasks you did today.
- Next, categorize them — as ‘Mission-Critical,’ ‘Important but not Urgent,’ and ‘Busy Work.’
- Now take a hard look. How much of your day is consumed by ‘Busy Work’?
By challenging the established norms about time management, you create space for a more intelligent, energy-aligned strategy.
It’s time to shift from the obsession with “more time” to a more focused, goal-oriented mindset. After all, time is finite, but your capacity to make meaningful contributions isn’t.
Bottom line:
You might have clicked on this article thinking, “Okay, here’s another lecture on time management.” But I hope you’re walking away with something far more enriching.
After all, I didn’t just debunk myths about time management; we ventured into the radical yet immensely practical realm of energy management.
It’s not just a shift in perspective; it’s a life-altering shift in how you operate day-to-day.
“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” — William Penn
William Penn sums it up perfectly. We’re all after more time when, in reality, it’s not about the amount of time we have but how effectively we use it.
Your next move — Time or Energy? Which matters more?
Ask yourself, will you continue down the path of obsessing over time, filling your days with meaningless busy work?
Or will you shift gears and start focusing on what truly requires your energy and attention?
Last but not least, here are your next steps from me:
- Revisit the ‘Busy-Test’ you took earlier. Make it a weekly practice.
- Engage in ‘Energy Mapping.’ It’s not just an exercise; it’s a lifestyle change.
The ball’s in your court. Will you stick with the status quo, or are you ready for a change that makes a real difference?
Because, let’s be honest, it’s easy to be busy. It’s much harder to be effective.
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