- The Concept of Time – How Its Progression Affects Important Tasks
Time is the progression of events from the past to the present into the future. Time marches forward relentlessly. From birth to death, we age, and every moment that passes is unique and unrepeatable. The more important tasks we accomplish within our lifespan, the more fulfilling and impactful our lives can be.
But what defines “important”? Is it happiness? Recognition? Pursuing a passion? How we define, or not define, “important” has a great deal to do with how we spend the time of our life span.
I believe in defining “important” through a written strategy. A written strategy articulates your values and what you deem important. It is a documented set of decisions about your personal vision and purpose. What constitutes a meaningful and satisfying life for you? What are your goals? And, crucially, how do you adapt your strategy as your life evolves?
Every moment spent not working towards something important feels like a loss – not in a negative way, but as a recognition of the limited time we have. We can’t avoid all “loss,” but we can maximize the time spent on what truly matters.
Without a defined strategy, we default to reacting to urgent tasks. Urgent tasks are tasks we perform when it would be more uncomfortable not to perform the tasks than to perform them. These tasks may or may not be genuinely important. Too often, the urgent displaces the important, leaving us busy but unfulfilled.
There is a way to avoid having urgent and unimportant tasks from taking time away from important tasks.
- Define Your “Important”: Articulate a strategy rooted in your core values. What do you want to achieve? What kind of life do you want to live?
- Plan and Schedule: Create a plan to achieve your strategic goals. Schedule time for these important tasks.
- Guard Your Time: Don’t let urgent, less important tasks hijack the time you’ve allocated for your priorities. Learn to say “no” or delegate effectively.
This approach, applied consistently, allows you to maximize the time spent on what truly matters, leading to a more fulfilling life.
This same strategic thinking can be applied to your business. If building wealth through your business is a key goal, I invite you to explore my Substack, Owning a Business (https://rickriebesell.substack.com/). I delve into Prior Diligence, a critical strategy for maximizing the value of your business. The Substack also features a moderated chat, creating a community for business owners to connect, learn, and address the unique challenges of entrepreneurship. A well-lived life can certainly include a successful and valuable business.
Time is finite. Without a clear strategy and plan, opportunities slip away. Don’t let that happen. Take control of your time and focus on what truly matters.