The Secret to a Better Life: Time Management

The work/life tug-of-war

Most people, especially business owners, struggle with work/life balance.

And it creates a lot of unnecessary stress.

After all, no one is born to “do business” – we’re born to live. Yet too many owners sacrifice their lives for their business.

I hear some version of this all the time from my clients:

• My family needs me, and I want to spend time with them, but I can’t because the business would fall apart without me.
• I’m missing my kids’ practices or recitals, and I feel like a bad parent, but I need to make the business successful to look after my family.
• I’m making good money, but I can’t enjoy it because I’m spending all my time at work.

Or – they may be physically home with their family, but mentally they’re checked out because they’re worrying about the business.

In so many cases, these businesses are not only “not giving the owners the life they want” – the business is actually making their lives worse.

Business problems are personal problems in disguise

My clients may come in the door looking for help with any of the big three business problems – time, team, money – but what they’re really seeking is a better life.

They want the time, energy, and mental presence to be with their spouse and children. They want time off to enjoy the wealth their business provides.

But here’s the truth: business problems are almost always personal problems.

In the quest to build a better business – a business that will give you the life you really want – you will need to work on yourself.

We often say here at W5 Coaching that if the owner wants a better business, first the business needs a better owner.

What if I told you that managing your time well could unlock a better life?

I know that sounds kind of outrageous, but the truth is that when you’re focused on your goals and your vision for your life – and you have a structured way of achieving what you want – you WILL have a better life.

In fact, the number one thing you can do to improve your life is to recognize your circle of control and focus on the areas where you have agency.

One of the biggest areas you can control?

Your time. Your calendar.

Don’t let your business consume your life

No one starts a business with the goal of letting that business consume their life.

But it happens.

And it happens a lot easier than you might think.

You get sucked into the whirlwind, and you start letting other people control your time with their expectations.

The result can be a lot of stress, plus feeling like you’re shackled to your business 24/7.

Doesn’t sound like a great life to me!

And, yet – most owners started their business in pursuit of a better life.

You CAN get there – even if today your time seems completely out of your control.

By establishing a sense of agency over how you use your time to meet your goals, you can create for yourself the type of life you’ve wanted all along.

How to manage your time for a better life

Here are some simple ways you can take ownership of your time, lowering stress and leading to a better life:

Track your time

Start out by documenting where you’re actually spending your time.

Then make a plan to whittle away less impactful tasks until you’re focusing on only what YOU can do.

Hire a virtual assistant

A strong VA can save you so much time and effort on routine, yet essential, tasks that keep your business running smoothly.

Define your tasks and goals – make sure you focus only on goals, and delegate tasks to your VA or another trusted member of your team.

Get out of the hub and spoke trap

I get it. You’re used to pitching in wherever you’re needed to keep everything on the rails, but that ends up pulling you in multiple directions and splitting your focus.

Concentrate on being the leader and setting organizational vision, then let good people and systems to take care of everything else.

Good time management is the process of organizing and strategically controlling the time you spend on specific areas of your business.

When you do it well, time management lets you get more done in less time, even when you have an endless to-do list.

Effectively managing your time is about behaviour.

It’s about taking action and getting things done.

It’s about structuring your business so that it’s serving your life – rather than spending your life serving the business.

You might even say it’s the business version of “putting your own oxygen mask on first.” Because if the business doesn’t take care of the owner, the owner can’t take care of the business.

When your business operates smoothly, profitably, and mostly without you – you’re better able to deliver great products and services, create jobs, do the work you enjoy, and make a difference in the world.

And have a life!

If you’re ready to finally get a business that gives you the life you want, book 15 minutes to talk about coaching here: Book a Call with John

Your life is waiting.