In the 1980's when the term "Time Management" started to catch on among most people, the aim was to work more in less time. Effectiveness was a keyword and timetables or "to do lists" appeared everywhere. It made sense at the time and people felt motivated to fit more and more work activities into their daily schedules. "Time is money" was a popular expression. Just when your regular day could not handle more activities, working longer hours was the solution to be able to do a little more then yesterday! It was an exciting time with lots of energy. The problem was that it just wasn't sustainable. Working 60-80 hour weeks might be all right for a while, but it has consequences for both business and private life in the long run. During the 1990's we began paying for the fantastic professional effectiveness that we experienced in the 80's. Many families broke apart, because there was no time to be together and share a strong bond. A new disease called "burnt-out-syndrome" was suddenly on everyone's lips and it carried with it enormous costs, both on a business, as well as on a private level. So, what really happened here? Looking at it in hindsight, we realize that when people get disconnected from their values and desires, and their only focus is on output, then burnout can result. When people loose control over their time and feel that they cannot risk changing their plans, it is usually the classic start of the stress syndrome.
A recent study has shown, that a normal office worker today processes in one year the information and workload that took 3 years, only ten years ago! We want to be effective, but when the true human cost exceeds that of the higher output, it is time to reconsider and change our idea of time management. This has been the proposal of many time management studies and as a result, we have found a new approach, that of shifting the focus from quantity to quality.
To focus on quality seems like a logical next step, but how do we do this when our calendars and "to do" lists are overcrowded and the expectations are still high? One solution is the 80/20 formula from Pareto. The Key is to focus our energy on the 20 percent of our key goals or tasks, and to choose carefully if we spend our time on the 80 percent that have almost no impact on our sucess in life. Now, to be able to make such a choice, we need to stop and ask ourselves a few questions:
1. What is really important to me?
2. What are the key-factors to be successful in my business/life?
3. What does my ideal life look like?
4. What are my possibilities?
5. What barriers are there and how can I overcome them?
This process might not always be so easy to accomplish, and many people have found that working with a coach on these questions has helped them find clarity and see what options they have.
By discovering new possibilities about how to live and work by your values, you will feel more balanced, both emotionally and physically. As a result, you will have a clear vision for your future, and you'll develop a high level of energy and focus to ensure that future. Passion and enthusiasm will return to your life and you will be back on the road to success!
