Time Management and its Relationship to Success

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Time Management and its Relationship to Success

I have had the opportunity to be around very successful people over the last couple of years and I do everything that I can to learn from them about what has contributed to their success.  One thing that I have learned is that each of these guys does the same things.  And after asking them about how they learned their work habits, they all have learned it from some of the nation’s greatest leaders.  The thing that I have concluded is that Successful people tend to have the same habits and they all conduct their day very similarly and a large part of their success is attributed to time management and most of these skills are easily learned.

They are intentional with their time:  The first thing that I learned is that successful people get up before anyone else does and they spend a certain amount of time planning out their day and following that schedule.  This consists of deciding the top 2 or 3 things that need to be accomplished that day and setting up a plan to make sure and accomplish those tasks.  Most have a list that helps them keep track of the things that need to get done and they do those things.  When, on occasion that “thing” does not get done, it gets pushed over to the next day until it is completed.  But important tasks are not forgotten and they are accomplished because it was intended to happen that day.

Time Blocking:  Successful people will time block their calendar.  What is this?  This is where you will block out the amount of time that you anticipate that it will take you to do something and you are intentional with your time during that time period to complete it.  Before I start work, I take time to block out my day with the events that I know need to get accomplished.  I know that if I do not do this that it will be easy for me to forget to do something or just not get it done because I have a “got a minute” impromptu meeting.  If you have your schedule set, you will be more apt to stay on schedule and not chase a rabbit.  Sometimes, it is necessary to handle something that is an emergency, but for the most part, you do not deviate from your intended schedule.  You will get much more done.  I Promise.

Surround yourself with Successful People:  You will adapt to the people that you are around.  It is natural.  If you want to be organized and successful, put effort into being around organized and successful people.  On the other hand, if you go and put yourself around unsuccessful people it won’t take long.  You will be right there with them in a short amount of time. Dating back to the 1500’s Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) had the following quote “Tell me thy company, and I’ll tell thee what thou art”. -.  In other words, show me who you are hanging out with and that will tell me who you are and what you will become; with a scary amount of certainty.

The best thing that I have done is just spend a considerable amount of time studying successful people.  As you do this, like I said earlier, you will notice that they all have a history of the same behavioral habits.  I would also recommend that you spend time doing what you can to take someone successful to lunch or breakfast and be intentional with your time with them.   Don’t be embarrassed if you are turned down.  It will happen, but eventually if you do not give up, you will be able to put yourself around some very successful people and be on your way to learning how to be successful as well.