More Time is Never the Answer. Discipline is.

INTRODUCTION

"So much to do. If I only had time, only had time..." so went a song that was once popular many years ago.

It's also an excuse often used by some to explain their lack of progress or success.

"I wish I could do such-and-such, but I really don't have the time," you might say.

By implication this suggests that those who have been able to do the things you have not been able to do, had more time than you. That's not so. We all get 24 hours in a day irrespective of who we are. The question is what do you do with the time available?

TIME FLIES.

"THE BAD NEWS IS TIME FLIES. THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU'RE THE PILOT"

- Michael Altshuler

Often, it does feel like time flies especially when you have a to-do list as long as your arm.

Fortunately, the solution is in your hands.

Time may be a precious resource, but it can never be too short. It is always there for us to do whatever we please with it. And, depending on what you choose to do with it, time can work for you or against you.

Use your time wisely or invest it such as we do here in WA, and you will reap benefits. Misuse it on trivial pursuits, such as watching TV all day long, and you will forever be wondering where the time went,

How you choose to use this resource, often determines how far you will go in life.

Take this, for example. You decide to watch your favourite TV program instead of finishing that business proposal due the following morning. If, as a result, you miss a business opportunity, you can't put the blame on lack of time.

SELF-DISCIPLINE IS THE ANSWER

We hear this all the time that Self-Discipline is the real 'secret' to success. This post is not about self-discipline but without self-discipline, you cannot use your time effectively.

We all know of people who are always late for appointments. They blame heavy traffic when the truth is that they did not feel like getting up in the morning because they were too tired. They didn't go to the gym in the morning because it was too cold and too dark.

These are people who do things only when it feels good to do them. Discomfort and inconvenience is avoided at all costs. As a result they are forever running late, out of time or behind time.

Want to use your time efficiently? Don't be over concerned about your comfort or your convenience. Instead, do what needs to be done whether you feel like it or not.

PROTECT YOUR TIME FROM THIEVES

Want to see progress in your life?

Learn to protect your time. Below there are two tips you might want to try.

1. Teach yourself to Say "No".

When I was younger, saying "No" was the most difficult thing for me to do.

Family members, bosses, colleagues and friends, often stole my time, sometimes, unintentionally. At work, I was the solution if there was urgent work or extra work to be done.

I was young, energetic and came from a family of workaholics. So, saying "No", even when I had more than enough on my plate, felt like betraying a family tradition.

Soon I felt resentful as I constantly worked under pressure, while the quality of my work suffered.

I had to protect my time. I learned to say "No". It wasn't easy. But once I did it the first time, it became easier to say No again and again when it was necessary to do so.

BUT I AM MY OWN BOSS, YOU MIGHT SAY

Saying "No" applies equally well, especially when you are your own boss.

You may, like me, find almost everything that comes your way interesting. Courses to learn, more projects to take on. There is a temptation, therefore, to take more than you can handle. Each time you do, you increase the chances of overworking and losing focus. The trick is to budget your time as you would your money.

2. Learn to Prioritize

Once you know what is important to you, it's easy to say to yourself, 'No not now', whenever you're tempted to bite more than you can chew.

You will know what is urgent and what can wait until tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year.

CONCLUSION

Time is constant. There's always 24 hours in a day. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Some people are more successful in the use of their time than others.

The reason for this might be that they have mastered self-discipline. Self management, therefore, may be more effective than time management skills.

What about you? How do you handle the temptation to say "yes" even when your plate is full?

Do you think there is such a thing as self management? If yes how important is it in growing a successful business?

Kindly like this post and leave your comments below.

Thank you.

Thokozile.