Looking for Big Blocks of Time

One time management challenge is the search for a "big block of time" where we can focus on a large or complex task. For instance, I have a lot of trees in my yard and so I look for a big block of time in the Spring and/or Fall to prune all of our trees. The reality is that finding a big block of time is hard to do. As a result, the trees get taller and the pruning goes undone.

The same can be true for work projects. We want a big block of time to focus on and complete the XYZ project. Unfortunately, our day is full of tasks and other events and so finding a big block of time is difficult. And so, we put the project off thinking that maybe we will have time at the end of the week. As a result, the project goes undone until it is an emergency and we have to neglect a days worth of activities or work a marathon day-late into the evening.

Isn’t it easier to break up a task and/or project into smaller chunks over a period of time? Prune a tree a day. Work on a project for 30 minutes a day (schedule it on your calendar – "Work on XYZ Project, 3:30-4:00"). In most cases, finding a big block of time to get something done is hard to do. Try dividing it into parts and spreading it over a week, 2 weeks, a month, a year, etc.

Annual Personal Review

I was at the gym exercising and talking with the person next to me on the elliptical machine. She was talking about her 65 hour work week and how stressful her life is right now. As I was wrapping up my workout I wished her a nice day and said that I hoped that she would be able to have a "normal" eight hour day at work. She smiled and said that she was just about finished with her annual employee reviews. She only had two reviews left and thought that she would be about to "cut out early." Two thoughts struck me from this conversation.

Isn't it interesting that we consider ourselves "cutting out early" if we just put in the required number of hours for our job? I find myself regularly putting in 10+ hours each day right now and sometimes do work on the weekends. What is the cost? What are the benefits? The answer is different for everyone. My point in today's blog is to ask you those two questions. What cost are you paying for working overtime? What are the benefits that you are receiving for putting in the extra hours? How are the other two rings (self and relationships) being impacted? If the costs outweigh the benefits, maybe you need to make some adjustments. If you are reaping big benefits from the extra work, make sure you are regularly asking yourself (and others) the benefit/cost questions. The answers can change very quickly and when they do, don't wait very long to make the adjustment.

The second thought I had was about annual employee reviews. Employee reviews, when done correctly, can be a very effective tool. It is a time to review progress, look at strengths, consider weaknesses, show appreciation, and make goals for the next year. What about doing an Annual Personal Review of yourself, by yourself? Cut out a block of time specifically for your personal review. Evaluate your progress. Look at your strengths-list them. Consider your weaknesses and how you can improve-make a specific plan. Show yourself some appreciation-indulge yourself in some kind of celebration. Then make some goals for next year. Just like employee reviews, you should do this at a minimum of once a year-formally! Even better are quarterly reviews with less formal monthly evaluations. Don’t make me call Human Resources!!

Another Reason You May Be Juggling Elephants

On a calendar in a doctor's office I saw the following quote:

The root of being uptight is our unwillingness to accept life

as being different, in any way, from our expectations.

I found it quite profound because it describes so clearly another reason some of us become so overwhelmed with life-our expectations and reality are not in sync. We just feel like if we make that extra "super human" effort we will finally achieve _________________ (you fill in the blank.) Rarely do things work out that way.

Does this mean we shouldn't give our best effort and expect the best from others? Does this mean we should settle for mediocrity in our own pursuits and accept less than others? Of course not. What it does mean is that we need to allow for mistakes from ourselves and others. We need to realize that everything may not work out the way we planned-but it worked out better than if no plan at all was in place. Ultimately, what's the purpose of your circus-to have such lofty expectations of yourself and others that you always feel like a failure-or to see yourself (and others) as a work in progress?

The Difference

USA Today had a series recently on "Sports and Academics." It was quite thorough and included thoughts and perspectives from athletes, coaches and college leaders. One day they highlighted the thoughts of two athletes about their college experience. Read their words and see if you notice a difference:

Chinyere "Chi Chi" Okpaleke
When I received my diploma, I realized it was all worth it. I thank God every day I took the road less traveled, stayed true to my heart and stuck with it. (Entire Article)

Steven Cline
Now I look back and say, 'Well, what did I really go to college for? Crap classes you won't use the rest of your life?' Social science is nothing specific. I majored in football.(Entire Article)

The difference, in Juggling Elephants terms, was that one stayed true to their purpose while the other was distracted by the purpose of others. If you read both articles you will see that both faced difficult challenges. When the time came to make choices, however, one chose an answer that was contrary to their purpose, but more immediately gratifying or convenient. The other made a choice that required more sacrifice now, but with outcomes that would be worth it in the future.

I wish I could say that I could most readily identify with Okpaleke, but I am more likely to be like Cline. I make choices that give me instant gratification or avoid some difficult obstacle, but leave me looking back with regret. Not just over the course of four years, but even in how I spend a day or an hour of my time. The result is the same.

What choices do you need to make today? And what choice would one day have you look back with gratitude and peace instead of pain and disappointment? An old quote comes to mind:

The pain of discipline and commitment is measured in ounces.

The pain of disappointment and regret is measured in tons.

Just 30 Minutes a Day

What can be accomplished in just 30 minutes? A lot of different items come to mind-a phone call to a friend, checking email, a stand up meeting, a power lunch, etc. In our block of 24 hours a day though, 30 minutes doesn't seem like much.

But consider if you took 30 minutes a day for a week, month or year. That same 30 minutes can really add up-3 hours and 30 minutes a week, 16 hours a month, 182 hours a year. I realize that I probably waste more than 30 minutes a day on unproductive activities (that's a blog for another day), but what is the power of focusing 30 minutes a day on a specific goal or task?

What would be the outcome of reading 30 minutes a day-how many books could you read? What if you spent 30 minutes a day writing a book-how soon would you have a novel? Experts say that there is real value in exercising just 30 minutes a day-how much weigh could you lose?

We had a very large load of top soil delivered to our home for our yard. The task was very overwhelming to me as I looked at that big pile of dirt in my driveway. But, I made the decision to wake up 30 minutes earlier in the morning and spend that time wheel barreling top soil. It took time but eventually the project was completed. I took satisfaction each day as I saw consistent progress towards my goal over time.

What can you accomplish if you consistently focused on something for 30 minutes a day? Pick a goal, carve out the time and then be amazed.