The time management myth. There have been countless book written on this subject. Everyone from CEOs and executives, to sports players and coaches, managers and supervisors, school teachers and students, to entrepreneur and full time stay at home moms, everyone at one time or another has looked for a way to manage their time better, more efficiently, myself included.
But here is what I have learned. Time is constant. It is ongoing. It is happening right now as you read this. Time is not concerned with your environment or surroundings. It is not concerned with your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or financial state of being. Time is on going regardless of your circumstances, it is constant.
Time Cannot be Managed
Your actions and behaviors on the other hand, can be. Everyone has 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That’s 168 hours per week. Whether you sleep all week or play, time still marches on.
So if everyone has the same amount of time, then why is it that some succeed, while many others fail? It doesn’t matter what industry or area of interest, you will have a handful that succeed and many that fail. Especially in the world of Entrepreneurship or in the online world I like to call, Webpreneurship, the same is true.
6 Figures or 6 Cents?
When you look at any Top Performer, you will see many common traits and characteristics that overlap regardless of the industry.
The actions and behaviors that they do and have are similar, whether it is in sports or academics, business or non-profit, music or cooking, sales or Webpreneurship. For any of them to become a Top Performer in their field, the one action all of them did was HUSTLE.
No I’m not talking about the slang version of hustle, i.e you hustled someone, implying you were deceitful in some way, but the type thrown out in sports when a coach says, “Ok, let’s show some hustle!”
Merriam-Websters Dictionary defines hustle as:
- to move or work in an energetic way
- to play a sport with a lot of energy and effort
I like to define hustle as “your most concentrated and focused efforts towards one single goal.”
This may sound simple, but it is easier said then done.
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Hustle vs. Spinning Your Wheels
The reason why hustle is easier said than done is because many can and do mistake busyness for action. They end up spinning their wheels vs. accomplishing true hustle.
That is why you will see Top Performers, “6 figure” earners, working only 20 hours a week or less, while the “6 cents” folks are working 50+ hours a week and struggling just to make ends meat.
The reason is that most people, myself included, like the feeling you get when you check off the box of a completed task. And I get it. You conquered. You accomplished something…..and it feels gooooooooood!
The challenge is, most “completed tasks” result in very little for the end goal in mind. Let’s take the Webpreneur for example:
Many Webpreneur will start off the day checking emails and phone messages in the morning. Next, they are returning e-mails and phone calls. Already there day has started being dictated by someone else’s agenda. And how many more times do they check their e-mail that day? The most important question, “How did that “completed task” help the Webpreneur drive revenue that day for their business?
My Top 6 List
Hustle-your most concentrated and focused efforts towards one single goal. Instead of getting 100 tasks done in a day, concentrate and focus your efforts each day towards prioritization. Out of all the “to do’s” which ones will make the most impact toward your desired goal?
Before you end each day make a Top 6 List. Only right down 6 things you need to accomplish for the next day. This will take about 15 minutes but it is worth it. Now that you can only write down 6, you have to make them count.
This strategy helps you make a concentrated and focused effort to prioritizing your day. It helps you think through what action really impacts your end goal the most. This my friends is what hustling is all about. It is not about being busy it’s about being clear on your goal.
In the end remember, you don’t need to manage time, you just need to manage yourself.
If you have any other strategies on what helps you manage your daily actions or any questions about this topic, please leave them below. It is greatly appreciated.
Jason
Founder
BestOnlineMarketingSystem.org
Andrew says
I love what you have done with this page. You did a great job of explaining. My fav part is the hustle vs spinning the wheels part. Great job. Keep it up.
Andrew
Jason says
Thx Andrew, I am glad you saw something valuable for you. Come back and visit, I put up new posts every 2-4 days.
Cheers.
Wayne says
Hey Jason,
Interesting approach to time management. I like the writing down the top 6 things that will have the most impact on your business to get done tomorrow.
I dedicate at-least 8 to 10 hours per day to my online business. Some days run real smooth and some days I feel completely lost. I,m going to try this little technique of yours and I’ll let you know how it works out.
Thanks
Jason says
I am glad you got something out of my post. Please come back and let me know how it works out for you.
To our success!
Anthony says
Awesome post. Keeping us on track! 🙂
Jason says
Thx Anthony. Glad I could help! 🙂
Damon says
I already write down each day on a sticky note of things I need to accomplish tomorrow this keeps me focused on the tasks at hand otherwise I would become so overwhelmed I would start a million things but nothing would ever become FINISHED! Great article with some great tips.
Jason says
I tried the post it’s but I lose ’em too easy lol, but I’m glad they work for you Damon. In the end, you have to find the thing that works for you and then stick with it!
To our success!
Martine says
Hi Jason,
Great post, love the ‘Webpreneurship’!
I actually prioritize first thing in the morning and create a list of things that I want to have done that day, which helps my focus, but I like the idea of writing down a top 6 list of things at the end of the day that will impact my business most. I’m adding this to the routine!
Kind regards,
Martine
Jason says
Thx Martine for the feedback. Let me know how it works for you! 🙂
Cathy says
Well said Jason!
What makes time really works is action. Planning time management is not sufficient enough. Carrying out the appropriate action plus a huge dose of concentration is what make or break productivity. Stick to the simple rule; be punctual, do one thing seriously at a time, finish one task before moving over to the next etc. are some timely habits that one can practice so that time can favor instead of going against us.
🙂
Jason says
Absolutely Cathy, couldn’t agree with you more.
Bill says
Hi Jason, very nice to read finally something original about time management. I normally make a to do list and set priority to at least 2-3 tasks, the rest can wait. I work myself through the priority ones and if there is still time over, I start with the rest. This way I don’t forget anything and all task are done finally. See you and keep writing!
Jason says
You got it Bill, sounds like you and I are using some of the same principles. Let me know some of your other top productivity ideas please. We can all learn from each other.
Best Wishes.