It's So Easy To Waste Time

By Dave Saunders

I have a confession to make. As much as I try, there are times when time flies because I wasted it. This sort of thing is likely to happen to all of us. It probably happens far more often than we like to admit. By accepting responsability for these events, we are better able to grow and develop personal mastery of our use of time.

The other night, I wanted to review a home-study program I recently purchased. The program consists of 12 audio CD, a book of flash cards and a workbook. I could not find the workbook anywhere. In my mind's eye, I could see the workbook. Through my real eyes, I couldn't find it anywhere. For some reason I became a little obsessed over finding this workbook. Before I knew it, over 2 hours had passed.

In the end, I didn't find the workbook, so those 2 hours passed with no benefit to me or anyone else.

This event is now in my past, but I can learn from it. I was in the middle of collecting receipts for my new bookkeeper (a far more important task, and one I was resisting), and I was organizing papers into files and sorting through old magazines. Had I continued those projects, I would have found the workbook under a stack of papers. Instead of blowing 2 hours, I would have moved another project forward at the same time. I could have also continued to listen to the audio program while I was working.

My over-focus on a specific issue resulted in a lack of focus on what I was really trying to achieve.

I know I'm not alone dealing with this challenge. Many of my business-coaching clients get into similar jams.

• Spending days on a new flyer or advertisement to generate new leads while neglecting time to follow up with existing prospects.
• Devoting time to tasks which are neither urgent nor important when important tasks are awaiting attention.
• Getting sidetracked by incoming emails instead of working on more important newsletter content.

Each time you find yourself procrastinating, even if it's too late to do anything about it, reflect on what may be at the heart of resistance to do what you know is more important. Are you just making excuses for why you're letting the "time thieves" get the best of you?

Ask yourself empowering questions. What can you learn from the situation? What might you do better the next time you're in a similar circumstance?

Let your past be an opportunity for growth.

Dave Saunders is a national speaker and published author on personal performance. Make more money, spend more time with your family and have time for yourself too. You can have it all when you learn how to master your time at http://www.the-time-management-guy.com

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