Learning to manage time is essential for success and satisfaction. Yeah, we know: Easier said than done! Even the most accomplished scheduler can struggle with “how,” “where,” and “when” to do “what.”

After all, we all get caught up with details, distractions, and delays. At the extreme, that leads to less leisure and family time, less sleep, and more stress.   Especially during this holiday season.

It’s natural for productivity and outlook to suffer if immersed in a mire of backlogged obligations. Sure, some are great performers when stressed, but nobody performs better when preoccupied and exhausted.  A haphazard schedule is a recipe for such conditions.

One critical part of efficiency is analyzing how time is spent.  Through such basic observations we can make the most of each moment.

Renewability
Guess what? More than a second just past, seconds we’ll never have back. Poof! They’re gone forever. That’s one less heartbeat, one less breath, and one more moment where a sensory experience was imprinted into your brain.

Opportunity Cost
So time is a finite resource. Now picture yourself waiting in a 10 minute line for coffee. Sure, your cup of jo is only $3. But how much is your time worth? In fact, how much money or satisfaction could you earn in 10 minutes? Consider what you could’ve accomplished. So is queuing worth it, or should you invest in a coffee machine?

Perception
Our present is often governed by anticipation of the future. In fact, time is one of the only commodities where buyer’s remorse haunts the present. The difference between a positive, droll, or hassled workday is far from just the day’s tasks.

Investment
The immediate past doesn’t just affect our present outlook, but current and future prospects. Think output, skill development, and networks. Of course, that also requires personal appraisal. With enough time near anybody can learn brain surgery. However, are they going to be any good at it? More importantly, what else could they have accomplished?

Time is Essential, Not just “of” the Essence.
Spend your time wisely and reap the rewards of overall performance, not just productivity.

Using money requires time and good sense, but spending time requires experience and self control. So how can you assess that?

Find a coach who can review your daily patterns and offer solutions. Learn how to boost your performance and up your daily happiness.