Time Management in Your Professional Life
Yes, this title can be an oxymoron! Ultimately, we choose how to spend our time, but sometimes we're presented with opportunities that throw their schedule out of whack. We call this a “time management & priorities challenge”.
I recently had this happen to me. I was offered the opportunity to do a long-term Web site project. It would be lucrative, fun, and challenging. But it would also require me to dedicate several weeks at a time to one client.
You should consider the pros and cons of the opportunity before saying ‘yes’. Here are some questions to help you with the decision-making process:
Am I excited about this right now?
It’s important to trust your gut. If you aren’t excited about the terms or the people that you might have to work with, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get more excited as time goes on.
What will I have to give up to make this a reality?
We’re all given the same 24 hours in a day, so you will have to give up something to fit in this opportunity. This might be a good time to prioritize other areas of your personal and professional life.
How will this contribute to my goals?
Remember that your personal and professional goals are linked together, even if it doesn't seem that way at first glance. If this opportunity isn’t helping you reach any of your goals, it will make it difficult for you to stay committed.
On a final note, here’s a funny thing that I’ve noticed about time management. When you’re presented with something that you don’t want to do, you will find every way possible to explain why you don’t have the time. When you’re presented with something that you’re looking forward to, you will miraculously to find the time. Kinda funny how that works.
Leila Johnson is the creator of Driving to Success: Let Your Spirit Take the Wheel, a spiritual approach to professional development. The concept consists of a coaching program, Webinar series, and a forthcoming book to be published in 2010. In addition, Leila co-owns and manages two businesses with her husband, Data-Scribe® and National Copreneur Society. She is also pursuing her Ph.D. in Metaphysical Sciences.