ODE TO TIME
… something has to go, and simple truths in time management
Monday Apr. 14, 2014
Cannot spend more than 60 minutes an hour!
Only 24 hours each day.
Can I cram 25 or more into today?
For each something I add, must something go?
24, take away, 1 = ?
Who keeps track?
Each time I save minutes – eliminating some item, duty or postponed task, what happens to time I’ve spent so much effort saving?
Down some black hole of extra sleep? I wish …
I can only save, spend or invest 100 cents of every dollar.
Simple math.
Childhood experiences school us. We cannot spend 110 cents (unless we are government) while living within our means. Why then, did we not learn that lesson with time?
Becoming efficient, better organized, simplifying life and processes – there ought to be piled up minutes, hours every day, awaiting reallocation. Many years worth should be piled here, waiting for me, for leisure, for sleep …
Where did they go?
Too hard trying, too often, to do too much too soon for too many.
Not for clients, not for friends or family – but for me, myself and I.
Blame belongs squarely there.
Saving time?
Myth.
What return on investment should I expect?
Saved time has value.
Reduced costs, increased efficiency.
Makes life better.
Technology, at core of this. Maybe too much technology, not enough thinking on our part.
Technology doesn’t deserve this blame.
Technology is my accomplice in time-saving, but not responsible when I so blithely overspend my saved time on fresh commitments.
Minutes saved disappeared. Back-filled with longer tasks. Eliminated ten minute projects substituted by half-hour ones.
Simple math.
Simple logic.
Simple truth.
I need more time.
More, or less.
Mark Kolke
198,656
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: -4C/25F, sunny, light breeze, ground still frozen but warming coming back today; short-loop walk, lots of squirrels – Gusta is somehow ravenous. I’m not, but I could eat . . .
Reader feedback / comments always welcome:
Hi Mark. I just heard a wonderful presentation on simplifying your work and it made me realize how much time I am spending on reading email that, while interesting and thought provoking, is not essential to my own goals. Your email is often fascinating but it's five minutes a day that I don't have right to spare right now, so I have unsubscribed. I'll look forward to seeing you at Toastmaster events, but I just don't have time for your daily email right now, CR, Calgary, AB
