Jay Kubassek, co-founder of Six FigureMentors and Digital Experts Academy, recently wrote an article on effective time management. In it he shares one of his biggest secrets to success over the years: How he gets the most bang for his effort “bucks.”
This simple distinction has helped him build multiple 7-figure businesses over the years with no formal education or business training.
Effective Time Management: Urgent vs Important
“Great time management means being effective as well as efficient. Managing time effectively, and achieving what you want to achieve, means spending your time on the tasks and issues that are important and not just urgent.
Effective Time Management: Start with the end in mind
Know what the outcomes of your day/week/month/year are before you start taking action. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.
Every Monday morning Jay breaks projects into individual tasks that can be completed in 30-60 minutes max.
Then, he make two fresh to-do lists: Important and Urgent.
Important tasks are the ones that will have an immediate impact on his life and business.
He knocks these out first.
The second list has everything else that needs to get done for the week.
This list includes doing things for others, catching up on emails, paying bills, meetings, administrative tasks, etc.
The goal is to knock out 3-5 Important items off of the list each day, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. (He doesn't pencil any in for Thursday in case he's running behind.)
Thursday and Friday are his days to catch-up and take care of the Urgent items and “busy” type work.
Effective Time Management: Eliminate distraction
Multi-tasking doesn't work. Can a professional golfer, surfer, tennis player, or race car driver surf the net, check social media feeds, and afford to be distracted while trying to play at the top of their game?
If you are anything like me – you can only do one thing at a time well. And, you'll prefer to leave the endless notifications, chimes, reminders, beeps, and vibrations for the scatter-brained…
Effective Time Management: Leave room for life to happen
Jay fills only 60% of my calendar daily; He leaves 20% available for spontaneity, and 20% as a reality (kid, dog, car, etc.) buffer.
This tip alone will transform your days by reducing unplanned, time-zapping headaches- into minor, scheduled tasks.
Once you grasp the cardinal importance of this and allow yourself some space for surprises, you will be amazed how much easier life becomes.
No one won wins a battle against Father Time, you can only work with him…
Effective Time Management: Don't be attached to the linear order of things
Jay tends to do his best work when he's am having fun. He tries to be flexible with my schedule, plans, and lists- willing to move things around as needed.
What if don't get done what you intended to get done?
No biggie- I take a deep breath, go for a walk in the morning and hit the reset button.
Building a business (or life) is a marathon and no game is ever won or lost in one moment or opportunity. It's what you do consistently over time that has a compounding effect- not what's done under the gun…
Effective Time Management: MILK IT!
If Jay finds himself in an inspired state or creative “groove”- he stays in it as long as he possibly can. Creativity and inspiration are the dew of the Gods' IMHO and not to be taken for granted.
The creative process can be fickle, so it's best to give it room to breathe and happen organically. If invention is the the mother of necessity, them creativity is the daughter.
We all have vast creative abilities but few of us ever truly nurture it, cultivate it, or allow it the time and space to blossom naturally.
Effective Time Management: Pace yourself
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Effective Time Management: Transfer unfinished tasks to the following day without regret
There is always tomorrow… As long as you did your absolute best today- you will rest peacefully tonight. No one can make you feel bad for a job well done.
Rome was not built in a day my friend. Try and remind yourself of this daily.
Effective Time Management: Learn to say “no” with finesse
Spreading myself too thin is a bad habit that always bites me in the ass… and not looking out for Numero Uno serves no one in the end.
People will respond positively to your self-imposed boundaries and assertiveness.
They will respect you for having the foresight to demand it… It screams self-power and is inspiring to others.
Effective Time Management: Keep at it
Keep working at your plan each and every day. Remind yourself daily that time is on your side. Don't be attached to how long it takes, rather be attached only to the eventual outcome. (Don't worry about how you get it, just that you get it.)
Effective Time Management: Have fun, for goodness' sake
Last but not least, I always try to have fun with what I have to do…
Seriously- nothing is worth doing if you don't love what it is you do.”
This article by Jay on effective time management was created from a recent Wake Up Call he did on Blog Talk Radio.
You can read the original article here and listen to the “Wake Up Call” below.
Enjoy and take action
Work it! Work it Good… 11 Ways to Explode Your Productivity and Get More Done- While Having More Fun
Jay Kubassek is a serial digital entrepreneur and co-founder of Digital Experts Academy. He is also a professional speaker and trainer, Baja off-road racer (Dust Racing), member of the New York Blue Elephant Polo team, self-taught cellist, amateur photographer, amateur chef and indie film producer (Aliquot Films).
