It doesn’t matter what kind of work you do or where you do it—everyone struggles with the battle for time. Most entrepreneurs, including many we’ve worked with, have attended countless courses and purchased products on time management, yet their calendars still seem to spiral out of control every 90 days. Sound familiar? Whether it’s your team fighting for time on the calendar or you trying to balance client appointments with growth activities, the challenge is universal. The good news? There’s a solution to help you master time management and break the exhausting cycle.
How to Stop the Pattern of Time Thievery
The first step to mastering time management is recognizing the pattern of “time thievery” that sneaks in every 90 days. A common misconception is that once you fix your calendar, it will stay that way. The reality is that your workflow, team needs, and personal commitments constantly fluctuate, so your approach to managing time needs regular adjustments.
A Simple Strategy to Regain Control
Here’s a straightforward but effective strategy: right now, go to your calendar and book an appointment every 90 days for the next year. Yes, a real appointment—one you treat as non-negotiable. Ideally, schedule this on a Monday or Friday, what we call “Construction Days.” During this time, revisit your time template, analyze where “time thievery” has crept into your schedule, and assess the important tasks that didn’t make the cut over the past month. Then, adjust accordingly.
Why This Works to Master Time Management
You might think this sounds too simple. Perhaps you’ve tried similar strategies before, and they didn’t work. Or maybe you’re convinced it won’t work for your practice. Think again—it really is that simple. The key is sticking to a time template, like the “Time and Money” model, and proactively scheduling a “90-day Time Analysis” with your key team members. With consistency and discipline, you’ll start seeing results within 90 days.
Imagine a Firm Where You Control Your Time
Picture this: as the entrepreneur, you have uninterrupted, pre-scheduled time each week to focus on creativity, nurture referral relationships, and tackle future-focused, revenue-generating activities. No more squeezing these critical tasks between client meetings. If you’re not spending at least 20% of your time on intentional growth activities each week, you’re likely facing inconsistent cash flow, unqualified clients, and feeling like you own a job rather than a business.
The Impact of Future-Focused Time
The lack of future-focused time doesn’t just affect your productivity—it also impacts how prospective clients and referral sources perceive you. They can sense the chaos and lack of planning, which may deter them from working with you. With the end of the year fast approaching, and the holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get a handle on your calendar. Taking proactive steps today will help you stay on top of your current commitments while making room for growth in 2022.
Master Time Management and Build Your Future
It’s time to block out space on your calendar, not just for you but for your entire team. Work together to develop a time management plan that works and put safeguards in place every 90 days. Need help getting started? We’ve already recorded the conversation you need to have with your team! Order our “Time and Money” webinar download for just $29.
Explore our free resources at fire.h50.us/~hrgnmpwr/dev2/ for more insights and tips.
