Recently, I found myself seething as I waited 34 minutes past a scheduled meeting time in a company’s reception area. The delay wasn’t just annoying—it solidified my decision not to pursue further engagement with this organisation. When we finally began, it was revealed that our wait was because of a pre-meeting about what to be discussed in our meeting. Although this twist shifted the power dynamics in my favour, the inefficiency left a lasting bad taste: my time had been disrespected because of someone else’s poor planning.
People forget that time is a non-renewable resource. Once a moment passes, it cannot be reclaimed, which fundamentally distinguishes it from money. And the reality is also that our time is limited. Thus, wasting time is more detrimental than wasting money.
It's important to be considerate of other people's time because it shows mutual respect and helps to foster positive relationships. However, it's also important to remember that everyone has unique priorities and is entitled to their own time. If you're struggling with feeling like some people don't value your time, it may be helpful to practice setting boundaries and saying 'no' to commitments that don't align with your own needs or values. It's also important to remember that everyone has the right to make their own choices and priorities, so it's not personal if others seem to prioritize their own time differently than you do.
Let's try a simple exercise: jot down the five most important things in your life. Reflect on how much time you spend working towards these goals compared to how much time you spend on less meaningful activities. This exercise can also be illuminating in a corporate setting during budget reviews, often exposing discrepancies between stated priorities and actual spending—both in terms of money and time.
The Importance of the Pause Button
The work environment often rewards busyness rather than productivity. Many of us fall into the trap of chaotic work patterns. Without a focused approach, we find ourselves consumed by stress and inefficiency. A classic example is a business executive who fills his schedule with back-to-back meetings, mistaking this for productivity. However, upon adopting a more deliberate strategy-scheduling time to think and plan-he noticed a significant boost in both his output and satisfaction.
Similarly, a senior manager of a multi-national bank, known for her relentless work ethic, decided to 'hit pause' and spend a weekend away from all digital devices. This short break allowed her to reflect and prioritise her tasks better. Upon returning, she could delegate non-essential tasks and focus on what truly mattered, leading to improved results and less personal exhaustion.
Dangerous Distractions
The direction of our efforts is just as important as the speed. Simple distractions, like an unimportant email or an untimely phone call, may seem harmless but can cumulatively waste hours. More significant distractions, such as staying in a toxic job or relationship, can waste years. An illustrative tale involves a marketing professional of an FMCG company who spent considerable time and energy climbing the corporate ladder at a company that did not value him. After years of frustration, he switched to a firm that appreciated his skills, and he quickly advanced. This shift not only saved him time in the long run but also drastically improved his job satisfaction and personal well-being.
Life Is Long If You Know How To Use It
Echoing history, the Roman philosopher Seneca once remarked, “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested... So it is: We are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it… Life is long if you know how to use it.”
Adopting this philosophy, it becomes clear that identifying and eliminating distractions is vital. By concentrating our energy on our true purposes, we not only achieve more, but also enhance the quality of our lives.
In conclusion, time management should be approached with the same rigour and protection as financial management. Recognising and reducing time waste is essential not only for professional success but also for living a fulfilling and meaningful life.
