Time to Live
Module 1: Where is your time going

Emotional time

Time is an emotion. Although we use the clock and calendar to measure time, does this really describe the essence of time? Ever wondered why time goes quickly when you are absorbed and slowly when you are bored?

When you do too much of what you don’t value, you get stressed, (an emotion) if you don’t do what you think you should you do, you may feel guilty, (a feeling). It’s all about your emotional response to what you are doing.

Reaction management

It’s our minute-by-minute reactions to stuff that happen, based on our emotions that make an impact on our day. Remember the last time you were late for an important meeting, or for work. What state of mind were you in when you arrived?

Understanding your own emotional reactions to ‘what happens’ each day will be your greatest influence in deciding how to manage your time.

You must learn to separate what actually happens from what you make it mean. If you cannot change the ‘what happened’, change your reaction – the ‘what you make it mean’. The physical and emotional quality of your daily life is based entirely on your emotional reactions to what happens.

Attention management

You are now entering a new time zone.

Here, the word ‘should’ does not exist. Everything in this zone is a ‘must’ not a ‘should’. Those who use ‘should’, die of that sad, wasting disease known as ‘I should’ve been’!

There is no more physical time for any of us. People who are successful with time will tell you that you must spend your time focusing on what’s most important at any given moment.

Since what you focus on is simply what you pay attention to, you must become aware of some important distinctions.

You must know the difference between Vital v Urgent.

• The doorbell rings during your weekly family dinner – is it urgent?
• Your boss wants an item now, is that urgent?
• Is faxing over details to client now because that’s what he asked for urgent?

‘Not necessarily’, I hear you say. Yes! It’s all urgent.

Anything that happens right now, in the moment, is urgent. The real skill comes in defining whether it’s important or not and then responding effectively.

Making distinctions

Before every task you undertake this week, ask yourself is it:

• Urgent
• Urgent and Important
• Important
• Not urgent and not important

The more often you ask yourself the question, the clearer you’ll be in your own mind. And once you’re clear in your mind, you can decide what action to take.

Actions of the Week

There is just one action item this week – but it is a vital first step, so please don’t move on until you have completed it.

I want you to keep a time log for at least five consecutive days, so we know exactly where and how you spend your time. Draw up a table using these headings or create your own. Be meticulous in recording everything for at least five days.

For example:

By doing this you will raise your daily awareness of your own emotional reactions; how you make your decisions and the actions you decide to take.

You’ll have the invaluable tools needed for Week 2 when you’ll learn the importance of planning and prioritising.