15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management
Strategies for optimal time management from various high achievers.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- Time is your most valuable asset
- Work smarter, not harder
- Procrastination is a major enemy
- Leverage your morning for maximum productivity
- Focus on minutes, not hours
- Establish routines and habits
- Master your email and meetings
key point 1 of 7
Time is your most valuable asset
Successful people understand that time is a non-renewable resource, and hence, they treat it as their most valuable asset. Unlike money, resources, or relationships, time is something that cannot be regained once lost. It’s finite, unavoidable and irreversible. As a result, successful individuals meticulously manage their time, prioritizing tasks and activities that contribute to their goals and overall life vision…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 7
Work smarter, not harder
The perspective of working smarter, not harder, is strongly emphasized. This tenet is not about putting in fewer hours or effort into tasks, but rather about maximizing productivity within the time and resources available. This implies using innovative methods to achieve results, focusing on tasks that yield the highest returns, and delegating tasks that can be handled by others. It means that individuals should adapt a strategic approach to work, aiming to achieve more with less…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 7
Procrastination is a major enemy
Procrastination is viewed as a formidable enemy to success, a hindrance that many struggle with. It is not just the act of delaying or postponing tasks, but a self-defeating behavior that can cripple productivity and hamper progress. Procrastination, in essence, is a struggle with self-control and the inability to accurately predict how we will feel tomorrow or the next day. It is about underestimating the time it takes to complete tasks and overestimating our future productivity…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 7
Leverage your morning for maximum productivity
In the discussion about maximizing productivity, the emphasis is placed on the importance of an effective morning routine. The early hours of the day are identified as a crucial period for setting the tone for the rest of the day. It is suggested that successful people wake up early and prioritize their most important tasks in the morning when their energy and focus are at their peak. This period of heightened focus is often referred to as the ‘Golden Hours’…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 7
Focus on minutes, not hours
Successful people have a unique perspective on time management: they focus on minutes, not hours. They understand that every minute is precious and irreplaceable. Rather than viewing their day in large chunks of hours, they break it down into smaller, manageable minutes. This allows them to allocate their time more effectively, ensuring that each minute is used productively and purposefully…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 7
Establish routines and habits
Establishing routines and habits are indispensable elements of time management. Successful people value the stability and predictability that routines and habits offer. They know that a well-structured routine reduces decision fatigue and frees up mental resources for more important or creative tasks, thereby increasing productivity and effectiveness…Read&Listen More
key point 7 of 7
Master your email and meetings
Emails and meetings are crucial parts of professional life, but without proper management, they can consume a significant amount of time and impede productivity. The key to mastering emails is to handle them strategically. Successful individuals tend not to check their emails first thing in the morning. Instead, they focus on their most critical tasks before diving into the unsorted pile of emails. They also limit their email checking frequency, usually to specific times in the day, preventing constant interruptions…Read&Listen More