How You Actually Spend Your Time (And Why It Matters More Than Your Intentions)
Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash
In last week of March, I was mostly resting and recovering from a health issue. When I found out about it, I also realised that some of the “procrastination” I felt earlier wasn’t entirely procrastination…it was my body pushing back against my mind.
On one hand, I wanted to listen to and respect my body. Yet, I also felt stressed that I’m not able to do things (as much or as well as I want to). What added to the frustration wass not having a clear date for when I’ll be back in full swing.
As March came to an end, my mind also spiraled for a bit that a quarter of the year has already passed, and I’m still figuring out my new rhythm.
And then I remembered something a friend shared, which I now want to share with you:
Write down:
7 people you spend the most time with (in real life or in your head)
7 places where you spend most of your time
7 activities you spend most of your time doing
This simple exercise shows you how you are actually choosing to build your life.
Because attention and time are our most valuable currencies, this cuts through intention and belief; and reflects what’s truly happening. And from there, you get to choose if you want to change it.
The beauty of this reflection is that you can do it over different timeframes: a week, a month, or even six months. (For longer periods, it helps to keep some record. Our perception can be misleading.)
For me, the shift came when I looked at my list of activities. While I wasn’t doing everything I wanted for my coaching practice, it wasn’t like I was doing nothing. And since rest was at the top of the list, I also knew I wouldn’t want to change that.
One small change I made: keeping my phone away and my Kindle closer.
When you recognise thatyou are choosing something, it helps shift you from frustration to ownership.
(Also read -Are you being reasonable or truly alive?)
As you go through this reflection, you could also look at it across two areas: professional and personal.
As a leader, am I spending enough time coaching, mentoring, and supporting the people who matter most at work?
Are the most important people in my life truly getting my time and attention?
If I want a better relationship with my parents, am I choosing time with them over an extra meeting or another call or another presentation?
Who are the 7 people I spend most of my time with across work and life?
How much time goes into replying to Slack or WhatsApp versus thinking about strategic work?
If staying connected to friends and family is a priority, how much time do I actually spend with them (in person or on the phone)?
For shorter durations, you don’t need to be overly precise. But if you do this check-in regularly (say every week), you’ll start to notice patterns. You’ll begin to see what your life might look like by the end of the year if nothing changes, or what different seasons of life want you to prioritise. And then take stock once those seasons pass to shift your time accordingly.
So, what might you want to shift in your priorities?
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