Is Time The Enemy of Your Success?
Everyone wants to be successful in life and in their career but all too often people let time get in the way. We all say things like, “I’m biding my time,” or “There’s not enough time in the day,” or “I’m waiting for the right time.” You are essentially taking your dreams and aspirations and telling them, “Maybe I’ll work towards you tomorrow.”
So, how can you avoid the never-ending rat-race that everyone else is stuck in?
Set Goals
Goals! Yes, we all know we need to set goals but the reality is: most people don’t. If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time. Sounds boring, right? Take a few minutes to think “What do I want to achieve this year?” or “Where do I want my life to be in 5 years?” Once you know what you want to do or who you want to be, don’t lose sight of that and don’t stop moving towards it.
Gandhi said: “Action expresses priorities.”
A plain and simple concept that what we do tells ourselves and others around us what’s important to us. If you reflect on your actions, what do they say about you? Do you play too many video games? Do you spend too much time browsing social media? Do you spend all your money (plus extra debt) on consumer products? Or are you taking college courses at night? Are you developing a skill into a viable business or product? Are you investing some of your money for your future?
There is no better time to start than today! You’ll never be closer to achieving your goal than by starting today, but you have to use today to act and move towards that goal! Think about it! Read about it! Work on it! Don’t let anything distract you from it! Focus on your goal!
Create Timelines
Timelines! It’s curious how sometimes we say we don’t have enough time yet we all have the same time we’re dealing with. Some people just use their time more wisely than others. It’s how we use that time that will determine our success. Setting aside the proper time is one key to finding success.
William Penn said: “Time is what we want most but what we use worst.”
Sometimes we perform our best under pressure. When we need to hit a timeline, we dig deep and find the extra effort to get the job done, we get a paper turned in minutes before it’s due, or we show up for work right at 8. But the problem is we don’t set enough timelines for ourselves. The only timelines we take seriously are the ones others set for us.
It’s easy to say, “I’ll go back to school next year,” or “I’ll start saving for retirement once I’m making more money,” or even setting very vague goals like “I want to lose some weight.” If you can’t measure it, you can’t move it. Set timelines and specifics you want accomplished by that deadline.
Find an Accountability Partner
Accountability! If you, or someone you know, doesn’t hold you accountable, you are dramatically reducing your odds of success. This process should be fun and should encourage you to reach your goal. Find an accountability partner and share your goal and timeline with them and ask them to hold you accountable.
For Example:
Goal: Lose weight (Specifically: 5lbs)
Timeline: 5-weeks
Accountability: Give your accountability partner $50 to hold. If you are successful in hitting your goal, you get to reward yourself using that money to buy something (shirt or pants) for the new you. But… If you are unsuccessful, your partner gets to use that money to buy themselves something fun.
There is a risk/reward tied to your goal, your timeline is enforced by your accountability partner. A good accountability partner might even join the fun with you and you hold each other accountable in a similar fashion. But the key is really having someone you trust to hold you accountable and to have an incentive, good or bad, tied to your results.
Don’t let time be the enemy of your success. Use your time wisely. Maximize your day. Focus on what’s important and don’t let worthless activities distract you.
Set some serious goals!
Set some aggressive timelines!
Hold yourself accountable!
Use TIME to your advantage and go create your own success!
Jarum Stone
COO
Your Employment Solutions
