How to Make Time for Good Strategy
How many times have you thought to yourself, “I really wish we could ____________, but we’re so busy, we’re barely getting everything done as is -- there’s just no time.”
You’re not alone. So many of us are looking for more time to think, to get things done, to spend with our loved ones, or to pursue a passion or hobby.
Time is often cited as our most valuable resource and commodity, but we don’t always treat it the same way we do other things we value highly.
If you’ve ever worked with a financial planner or an accountant for your organization, you know it takes time and focus to set your financial goals, get your arms around your accounts, make a plan with clear priorities, and follow through with smart choices about how you’ll save, spend, and invest.
Our time deserves the same level of attention and intention.
Good strategy requires that we make time and space to review data and insights, design and explore solutions, consider options carefully, and make good choices.
So, how do we make time in our full-to-the-brim days? Here are a few practical tips for creating more time in your week to do good strategy work.
Save Time – Take 5 minutes to look through your calendar for this week. Are there meetings you can combine into one meeting, or that you can delegate to a team member? Meetings that can be turned into emails? Meetings or work that are interesting, but not essential? Total up the time for all these potential “saves” and ask yourself “is this the best use of ___ hours of my time this week?” If the answer is no, then spend another few minutes cancelling or moving meetings, delegating, and doing what’s needed to free up blocks of time in your schedule.
Spend Time – How do you want to spend your time this week? Think about your overarching goals or priorities and then imagine what your week would look like if your time was spent on thought, work, or conversations that really advanced those priorities. Take another look at the calendar and see if you can identify any more meetings or work blocks that can be freed up because they don’t align with your priorities. Move them accordingly.
Invest Time – Congratulations! Now that you’ve freed up some time in your week, you’re ready to invest it wisely in thought, work, and activities that will give you the returns you’re looking for. And like any good investor, you’re not going to put it all in one place. You may choose to spend some of this invested time on strategic projects you’ve already identified as essential – that’s great. But don’t forget that you need “unproductive time,” too. Research shows that boredom is good for our brains, and that being “disengaged from doing” can boost our creativity, renew our energy, and bring new ideas forward.
Good strategy can be developed quickly, but it requires time spent on the right things. By practicing freeing up your time each week, you are being intentional with one of your most valuable resources – and keeping your time and attention on the things that matter most to you.
I’d love to hear from you – how do you make time for your most important work?