The world doesn't need another time management system. It needs a shift in the thinking. 5 thoughts to inspire a different view, reduce the overwhelm, and leave us feeling good, getting things done.

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+44 (0) 7976 751 095 dan@danbeverly.com http://danbeverly.com
Beyond Time Management: 5
Thinking Secrets to Getting More Done 15 September 2016
The world doesn't need another time management system. It needs a shift in the thinking. 5 thoughts
to inspire a different view, reduce the overwhelm, and leave us feeling good, getting things done.
The world doesn’t need another
time management system.
Yes, we want to get more of our top priorities done, in less
of the time, with less of the stress. And we want to do it in
this world of cognitive overload.
But is that “Time Management”? Or: “Me Management”?
Honestly, I move around on the debate of whether we can
or cannot manage time. But I prefer to sidestep that
discussion altogether and go straight for what I KNOW I
can manage: My energy and flow. My focus and
attention. My thinking and perspective.
So let’s start with this: I don’t need another time
management system. I need a shift in perspective to get to
what’s beneath my time management approach.
Here are 5 thoughts to inspire a different view, reduce the
overwhelm, and leave you feeling good whilst getting
things done.
Is my thinking
in this moment?
How much of your thinking is spent on the past, versus
thinking about the future, versus thinking about the
present?
Notice where you’re directing your thinking. Be honest
with yourself. And then consider what that’s doing for
your productivity. Is enough of your attention on the
present?
Thinking about the future includes goals and solutions and
the vision. All empowering themes. But too much time
spent thinking about the future can lead to overwhelm.
Everything I still need to do. How little time is left in
which to do it.
Thinking about the past might include celebration of key
achievements and learning from previous challenges.
Useful thinking. But dwelling on the past can lead to
anxiety and worry. It went wrong before. And here are
all the times it similarly went wrong.
First things first. Keep your thinking in this present
moment.

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+44 (0) 7976 751 095 dan@danbeverly.com http://danbeverly.com
Do I have a focus problem?
Here’s the picture: you’re at work, suitcase packed for this
afternoon’s flight to Geneva and the big board meeting
tomorrow. At lunchtime, you’re on your way out the door
to catch your taxi to the airport. And a colleague stops
you in the corridor: “can I just grab 5 minutes of your
time?” And of course you say: No.
You’re 1000% (yes, one thousand) percent focused on the
task at hand. Your objective.
So here’s the question for all those other times when
distractions and “drift” take us off-course: do I have a time
management problem? Or a focus and priority problem?
Get 1000% committed to your current objective.
Now? Or not now?
One powerful way to keep time management simple but
effective is to ask the question: now, or not now?
Two choices.
Now. In which case: do it. Do all of it. And get it done.
Not now. In which case: trash it. Or schedule it.
A “not now” task needs to go on the calendar. Make time
for it. And then you can let that task go and free-up your
mind for the only task that matters – the task at hand.
Keep it simple. Ask: “now, or not now?” And then get it
in the calendar.
Where’s the pleasure?
Where’s the pain?
We don’t procrastinate because we’re lazy. We
procrastinate because we associate pain with doing the
task, and pleasure with avoiding it.
Of course, that’s short-term thinking at work. Because the
real pain comes from the incomplete task. The niggling
thought that it’s still outstanding and waiting to be done.
And that recurring thought is blocking other thinking –
and other tasks!
So the plan is this: redistribute. Associate with the pain of
avoiding the task. And connect with the pleasure by
thinking how good it’ll feel to get it done!
Notice that your Energy comes from doing the task, not
avoiding it.
Where’s my energy?
We can’t create more time. But we can look after our
energy.
When I’m energised, my focus and attention is right
where I need it to be. My creativity and artistry come to
the fore. And no task is ever boring or without benefit.
So: Get enough sleep. Hydrate. Eat well. Exercise. Have a
morning routine. Know your flow times. Schedule
“unthinking” breaks. Be mindful. Meditate. Get outside.
Connect with people.
Let time do its thing. Make your focus: the energy you
bring.

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+44 (0) 7976 751 095 dan@danbeverly.com http://danbeverly.com
Shifting the thinking on
time management
I started this article saying we don’t need another time
management system. And we don’t. we’ve got plenty of
tools and tips for that side of things already. And we’ve
all got our favourite systems in place already. (If you
think you don’t, take a closer look. There’s a system there
somewhere!)
So what are we saying if we have (what-we’ll-call-for-
now) a “time management problem”?
We’re saying look for what’s beneath the “time
management problem”. Look at your purpose. Your
objective. Your pleasure/pain distribution. Your energy.
Your thinking. Your focus. And you’ll find the shift in
thinking that will get those other time management
systems working beautifully for you.
Dan Beverly is a leadership and performance coach helping ambitious, high-
achieving professional women land their perfect career.
His mission is to inspire possibility in others for a career that leaves us feeling
fulfilled in our work, confident in ourselves and balanced in our life.
Go online to book your “Session Zero” with Dan – and start capitalising on
your pivotal career moments today.
http://danbeverly.com/session-zero