{"id":217,"date":"2014-05-03T11:22:58","date_gmt":"2014-05-03T16:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/teamprojectmayhem.com\/blog\/?p=217"},"modified":"2015-05-11T13:22:29","modified_gmt":"2015-05-11T18:22:29","slug":"priority-management-system-more-than-managing-your-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/teamprojectmayhem.com\/blog\/priority-management-system-more-than-managing-your-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Priority Management System – More Than Managing Your Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

I looked up at the clock and 45 minutes had already gone by, those minutes certainly were not in line with the priority management system<\/a><\/span><\/strong> I had put in place for myself.<\/p>\n

Like so many other people, I had donated 45 minutes of my time to a Facebook news feed that was blowing up with a controversial story in my industry. \u00a0 That is almost excusable, since it pertained to my work (sort of), but I can think of countless other times in the past when it has been crazy videos, funny memes or something that in the grand scheme of things was not going to change my life.<\/p>\n

Now don't get me wrong. \u00a0There is certainly a time to let down your hair and play. \u00a0Unfortunately too many entrepreneurs never get around to getting the important stuff done, because so much of their time is wasted on places like Facebook. \u00a0Statistics show us they are not alone…<\/p>\n

“<\/strong><\/em>There\u2019s no need for a definition of Facebook. All there\u2019s left to say is that there were 728 million Daily active users in September 2013 and 1.19 billion Monthly active users as of September 30, 2013. “<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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One of my mentors, Chuc Barnes of minutescount.com<\/a>, made this observation in a recent conference I was attending.<\/p>\n

Sneaky thieves are anything with a screen!- Chuc Barnes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We've become a society that is bombarded with information 24 hours a day 7 days a week. \u00a0 No longer do you have to be sitting in front of your television or computer to become distracted. \u00a0 Technology like tablets and smart phones have allowed us to take our distractions on the road with us. \u00a0 This constant barrage leads to a severe lack of focus and reduced productivity.<\/p>\n

Today's entrepreneur finds themselves working longer hours, yet they struggle to make headway on the tasks that will keep their business profitable. \u00a0 A sighing “I need more hours in my day” is often their weary war cry. \u00a0 In all reality what is truly needed is not more hours in the day, but a strategic plan that maximizes productivity and efficiency.<\/p>\n

The Importance of a Priority Management System<\/h2>\n

Time is the most valuable resource any man or woman is given.<\/p>\n

There are 86,400 seconds in a day… But this means nothing to you if you don't know how to use it. Make it count!<\/span>
– \u00a0Joel Brown<\/a> \u00a0addicted2success.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When money is spent it can always be earned again; however, when a second, minute or hour is spent it is gone forever. \u00a0Those moments can never be recaptured, making them the most valuable resource you have been given stewardship over. \u00a0 When your time is invested wisely it pays substantial dividends. \u00a0By the same token, when that time is squandered it can never be reclaimed.<\/p>\n

Highly successful entrepreneurs value their time. \u00a0They understand the importance of making each moment count.<\/p>\n

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.”<\/strong><\/em> – Carl Sandburg<\/strong> taken from goodreads.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Creating a priority management system<\/em> is built around the\u00a0greater objectives of the vision for your business. \u00a0If you are not perfectly clear on your desired outcome, you will continually struggle with managing your priorities. \u00a0 The more clarity you have, the more effective your system will be.<\/p>\n

A priority management system allows you to bring the future into the present on a daily basis. \u00a0Your system should be both written and simple. \u00a0As you develop your plan it is critical that you remember that the “how” of the plan is less important than the “what” of the plan. \u00a0 The key to making your system work is the linking of your long term vision to your daily activities. \u00a0 Your plan will define the daily action steps that you will take, pushing you closer to your objectives.<\/p>\n

A Priority Management System Is Not Simply a Day Planner<\/h3>\n

Many people mistakenly believe that merely keeping an appointment calendar or using a day planner is the key to priority management. \u00a0 There are many people who use these tools, but still fill them with activity that is not contributing to the fulfillment of the overall vision and objectives of their business.<\/p>\n

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In making daily plans it is critical to differentiate between:<\/p>\n