What is the best use of your time, right now?
Are you asking the most important question about how to use your time in the present moment?
In the 1990’s, I conducted courses and groups at the University of Manitoba on overcoming procrastination. I used a variety of approaches to help people overcome procrastination, including time management.
This was before the age of Getting Things Done and was when the most popular time management book was How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life by Alan Lakein. This book is a classic, selling over 3 million copies. I highly recommend this short yet powerful book.
During the 8 session course I always showed a training film based on How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life. One of the key principles voiced during the film was to ask yourself a number of times each day: “What is the best use of my time, right now?”
A group of 12 procrastinators were watching the training film. Just after the principle appeared one of the participants packed up his material and left the room. I chased after him and asked what was up. I loved his reply.
I was watching the video and the principle of what is the best use of your time right now came up. Suddenly I realized that I was using the procrastination course to actually procrastinate on studying for an exam. Please don’t take offence but I am off to study right now — that is the best use of my time!
Some course leaders may have been offended but I was thrilled at the instant and authentic application of the principle.
So I ask you:
What is the best use of your time, right now?
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POSTED IN: management, productivity, tips and tricks
11 opinions for What is the best use of your time, right now?
Steve Roesler
Aug 23, 2007 at 6:09 am
Wonderful post, David,
I discover that the more I ask myself this question throughout the day, the more I end up working on the right things. When I don’t ask it, I can become very busy and accomplish a lot of things that don’t really contribute to the greater good (whatever that happens to be).
So now I’ll get back to reading some ChangeThis samples :-)
Truthteller
Aug 23, 2007 at 9:55 am
not even close David, nothing is a better use of your time than…thinking! Something that so few people know how to do (they think they do).
Amazingly, we don’t even teach kids in school the best way to think.
Here is a short article that explains, what I’m talking about…
http://www.reddeerblog.com/2007/08/thinking-is-fun-and-easy.html
davidzinger
Aug 23, 2007 at 10:02 am
Steve: All the best with “right” actions and the greater good.
Truthteller: All the best with “right” thinking
Now I just have to think about taking some action!
design submit
Aug 23, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Not reading this or any other blog, that’s for sure! I really should just disconnect from the internet when I need to work.
Manny
Aug 23, 2007 at 4:34 pm
While I m a big fan of the “Getting Things Done” methodology, I ALWAYS prioritize in my planner. You absolutely have to get the “A” items done first, or you’re just kidding yourself. Also, on my blog I am beginning to get into concepts such as Affinity Charts and Decision Trees. Great tools for decision-making.
davidzinger
Aug 23, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I know, as most of us do, how easy it is to get lost in the surf of information to be thrown upon the beach of work and realize you haven’t got a thing done for the past 3 hours.
All the best with the best use of your time, RIGHT NOW.
SEO ROI Consulting
Aug 23, 2007 at 5:18 pm
And I’m off to work on a proposal for a client!!
Phil Gerbyshak
Aug 23, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Right now, the best use of my time is to disconnect from the Internet and reconnect with my wife.
Back soon! :)
davidzinger
Aug 24, 2007 at 11:09 am
This could be a Twitter action. Using Twitter to write about and determine the best use of your time RIGHT NOW. And RIGHT NOW, I am packing to go to the beach for a week.
Cassandra "D.I.V.A. of Dialog" Lee
Aug 25, 2007 at 8:03 am
What is the best use of my time right now?
Posting this comment…I love your blog!
Thanks for reminding us to make certain we ask ourselves each day what’s the best use of our time so that we can take action and do it!
Author, The Young Woman’s Guide for Personal Success
davidzinger
Aug 29, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Within each moment the best use of our time can change and this question really keeps me present. Thank you all for you comments on this post.
David