We have all said, at some point in time, “I just don’t have enough time” or “I need eight days in a week!” Not having enough time to fulfill all your obligations is probably the fastest route to a more stressful life, especially in business.
I have people tell me all the time that they don’t know how I get so much done in such a short period of time. Do you want to know how I’ve mastered time?
Indecision is an enemy of Time.
“I need to think about it.”
“I’ll get to it tomorrow.”
“This is a big decision……”
“I shouldn’t rush into things like this.”
All sound logical and reasonable. Fair point. But here’s the trap—eventually you have to make a decision.
You want to mull over hiring a great prospective employee through the weekend, but you lose them on Monday because they took a job from someone who decided faster. You just lost that contract because you couldn’t decide on the final bid for your quote. You get the idea.
Not deciding is a waste of time. Gather the data and DECIDE!
Any effort you put into a decision is a complete waste of time unless you:
START!
You WILL be afraid at some point and you will hesitate to execute your decision. You MUST conquer fear or you will have NO control over your future circumstances.
Many advocate sitting down and planning out every step before they start anything. They carefully calculate to decide what the obstacles are and how those obstacles will be addressed and NEVER START – they are paralyzed by planning and fear.
Your time is much better spent throwing yourself into it and figuring it out as you go. Just start. It’s impossible to predict what the exact obstacles will be, or solutions for them, until you’re in the middle of it.
The impulse is to be safe and careful. But isn’t that exactly what your competition is doing?
“If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.”
Mario Andretti, 1969 Indianapolis 500 Winner
So just START. Solve the problems as you go along.
I’ve seen many capable executives and business owners work themselves to death. They complain about how they are overworked and have no time. They don’t take vacations because they are so swamped.
I don’t have that problem for one very simple reason:
I delegate!
I’ll bet you’re a lot like me. I feel great when I’ve helped someone! They had a problem and I helped them solve it. That’s why I get out of bed in the morning.
I have great news for you: your best employees feel the same way! They too get out of bed in the morning to help others. So, my question to the overworked executive/business owner is: “Why are you taking away all the pleasure from your employees?”
Why not turn over some of your simpler tasks and let them help you?!
You must always be looking for your replacement.
Look for someone who is passionate about the company, someone you can apprentice for a few years, someone to gradually give more responsibility to and someone you can be patient with. Maybe one of your kids, or an employee who has been with you for a long time.
It’s simple really. Decide, Start and Delegate.
Your next problem will be what to do with all of your free time.
Greg is an internationally recognized entrepreneur, lecturer and mentor that specializes in helping small business owners reach the maximum potential for their business. He’s lectured to, and worked with, business owners in ten countries – across three continents – and built several successful, small businesses himself.
