The Myth Of Time Management
There is no such thing as time management.
That might seem like a strange statement for someone like me to make, especially since many of my clients and their parents want me to teach them how to improve theirs, but strange is probably not the worst thing that’s ever been said about me.
Here’s the truth: we don’t manage time; we spend it.
Why do I say that?
The word management indicates some control over time and that, done well, time can be stretched, extended, etc. Nothing could be further from the truth. No matter who you are, rich, famous or otherwise, your day consists of 24 hours - no more and no less.
And, managing time is big business! The global productivity apps market size is projected to grow from $9.65 billion in 2024 to $17.78 billion by 2031, expanding at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.00%. North America holds a significant portion of that, with a market size of $3.86 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2024 to 2031. With numbers like that, it’s no surprise that we are constantly bombarded with advertisements for things that promise to make us better managers of our time. They make us believe that somewhere out there is THE THING that will solve all our issues with procrastination, motivation, distraction and getting things done.
Nobody loves a good planner, calendar or productivity app better than me! And I shudder to think how much money I have spent over the years looking for just the perfect one! So, as much as I hate to admit it, they don’t work. Maybe a better way to say that is they are not the only component of the solution.
How do I know they don’t work?
Only 18% of people have a proper time management system in place. — Acuity Training, 2021
The average employee is only productive for 2 hours and 53 minutes per 8-hour workday. — VoucherCloud
People spend an average of 2.5 hours daily on social media, often unintentionally. — Statista, 2023
87% of high school students say managing their time is a big challenge. — YPulse Research
A study found that college students waste up to 30% of their time due to procrastination. — Psychology Today
20% of adults identify themselves as chronic procrastinators. — Association for Psychological Science
Time stress is the #1 reason people cite for feeling burned out at work or school. — Gallup, 2022
We are spending BILLIONS of dollars a year for these tools but the data indicates that we are still struggling in this area!
Here’s my radical thought: Time is not the problem. Having enough time is not the problem. The problem is we believe the myth that we can manage (i.e. control) time. The stress of “managing time” comes from trying to control an area where we have no power or authority. We don’t control the sun, the moon or the rotations of the earth so nothing we do can influence the amount of time we have in a day, week, month, year, or lifetime. AS long as our goal is managing time, we are destined to fail.
But what if we changed our thinking?
What if, instead of managing time, we started “spending” time. You know, like we spend money. Just like you get a paycheck with a specific amount of money, each day you receive a specific amount of time. Then what? Just like you allocate amounts of money to your expenses, maintenance, purchases, etc., you start allocating your time in the same way.
~ How much time does it cost for a full night of sleep? 7 - 9 hours, that leaves a balance of 16 - 18 hours for the rest of the day
~ How much time does it cost for your job? 8 - 9 hours (including travel time), that leaves a balance of 7 - 10 hours for the rest of the day
~ How much time does it cost to bathe, prepare meals, dress, eat, etc.? 1-2 hours, thats leaves a balance of 5 - 8 hours for the rest of the day.
I think you get the idea here.
Isn’t this just a matter of semantics? Aren’t managing and spending the same thing?
I don’t believe they are for these reasons. First, the 24 hours in a day are going to pass, regardless of whether you do anything or not. Changing the focus to choosing what you do and how much time you exchange for it puts you in complete control. That is the type of change that gives you the power to change your outcomes. If you are willing to take responsibility.
The second reason I don’t believe managing and spending are the same thing is accountability. If you are trying to manage something you can’t control, it’s easier to throw up your hands and accept less than desirable outcomes. But, if YOU are the only one in control of the “spending decisions”, you are the only one responsible for the results, good, bad or indifferent. That’s where a different mindset is dangerous! Choosing to change your thoughts demands your declaration of responsibility.
If you’re ready to start changing your approach, a great first step is to conduct a personal time audit. To learn how to do that, click here to watch a short video.
Even though I believe time management is a myth, I know that you don’t have to struggle in that area if you don’t want to. And, I hope some of my thoughts about it are helpful as you move forward.
