The Power of Outstanding Time Management

It has been a great experience to work with the staff of Damex again in Gibraltar. This time I delivered a new Masterclass I have been working on featuring what I believe to be the best time management system in the world.
 
One of the biggest causes of stress is poor time management so being able to improve this area makes a huge difference to the stress levels and overall wellbeing we experience. This Masterclass dovetails beautifully with my first 3 Masterclasses and I was delighted when the CEO of Damex Sam Buxton told me that he felt this was the best session so far.
 
 
Randy Haefner
 
I have really enjoyed my trips to Gibraltar to work with the team and to also spend time with the man who introduced me to Damex, my old friend Randy Haefner. We go back to 1979 when we first met in the Northeast where we both played professionally for the Sunderland Basketball Club.
 
Randy is a 6’6” American who was a great player and we won the Playoffs together in 1981. This was the highlight of my career, and I retired following this victory at the age of 27 due to a back injury. This was a huge blow as the best years for any sports person are from 27 to 30.
 
 
I never fulfilled my basketball potential
 
Something which really hurt me was the fact that I didn’t have the opportunity to fulfil my basketball potential, and this haunted me for a while. But I decided to push forward and recover from this devastating news, so I took on the role of commercial manager for Sunderland basketball club.
 
I didn’t know it then, but I was living by my quote which summarises how to recover quickly from setbacks:
 
It’s not what happens to you in life which counts, it’s how you respond which makes all the difference.” John Dabrowski
 
I was targeted to raise money for the club and due to some good fortune, I tripled the money coming into the club over the next 3 years. During this time, I was also responsible for the promotion of the team including match days, events, and PR.
 
 
He agreed to jump!
 
One event which sticks out is a promotion to raise funds for a local children’s hospice and it involved Randy. I persuaded him (I’m still not sure how) to ride a push bike off a ramp dropping 30 feet into the River Wear.
 
He agreed to this and so I organised joiners to build a large ramp on the side of the riverbank at its highest point which helped launch him into the air and then crash head-first into the river. This wasn’t the plan but it’s what happened. I had a rope attached to the bike but not to Randy as I thought he would simply swim back.
 
But we didn’t factor in the strong river current on that day and when he surfaced stunned by the drop, he was dragged downstream disappearing into the distance. Luckily, I had organised a speedboat to be present just in case and they saved him from literally entering the North Sea.
 
He showed me the press cuttings from this event this week and it brought back some wonderful memories of our crazy time together. I’ll share the Octopus story another time!
 
 
Great time management
 
Good time management has numerous benefits for individuals and organizations. Here are some key advantages:

• Increased productivity: Effective time management enables individuals to prioritize tasks, allocate appropriate time for each activity, and focus on important goals. By utilizing time efficiently, productivity is enhanced, allowing individuals to accomplish more in less time.

• Better time allocation: Good time management helps individuals allocate time for various activities based on their importance and urgency. It allows for setting clear goals, planning ahead, and ensuring that sufficient time is dedicated to each task or project.

• Reduced stress: Properly managing time reduces stress levels. By organizing and planning tasks, individuals can avoid last-minute rushes and feeling overwhelmed. Having a structured schedule provides a sense of control, reduces anxiety, and improves overall well-being.

• Improved decision-making: Effective time management allows individuals to allocate time for critical thinking and decision-making. It provides the opportunity to thoroughly analyse options, gather information, and make well-informed choices, resulting in better decision-making outcomes.

• Enhanced efficiency: When time is managed well, individuals can streamline their workflow, eliminate unnecessary activities, and optimize processes. This leads to improved efficiency, as time is not wasted on unproductive tasks or distractions.

• Increased motivation and focus: Good time management fosters motivation and focus by providing a clear roadmap for achieving goals. Breaking tasks into manageable chunks and allocating specific time slots helps individuals stay focused on the task at hand and maintain momentum.

• Improved work-life balance: Effective time management allows individuals to strike a balance between work, personal life, and leisure activities. By prioritizing and allocating time for personal pursuits, relaxation, and spending quality time with loved ones, individuals can achieve a healthier work-life balance.

• Opportunities for growth and learning: With good time management, individuals can allocate time for continuous learning, skill development, and pursuing new opportunities. This allows for personal and professional growth, expanding knowledge and expertise in various areas.

• Enhanced reliability and professionalism: When individuals consistently manage their time effectively, they become more reliable and dependable. Meeting deadlines, being punctual, and delivering work on time enhance professionalism and builds trust with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.

• Increased self-discipline: Effective time management requires discipline and self-control. By practising good time management habits, individuals develop self-discipline, which can positively impact various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and personal growth.

 
Overall, good time management leads to increased productivity, reduced stress, better decision-making, improved efficiency, and a healthier work-life balance. It supports personal and professional growth while fostering discipline and motivation.
 
 
It works so try it
 
You can see how important good time management is. I discovered these principles of time management a few years ago and I applied them to my life, and I have seen a dramatic improvement in my productivity and a huge reduction in my stress levels.
 
 
Thoughts for the week 

1. How is your time management?
2. Do you plan your day before you dive into action?
3. This week make sure you spend a few minutes before you start your day looking at the important things you need to do and write them on a very short list.
4. Then start the most important thing and focus fully on that until complete then move to the next. 

 
Well, that’s it for this week, have a wonderful weekend and keep believing.
 
Warm regards

John

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