Time Management Tip: Protect Your Focus
There are 1,440 minutes in your day. Each one is a precious, non-renewable resource. How you spend them determines your progress, your impact, and ultimately your success. So, why let others dictate your time?
The solution? Put your most important tasks (MITs) on your calendar as “busy”—just like a meeting or appointment. This calendar-based planning isn’t just another to-do list. It’s a commitment. Unlike to-do lists, which often grow endlessly, calendar blocking forces you to prioritize and carve out dedicated time for what truly matters.
To take control of your time:
Identify your MIT: What’s the one task that will move you closer to your long-term goals? Work on it first each day.
Schedule your time: Block uninterrupted focus periods on your calendar for your MIT and other high-priority tasks.
Eliminate distractions: Turn off notifications and use Do Not Disturb on your devices. Protect this time fiercely.
If you’re not sure how to start, spend a day tracking how you use your time. Break it down into 15-minute intervals. This exercise can be eye-opening—revealing just how much of your time is taken up by distractions or tasks that don’t align with your goals.
By shifting from a reactive mindset (responding to others’ demands) to a proactive one (owning your time), you’ll not only accomplish more but also feel more in control of your day.
Time is your most valuable resource—plan it intentionally, use it wisely, and protect it fiercely.
