First, time management is an oxymoron since no one can manage a constant that being time. There will always be just 60 seconds to a minute, 60 minutes to an hour and 24 hours to a day. Now that we understand that time management is more about us and less about time, we can begin to separate the symptom from the problem.

Next, the question needs to be asked "Why do we want to or need to manage time?" By looking to this answer helps us to truly understand how people continue to label time management as a problem.

The reason we need to manage our time is because we have a desired end result or a goal that needs to be achieved. Without results or goals, there would be no need to manage or even care about time. Ideally, we could live each day moment to moment, not worrying about the passage of time. Unfortunately, today's world demands that we make the most of each minute.

So now that we know the real problem, the next question is How can we refocus our behaviors and become better goal achievers? Solving this problem begins by identifying the beliefs that support as well as hinder consistent goal achievement.

These beliefs range may include some of the following:

• I work well under pressure. (Note: This belief is otherwise called procrastination.)
• I can mentally remember everything and don't need a written list or plan.
• I can multi-task with the best of them.
• I don't have time to learn something new.

After belief identification has been accomplished, you may need to begin to change those beliefs that drive counter-productive attitudes demonstrated by our behaviors about the real problem -- goal planning and goal achievement.

Then take some time to assess your life to truly learn where you are so that you can achieve balance and build the future that you desire. Using a simple life wheel to taking a formalized assessment can assist you. Now, it is time to construct an action plan that is supported by written individual goals. Once these goals are formalized and put into action, not only do you become a better manager of yourself and therefore time, decision making is now much more proactive instead of reactive.

Finally, all goals from making daily appointments to building sales should be written down and monitored on a consistent basis. To do this requires blocking a specific amount of time each day for planning the next day's actions.

After all the years of executive coaching my small business, entrepreneurs or school clients, I am truly amazed at the number of people who continue to focus on time management as a problem and not a symptom of poor goal planning and goal achievement. Success or sustainable change can be yours if you infuse a consistent goal achievement process into your daily beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. And your current time management issues will become a thing of the past.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation