The Time Management Myths That Can Cost You

I have come to appreciate and enjoy being on podcasts. As of this writing, so far this year I have had over 30 appearances, scheduled for another 17, and am being considered for another 5.  I value the time and effort a host goes through to create and produce a show.

Podcasts have become a great medium to raise awareness for my book, The Time-Optimized Life. At the same time, I have learned to also focus on what I must do to assist the host to bring value to their audience. In the course fulfilling these goals, I have found there are a variety of time management myths people hold onto that seem to come up again and again as I am interviewed. Let’s look at some and dispel and bust some of those time myths (yes, if you are like me, you might be thinking of the long running television show, MythBusters).

You Can’t Multitask

A frequent question I get asked during an appearance is, “Dave, what are your thoughts on multitasking?” My response always starts with, “We can’t do it.” In fact, I feel it is a waste of time to even try. Our brains are not wired to do more than one intensive task at a time.

Sure, we can walk and chew gum at the same time. Yes, we drive a vehicle and listen to music (or even a podcast where I am a guest). However, when it comes to activities that require our brain to focus and not go off memory or repetition, we need to stop and give it 100% of our focus before we move on. Multitasking keeps you jumping from one thing to the other, making you spend more time overall.  

Working More Hours is Not More Productive

The Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns is an economic principle that predicts once an optimal level of capacity is reached, adding an additional factor of production will result in smaller increases in output. What applies in business also applies to you in business and in personal life.

Everyone of us has an optimal productivity zone. I am a morning person; I know others who like to work in the evening. Find your own zone, and where possible, do the most intensive or focused work during that time. The more you do difficult tasks outside that area, the more time it will take you to get it done, while your productivity continues to dwindle.

Busy Does Not Equal Productivity

Yes, I push people and say often on podcasts that you should plan your calendar 2 weeks out and fill every hour. However, I also emphasize that there needs to be flex time built into the schedule. Nothing goes as planned. Important activities always seem to take longer.

In addition, peace and rest are also productive. Your body, mind, and spirit deserve some downtime to recharge and reset. You do not get any style points in life for always being busy but not feeling like you are getting anything done. Plan out life and let it be less busy and more productive.

Tech Will Not Solve All Your Problems

I love tech. I love the benefits of tech. I think back to when I first started out in my career in sales. I did not have a computer or cell phone. It was mail, personal visits, pay phone calls (when I was on the road), and fax machines. Fast forward to our digital world with all the benefits. What happened? Technology just makes us more productive. We were given the ability to take on more things to complete in the same or less time.

Technology is a tool, not a solution. I know people who are very productive using a paper calendar/planner. I know people who are very inefficient having the latest devices or apps. Take what you have now and make the most of it. Invest the time to understand the benefits before you decide to spend resources on the next “tech shiny object.”

Bust Those Myths

Sure, there are plenty of other myths out there.

• I waste too many hours in meetings.
• Managing your time eliminates all stress.
• Saying “no” makes you look inflexible, rude, and not a team player.
• Successful people don’t take breaks.

In these and the ones we already covered, the premise tends to come from a place where we react to situations and circumstances. However, when we choose to flip that and become intentionally proactive, those myths get busted. Challenge the areas in your life where you tend to make time excuses. Approach them with a practical and positive mindset, taking the initiative to remove those myths and replace them with time realities.

David Buck is the author of the book The Time-Optimized Life, owner of Kairos Management Solutions, LLC, and founder of the Infinity Lifestyle Design program. David helps individuals, teams and businesses “in-career” create more time flexibility in their lives. In addition, assists individuals and couples craft a “post-career” lifestyle strategy to meaning and purpose. To learn more, contact him at dave@kmstime.com or visit Infinity Lifestyle Design.