Me First

Step 3Analyse

In step 3 of The 5 SMART Steps you will categorise your time into one of four different time categories, and then you will cost your time habits. And when it comes to your costs, trust me, it won’t be pretty.

Alice

I don’t actually think I am that bad when it comes to managing my time. I know I have my bad days, but on the whole I am a successful woman — I get stuff done. Just look at my typical day — I couldn’t jam another thing in!

Oh yeah, right, that’s not actually a good thing here. That’s like proving I am the best at being stupidly busy.

I guess I have always been the go-to girl: ‘Give it to Alice because it will get done’ is what they say. That’s just how I rock, and I guess I like it. But that’s no longer the right answer. In fact, that’s half the problem.

I do wonder . . . my dream day looks blissful. Maybe I will print it out and keep it close. Is it achievable?

Break it down, Baby

Each task you perform every day falls into one of the following four time categories:

1. Must — these are tasks that you, and only you, can do. For example:
   • eat
   • sleep
   • attend that important client meeting
   • one-on-one with your boss.
2. Want — these are tasks you love to do when you have the time. For example:
   • exercise
   • read
   • garden
   • meditate
   • family time.
3. Delegate — these are tasks that can be done by someone else. On the home front there are two forms of delegation: outsourcing and insourcing.

   Outsourcing is where you identify all the tasks you perform that you are prepared to ...