Why Time Management Isn't Going To Save You (And Where To Start Instead)

Let’s face it, you’re spread thin.

Don’t get me wrong – you’re a powerhouse. You’re so freaking capable, you get things done and get them done really, REALLY well.

But you’re also likely feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and tired of being pulled in so many directions between work and home.

A lack of boundaries is keeping you spread thin and preventing you from being the best leader you can be.

One who has the courage to focus on what’s important – not just what’s urgent. To move your goals forward, say no more and empower your team to step up. To model how you can make well-being and personal time a priority, and still do great work.

Why is a lack of boundaries an issue?

You are likely facing overwhelming pressure every single day.

People are emailing you at all hours, stealing your time and attention. You are continually asked to do more with less. You have a hard time saying "no" because you don't want to let anyone down.

And you simply don’t have enough time for everything!

Your time is valuable and . . . LIMITED. There is only so much of you to go around.

But here’s the truth bomb… are you ready? Having too little time isn’t the real problem you need to solve.

You don’t have a time management problem. You have a mindset problem.

The real problem lies there because deep down you might believe that if you just work harder, if you just did “one” more thing, if you just keep pushing forward, you will finally get caught up and THEN be happy and have time for what really matters.

Deep down you might believe that you are selfish or you're not being a team player if you were to make your own time a priority.

Deep down you might believe that it’s impossible to keep boundaries and still be successful.

And these beliefs keep you in the same old patterns.

A mindset doesn’t change your situation. But an optimistic mindset changes YOU and how you view and respond to your situation, which leads to different outcomes.

So, the place to start creating meaningful change is by shifting your beliefs and perspective, getting clear on what’s important to you, and setting stronger boundaries to protect those things.

(Yes, you need to do this before you get your workload under control).

Boundaries force you to be clear on what’s important and let go of what isn’t. They give you space to think and protect your time and energy.

You take away the option of doing it all or being everything for everyone, and start to make better decisions on where to focus your energy and efforts.

And until you take on a more empowered mindset and get clear on why a boundary is important enough to you to be worth sticking to it . . . no amount of time management will fix things.

So, take some time to get your mindset in order and figure out what is important to you.

What are your personal values? Who do you want to be as a leader? Where do you contribute the highest value at work? What do you want time and space for in your life? What leaves you feeling good? What are positive beliefs about yourself and your success?

Now, what is threatening those things that really matter?

THIS is where you need stronger boundaries. THIS is what's at stake for you if you don't protect what matters. THIS is what it will take to be the best leader you can be.

So that you can live and lead with your values, focus on where you contribute the highest value at work (and feel okay to say no to what isn't a good use of your time), and have space for what you want in your life.

So you can start feeling good more often and stop feeling spread so thin.

So you can be the confident, balanced leader you want to be.

Does this sound like the path you’re craving? Then click here to book a call. I would love to talk with you about how to make this a reality for you.

You can keep boundaries, feel less stressed and still be a powerhouse. All you have to do is say yes to taking the next step.

I'm here cheering you on whatever step you take!

What Next?

You can sign up for Stacey's masterclass, The Confident "No" here.

Stacey L. Olson is a Leadership and Certified Positive Psychology Coach, has 15 years of corporate experience and has gone through her own transformational change from burning out to balanced in life while performing at a high level (both in her corporate career and own business). She works with professionals who want to work less, live more and be their best even with all the demands, high expectations and messiness of everyday life. Stacey is the founder of The Balanced Leader™ program and offers executive and leadership coaching, workshops, and speaking.