NATURE'S WAY

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

Lao Tzu, 6th century BC Chinese philosopher.

Not so people.

We hurry to catch up when we've allowed ourselves to fall behind.

Nature's way, the better way.

TICK TOCK

"In all our deeds, the proper value and respect for time determines success or failure."

Malcolm X, 20th century American Muslim minister/activist

This quote could have come from anyone regardless of when or where they were born, their gender, occupation, religion or political views.

We all have some unknown amount of time on earth.

Respect and use wisely whatever that is for you.

THE AGREED UPON TIME

"Better three hours too soon than a minute too late."

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) British poet/playwright.

While not being on time is occasionally a good thing, such as when you arrive late and miss a flight that later crashes, that's about it.

You won't get ahead if you don't plan to and actually do get there on time.

WHAT TIME DO YOU HAVE?

"Ordinary people think merely of spending time. Great people think of using it."

Unknown

I'm not entirely comfortable thinking of some people as being "great", others "ordinary", however I understand the sentiment.

We are well advised to more use rather than spend the time we have.

THE BEST YOU CAN BE . . . ON TIME!

"Tomorrow do thy worst, I have lived today."

John Dryden

17th century British poet, dramatist and critic

Substitute "done all I could" for "lived" and this is the essence of time management.

How Much Time Do We Have Left?

"Nothing is to be rated higher than the value of the day."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Late 18th/early 19th century German poet/author

And still we often wish the day would end.

We can't include time on our balance sheets even though it is the one asset which often has most to do with our success or failure.

Now, Before It's Too Late!

"Time is the soul of business."

English proverb

Not money or any other resource you can name.

Act, now!

The Day Ahead

"The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day."

Henry Ward Beecher

19th century American politician

Because, if you use it for such, it will set the course for all the hours that will follow.

It's product . . .  the day's agenda.

Maybe Tomorrow

"Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task."

William James

19th century American philosopher/psychologist

Nor as inefficient in the use of resources.

Have you ever considered how much of your company's time and money is wasted by not completing important tasks as soon as possible?

The Clock Ticks Even In Eternity

"Forever is a long bargain."

German proverb

And for most things, an impossibility.

Do you account for for longevity in your business decisions?

You should.

If Only I Had The Time . . . You Do!

"Time is the only critic without ambition."

John Steinbeck

American author

You can complain about not having enough time but in the end, how much you do versus what you say you will do is completely up to you.

Time Enough

"Time stays long enough for those who use it."

Leonardo da Vinci

Thinking back over my career, I believe "I didn't have enough time" was the number one reason my direct reports gave me when they hadn't completed something when expected.

Sometimes they were stating fact and they didn't have enough time; however, I doubt that was true in less than 1 out of 5 cases.

The other times?  They simply didn't manage themselves well enough (and yes that applies to me as well.)

How about you?

The Time To Act!

"There is only one time that is important--Now!  It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power."

Leo Tolstoy

Three Questions

The wave you see pictured crashing on the rocks, had no power yesterday, and will have none tomorrow.

When should you act?

Not much choice or question is there?

Not As Much Time As You Think

"Short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time."

Victor Hugo
19th century French poet/novelist
  

What would you do differently today if you knew you had two fewer hours to work than you believe you do?

Do You Have the Right Time?

"Last week is the time you should have bought or sold, depending on what you didn't do."

Anonymous

It does feel as though we often end up on the wrong end of timing, doesn't it?

Or is it that our expectations are too often wrong?

Punctuality: Is Time Money?

"Punctuality is the politeness of kings."

Louis XVIII of France

I am one of those who would rather be 15 minutes early than 1 minute late, no matter the occasion.

But not everyone feels that way.

What do you think? How important is it to be on time and whatever you think, is it the same when (if) you keep someone waiting as when they do you?