Written by: Alice Dartnell, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
What if I told you that it's not just about how much time you take on a task, but it is also about the time you can get back from that task?
As entrepreneurs, leaders and business owners, we're often on a constant quest to maximise our time, squeezing every minute out of every day. We are also often so busy and have so much to do, it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day.
If you have ever said “I don’t have time for…”, then this is the article for you because I want to show you how to get more time in your day and how you too can ‘beat the clock’.
Welcome to the new world of "ROT". Your very own “Return on Time”.
The misconception of time management: Not all tasks are created equal
When we think of time management and how to maximise our time, we usually use methods that we hope are going to make us faster and more efficient. We become masters of multitasking (which FYI is a myth and doesn’t work but that’s a whole other topic), cramming our schedules to the brim, and aiming to check off as many tasks as humanly possible in 24 hours.
But here's the catch - this approach is not productive and often leads to the disappointing feeling of being "time poor."
We feel like we are always up against the clock. We rush around and sacrifice the things we know are good for us long-term (like exercise, sleep, spiritual wellbeing, resting etc.) in a bid to gain a few more hours in the day.
Sound familiar? If you're nodding your head in agreement then you're not alone. Many of us have fallen into the trap of valuing time solely for how much we can cram into it and making the mistake of looking at tasks and measuring how long they take. I know because as a Life Coach specialising in time management, energy management and productivity, I see people make this mistake all the time.
But not all tasks are created equal. Whilst some only take our time, others actually give us more time.
The power of “return on time” – Give time to get time
I was inspired by the economic principle of Return on Investment (ROI). This is a similar concept but here it’s about investing your time which is why I like to call it “Return on Time”. (I know, catchy titles aren’t my thing, luckily my skills as a coach in time management are better!).
Fact. Whatever you do, it is going to take time. Even sitting on the sofa staring into space is going to use up your precious minutes! But there are some tasks that will actually give you time back – these tasks are a positive return of investment in time.
Fact. If you invest time in some activities they will give you a “Return of Time”. This means investing in activities like exercise, getting quality sleep, moments of relaxation, meditating, making nutritious meals, planning your week, getting organised and even personal growth pursuits. These are not time-sinks; they're time multipliers.
Maximising and multiplying your time
It's about recognising and identifying that the time you give to some tasks will buy you back more time later. Afterall. it's not about how much time you have; it's about how you use it.
For example, take planning. As Brian Tracy who said “every minute you spend in planning saves 10 minutes in execution”. Or the fact that if you exercise for just 20 minutes, your productivity and focus increases for the couple of hours that follow, meaning you can be more productive and at a higher standard in less time afterwards.
Top ROT activities people neglect
Now that you understand the idea of ROT, watch out for these pitfalls - these are the most common ROT activities that people neglect so don’t make these mistakes!
One: Good quality sleep
Sleep is the underrated cornerstone of effective time management and a huge ROT! Studies have found that poor sleep compromises memory, alertness, decision making and problem solving – all of which play an integral role in achieving optimal time management. As Kamini Wood explains in her Brainz article The Importance Of Sleep And Ways To Improve It, ‘If you constantly lack sleep, you may find it difficult to think clearly, concentrate, remember things, solve problems, and make decisions. Sleep deprivation can also compromise your mood and emotional control.’
Two: Taking breaks
If you’re looking to increase productivity to get more done, you might think the solution is staying chained to your desk all day and keep powering through your tasks.
But taking breaks is key! Researchers from the University of Illinois tested this theory by assigning memory tasks to a control and test group. The only difference being the latter received 2 brief breaks during the process. And guess what happened? The result showed that while there was a significant drop in performance over time in the control group, the test group showed no such decline, maintaining a constant level of focus and productivity.
So you’ll actually get more done, with better results, by taking a break, because without any downtime to refresh and recharge, we’re less efficient and make more mistakes.
Three: Prioritise self-care
You have to remember that YOU are your biggest asset, especially when it concerns your time management and how you invest your time! Making time for self-care activities that fuel your physical and mental wellbeing is a big Return of Investment (ROT). Whether it's a morning workout, meditation to clear the mind, making a nutritious breakfast at home. These investments will lead to increased energy and focus throughout the day so make time to invest in your ROTs.
Make the ROT shift
Our relationship with time can often feel like a race against the clock and we’re not the ones in control. By embracing the concept of Return on Time (ROT), you'll shift from a time-poor mindset to one of being intentional and using time to create more time and achieve better results.
When you understand the concept of ROT, you'll no longer be stuck in the endless loop of merely seeing time as something to be managed or something you are fighting against. Instead, you'll see it as a resource to be invested wisely, reaping rewards in the form of increased productivity, improved health, and enhanced wellbeing.
Start now by investing in activities that bring you long-term benefits and bring you more time.
Alice Dartnell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Alice Dartnell is a time management and energy management coach, trainer, speaker, and author, who is passionate about empowering people to create a life by design, not by default! Known as an expert in time management and energy management, Alice doesn’t teach time management in the traditional sense. Instead, she focuses on the importance of energy management and mindset as the way to improve time management. Alice believes that time management actually isn’t about managing time! Instead, it is about managing you, other people, your tasks and most importantly, your energy! She works with individuals on a 121 basis, as well as through programmes, workshops, and courses. Additionally, she delivers training to org
