Time is our only limited resource.
I’ve had a few jobs where we were consistently pressed for time.
At a national command, even during 24 hours per day, 7 day a week ops we could not get everything done we needed to get done, and that’s after we cut out all the BS.
In another job, while working on the personal staff of a 4-star, I saw time get quickly flushed away as everyone wanted to meet the boss and there were a few things that only he could do.
I often hear PAOs say they don’t have enough time. It’s true, no one has enough time, we could always use more. After you do the necessary prioritizing (here’s how and how), look at your schedule and seek out the gaps. The 20-minute gaps will kill you.
This infamous gap will render you and your team useless.
20 minutes is not enough time to work out. 20 minutes is not enough time to write a MaxDis post. 20 minutes is not enough time to give someone your undivided attention on a new topic. 20 minutes suck.
20 minutes suck unless you have a list of 20-minute things. Inevitably, you’ll have gaps in your schedule of 10, 15 and 20 minutes. Be ready. You don’t want to waste time, do you?
20-minute things are items that you can start and stop in a short time (not necessarily finish, but at least stop). They don’t take a mindset shift, you can quickly pick them up and get to work. They’re usually nagging. They’re usually satisfying. They’re specific, “check email” is not specific because it’s a bear and ya never know what’s in your inbox; besides what good is ‘checking’ email if you’re not actioning anything? ‘Read’ is another poorly chosen 20-minute thing; be more specific – read what? How much?
Here’s my list of 20-minute things for today:
- Email Chris back
- Read the rest of this article
- Think about how I am going to start point 3 on my research paper
- Stretch my left hammy
- Check my priorities
- Sketch out a list of MaxDis ideas
- Sign that letter of recommendation if I have access to a printer
Take control of your schedule and life. There’s no use in complaining there’s not enough time, cause no one listening will be able to give you more.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Lindsey Kibler
