Time Management

“You will never find time for anything,” said JP. “If you want time you must make it.” JP taught classes in time management.

I said, “I am definitely going to take a class in time management, just as soon as I can work it into my schedule.”

“Never leave until tomorrow that which you can do today,” said JP.

“Time flies,” I said.

“But you’re the pilot,” he said.

I eventually took one of JP’s classes in time management. I made detailed lists and schedules. I became a student of time management.

I discovered a problem with time management, a problem that stops even the best time managers in their tracks like kryptonite stops superman.

My discovery began when my client Roger called. “Hey, I have a lead for you. Get over here.”

Rodger was not on my schedule that day, and I had laid out a busy one. But Rodger was an A-plus client, an advocate, a never-ending source of clients and business. Even the best time managers agree that when an A-plus client calls, you make time for them first.

“Come on in,” said Rodger, “My neighbor Jack is gonna sell his place. He’s there right now waiting for us. Sound good?” It sounded great.

“Let’s get going,” said Rodger, “Time’s a-wasting!” We hopped in his truck.

“Just one thing before we head over there. I gotta return Jack’s rider mower I borrowed last spring.” We pulled up to the barn. “Shoot, I forgot I stacked this plywood in front of the door. Give me hand?” We re-stacked his 18 sheets of plywood on the side of the barn. Rodger backed the truck in, and we laid a couple of 2×8’s as a ramp to drive the rider mower in to the truck bed.

“Dagnabbit! Where’s the frickin’ key to this thing? Aw heck, we can probably push it. Give me a hand?”

The mower was a heavy beast, and proved unwilling to be manhandled up the ramp.

“Cripes,” said Rodger, “I’ll go back to the house and find the frickin’ key.”

An hour later Rodger was turning the key in the ignition to the rider mower. “”Son of a goat! Out of gas!

I’ll get the gas can from the garage.”

A half-hour later Roger gassed up the mower.

When we arrived at Jack’s place, there was note on the door, “Be back in an hour.”

“An hour ain’t bad,” said Roger. “Let’s unload this mower and go back to my house for a beer.”

That’s when I understood my discovery: the kryptonite for time management is people. To manage time, you must manage people. Good luck with that.