TL;DR 9: How to Manage Your Time (138 words)

Accept that you cannot do everything. The skill is choosing what to leave undone. Time management is not about getting stuff done; it is about getting the correct stuff done. The former can be efficient, but the latter is effective. Email and apps can seduce in the wrong direction.

Many people prioritise by default: the easy task, or the task for whoever shouts loudest, or simply whatever is next on the list. None of these is a plan.

I love my iPhone. I appreciate my AI assistant. But it’s my personal judgement that direct my day as I prioritise by pay-off. Which task, done well, will make the biggest difference? At work, the answer comes from your goals. At home, it comes from your personal compass.

First action: Tonight, write tomorrow’s list on paper, mark the highest pay-off task and do it before you open email.

TL;DR 8 How to Be a Leader (131 words)

Before you can lead others, you need to lead yourself: your time, your mood, your standards.

Model, do not tell. If you want people to be on time, be on time. If you want honesty about mistakes, admit yours first, and do it publicly. Your team watches what you do far more closely than they listen to what you say.

You have to be before you can do, and you have to do before you can have.

Leadership is situational. A new starter needs direction: here is the task, here is how. An experienced but wobbly colleague needs coaching. A capable, confident person needs support and then needs you to get out of the way. Use one style for everyone and you will either smother the expert or abandon the beginner.

Leadership is not a job title: it’s a state of being.

First action: For each person you lead, write down whether they need direction, coaching or support from you this week.

TL;DR 7 How to Set Your Personal Compass for the Life You Seek (128 words)

Once a month (payday is a good choice), sit down with pencil and paper and review the six points of your compass.

  1. Career. Am I offering value? Am I growing? How am I preparing for an uncertain future?
  2. Wellness. Am I using and respecting my body and my mind?
  3. Relationships. Whom have I neglected? Who needs a call this week?
  4. Finance. Did I spend according to plan? Is my net worth moving the right way?
  5. Fun. When did I last do something purely because I love it?
  6. Contribution. How am I giving back?

Pick a few points that are off course and set actions for the coming month.

On my Personal Excellence course, this was always the topic that caused the greatest shifts.

First action: Review your personal compass this week.