The best time management tip I have ever learned I am still in the process of learning. Oh, I know it–I just don’t apply it as often as I should.
What is the best time management tip?
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Stop trying to be a “Jack of All Trades, Master Of None”
According to Wikipedia, ” ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’ is a figure of speech used in reference to a person that is competent with many skills, but is not necessarily outstanding in any particular one.”
The phrase “Jack of all trades” was actually at one time considered a positive, but after the “master of none” was added it soon become a negative phrase.
I think the reason why was because in our modern world there are just so many more skills that we could develop. In our current day, we simply cannot become competent in all the areas that affect our lives.
When the phrase was created, there were no computers, there was no electricity, no indoor plumbing, no internet, no coupons, and on and on and on. Nowadays there are simply too many areas in our life to become competent in so we must instead choose those we will become masters of.
Being a master (or expert) in a skill takes time. Time researching, time practicing, time doing.
We are all given the same 24 hours a day seven days a week, not an hour more or an hour less. When we spend our time trying to do everything, we don’t have time to perfect our God-given talents.
Yes, You Have Talents
Yes, you have talents. I know what it feels like to wonder if you are truly talented in anything. I have just one single top-of-the-class reward in my 40 years of life, and it is in…wood working (grade 10). Not exactly a talent I use today.
It took me a long time to get beyond that voice in my head that says, “I am not number one in that so I guess I am not really talented…” Guess what–talent doesn’t mean that you come in first, talent means that it brings you joy, makes you come alive and your love of it makes you want to improve in it. Your zeal for the skill enriches not just you but those around you.
I use to think, “I am not an Olympian, so I really don’t have the talent to run.” True, but I do have the talent to inspire others to try. Talent to teach my children how. Talent to run marathons and use that time to pray and grow closer to God. Talent enough to run with a friend almost every Saturday who keeps me grounded and encourages me to try harder in other areas of life.
What areas of your life make you come alive? Those things are your areas of talent.
Make time for those things and stop trying to be an expert at the rest.
How To Make Time To Develop Your Talents
Now this doesn’t mean that you stop cleaning your house altogether because it doesn’t bring you joy to try out new methods of cleaning. There are some things that we just have to do whether we are talented in them or not.
However, it does mean if that area of your life that brings you passion should cause you to flourish financially, don’t think twice about spending money on a housekeeper so you have more time to develop your talent.
It does mean that you can stop stressing out about not having a home that looks like it jumped out of the pages of Better Homes & Gardens. Instead you can concentrate on how to streamline the housework so that it gets done to a livable standard–and you define that standard, not the super talented housekeeper next door who cleans her ceiling fans once a week.
(And yes, I realize some people LOVE housekeeping so if that is you, switch out the words about housekeeping in the last three paragraphs and put in something you loathe doing)
Set priorities for your time and those areas that bring you passion should get the most time.
When you do that, trust me–the passion will have an oozing effect and soon all those areas you hate to do, but can’t delegate (and please–delegate all you can) start to get done with less effort and more energy. You will come to realize that they don’t have to be done perfectly, they just have to be done good enough so that you can get back to working on your passion(s).
Instead of being a jack of all trades, master of none, become a master of all your talents and delegate and streamline the rest. When you do, you will discover a new passion for life.
Need a bit more help in separating what you are good at from what you are best at? Read The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands
More Time Management Advice To Help You Make Time For Your Passions:
- 31 Time Management Tips For The Work At Home Mom
- How To Set And Crush Goals As A Busy Mom
- 7 Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Life
Want more time each day to work on your passions? Take the Make Over Your Mornings Course and/or the Make Over Your Evenings Course and learn how to start and end your day well so that you can squeeze more out of each day. These courses contain short video-driven lessons and are relatively inexpensive. When I took them, I found 30 minutes each day to work on my goals. That’s 3 1/2 hours a week!Â
Become A Snail Pacer
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Hi Victoria,first I like your name because it’s also our oldest daughter’s middle name. I like your tips and I’m planning to buy Alan Lakein’s book ” How to get control of your time and your life” after not finding at our local library. They say it’s one of the best book written about time management.
Jack of all Trades and a master of none is a good to keep in mind. I just never thought about it before in reference to time management, but you’re right. There’s not enough time in the day to do everything.
MASTER – DELEGATE – STREAMLINE. Great advice, Victoria! (I also have a Victoria in my house :).)
But how do I choose? I love all of the things I do…. so, time to figure it out I guess before I drive myself crazy. Thank you.
Kathi
Boy did I need this today! My time management needs so much improvement! Thank you1
I couldn’t agree more! Lately I feel that I’m living evidence of Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity (doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results) and trying to master of many trades is a huge part of the underlying reason. Thanks for this!
I love this post. THANK YOU for reminding me of the obvious – it’s ok to say no and prioritize to make the most of what you can do with the small time you’ve been given.
“Make time for those things, and stop trying to be an expert at the rest.”
Yes, finally someone to point out to me that I cannot do it all, even though inside and outside influences keep trying to make my heart (and brain) think otherwise!
~Sigh…noted, taking to heart!
I agree that trying to do, and be an expert at everything is ridiculous. Interestingly enough, I’m not a master at anything. I learn what I need to know to get a job done, and then I move on. Except when it comes to writing, where I’ve been focusing the bulk of my efforts lately. You’re right — it’s all about passion and doing what you love.
Thank you 🙂
Many people have called me a Jack of all Trades because I have a lot of work experience in varying fields… This was necessary when raising my kids as a single mom… and it does seem to have a negative connotation but you stated your theory so well that I now understand it isn’t a negative, but an asset 🙂