Every leader I talk to tells me they are busy. Heck, it isn’t just leaders, it seems to be everyone.
Too much to do, too little time, or so we think (and therefore say).
While most lament about finding time for important projects and bigger tasks, when they look at the calendar, large blocks of time aren’t there. While there are many things you can do to make larger blocks of time, my point today is about the small little chunks of time.
Five minutes.
We all have five minutes show up in our day. We have five minutes between meetings or phone calls. We all have five minutes standing in a line, or waiting for our lunch. sometimes we know we will have that five minutes. Sometimes it just shows up.
Most of us don’t choose to intentionally use those five minutes. We check our email, idly surf the web or our phones. We tweet or do a Facebook update. Or we sit and wait. So those five minutes passed and we are no closer to our goals than we were before – and those five minutes are just as gone. And at the end of the day we will wonder, where the day went.
Our days are made up of all of those five minute choices.
Choose to use those five minutes.
Everyone one of us is different, with different goals, values and priorities. Given that there is no way I can presume to give you a definitive list of ways to use your five minutes.
However, as a leader I know there are many important things we don’t do often enough. So let me give you a starter list of suggestions, and a challenge.
- Do some coaching. Give some positive feedback – a call, an email, or face to face.
- Refocus your efforts. Review your goals (which means they must be written and with you)
- Learn something. Read an uplifting or educational book or blog post (you have access to them on your phones, Kindles, etc.)
- Make progress on a goal. Make a phone call or send an email to further a project (not just a reply to what is in the inbox, but something that will proactively move you towards a goal)
- Capitialize on your experiences. Reflect on your day so far – ask yourself what you have learned and what you need to adjust.
What would you put on your list?
Everything on this short list is about important things, not urgent things. When we are rushing, we need to make sure we are doing the important stuff – and even if it is in these five minute bursts. Even on our busiest days we can make that progress when we choose to.
The other thing about my suggestions is that they probably weren’t the things you would immediately think about, or aren’t the things that most other people would do or suggest. That’s ok. Do you just want the results of most other people?
Here then is my challenge. Decide now how you are going to invest your five minutes segments today. Be intentional. Choose.
And please, share your thoughts and ideas here, so we can all benefit from your wisdom and choices.
Kevin – great suggestions!!
When I find myself with 5 minutes, I use that time to intentionally build relationships. I’ll stop at someone’s work station and ask if they have any questions I could answer, let them know I noticed a recent accomplishment, or I may see a new photo and touch base on how their family is doing.
The Vice President of Finance at Quad Graphics (John Fowler) mentioned one of the reasons his company is successful and reatins good managers is: “Our managers are expected to adjust their schedules to get the work done and are equally expected to adjust their work schedule to live their lives, take care of what’s important to them outside of the job. Do we have the competition trying to pick off ur management team? Oh yeah, I think anyone could probably double their salary at a competitve company. But it doesn’t happen. Our managers don’t leave.”
This sort of prioritization is important for building a leader at any level and building loyalty from your team. The 5 minutes I may spend talking to someone about their beagle, or their toddler, their new boat, or their retirement dream home is time well spent. People want you to care about what matters to them, and if you care about what matters to them, they’ll care about bumping your company or organization to the next level. 5 minutes a few times a day can reduce employee turnover, increase productivity, and make you feel great all the way around (as a manager and as a person).
although…on a lighter note…at least once a day I use that 5 minutes to get a cup of coffee, because let’s face it, we all have priorities!
~Crystal
Great points Crystal – thanks for sharing!
Kevin 🙂
I like your thinking here Kevin. 5 minutes can make a big difference. My suggestion for a 5 min. chunk would be to “breathe”…spend 5 min. with eyes closed, focusing on taking deep belly breaths, and counting the breaths to yourself as you do them – IN one OUT one/IN two Out two etc. Voila! Instant mind emptying – which will leave you refreshed and way more effective with your next activity when your 5 min. is up!
Kevin,
I like this focus to be intentional about HOW we are going to use little 5 minute chunks of time, in a different way than normal. I just got a new iphone, and it’s amazing how everything can be at my fingertips (from my audio Bible, to my notes and contacts, to all of my online work and writing); your thought about reviewing goals and being proactive in forward movement is good advice!
Thanks for being such an encourager and motivator.
(You’re remarkable!)
Blessings to you!
Ann
Thanks Ann. Part of me didn’t want to make technology related to any ofmy suggestions… and yet … smartphones, used intentionally, can really help us in these moments too.
Kevin 🙂
Excellent points!
Most of my successful days encompass everything you’ve mentioned: reviewing goals, visions; doing little tasks that can at least initiate action or progress; reviewing my performance or someone else’s…again great post!
Cheers!
Stephen
Your comments tell me Stephen that you are likely a very productive and intentional person.
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin 🙂
@Crystal, I like the connecting with people approach. I have made a conscious effort since the beginning of the year to stop walking around looking at my e-mail when I am moving from point to point (BlackBerry problem) as I thought it made me more efficient while in transit. The old habit looked efficient electronically, but had me disengaged to those around me! Being stuck on my phone meant the little mood lifters I was able to give people by just engaging them genuinely for a few minutes were starting to get less and less. Kevin, you are 100% right, we are so busy doing, we are actually forgetting how to make every second count.
Well said my friend!
Kevin 🙂
When I find myself caught between things, I really utilize what you called “Make progress on a goal.” I make it a point to sit down and send off that email/phone call I’ve been putting off. It’s amazing how quickly I can finish it when I know I only have five minutes. Fantastic article!
Five minutes is longer than you think if you are intentional and focused in using it.
Kevin 🙂
Had five free minutes got on twitter read your article and retweeted it. Sure a lot can be done but wise sometime not to do –
Thanks for this, Kevin.
In the fantastic chaos that is my life, I find myself strategically scheduling tasks so that I’m able to do more in less time. My mantra is, afterall, “live life to the fullest!” My colleagues often wonder aloud about how I manage to do it all and still have time to build my capacity and that of others I mentor. That all said, and despite my wonderful successes, it seems my focus has been increasingly on just getting it all done and missing out on the joys in getting there. Sad, really.
What resonated with me the most was “Everything on this short list is about important things, not urgent things.” So, in my 5mins, I endeavour to focus on giving my undivided attention to others: listen without distraction, respond with purpose, and model with conviction.
I think I’ll start now with my kids.
Fabulous comment Daphne – thanks. You have lucky kids.
Kevin 🙂