The following contains excerpts from the podcast/audiobook, Using or Abusing Time (John Maxwell).
At our music school in Midland, Texas we believe that music is more than sound, it is relationships. Relationships factor into the subject of Leadership in a big way, and the first rule of leading others well is learning to lead yourself well. Time management is a key ingredient to doing so.
John Maxwell takes a different approach to ‘time management’ than most other thinkers on the subject and shows that it is not ‘time’ that we manage, but rather our priorities. He states that when our priorities are lined up correctly, that we will ultimately have used time correctly. He gives several points on how people use time correctly, as well as abuse time:
Correct time use:
- People that use time correctly, do things that advance their overall purpose in life, and this helps them grow. In finding one’s over-riding purpose in life, ask two questions: 1) “What have you achieved?” (this speaks of your competence) and 2) “What do you care deeply about?” (that’s your passion).
We encourage students at our music school in Midland, Texas to love what they do. When they are passionate about making music, they will achieve great things.
- People that use time correctly, do things that underscore their values, and this brings them fulfillment. “Once you know what you value, you will make better use of your time.”
- People that use time correctly, do things that maximize their strengths, and this makes them effective. “Almost every man wastes part of his life by attempting to display qualities that he does not possess.”
Perhaps one of the most important things we, as teachers at our music school in Midland, Texas, can do for our students is help them identify their unique strengths. At that point, we can help them develop those strengths through core conditioning.
- People who use their time correctly do things that increase their happiness, which gives them health. “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get.”
- People that use time correctly, do things that equip others, and this compounds their productivity. “Behind every able man, there are always other able men.” How to select the right people: 1) Assessment (what is needed) 2) Assets on hand 3) Ability of the candidate 4) Attitude (are they willing?) 5) Accomplishments (who gets things done?).
- People that use time correctly, do things to add value to others, and this increases their influence. “How can you be successful? Every day add value to others.” In order to add value to others, ask the questions: 1) “What do I have?” 2) “What do people need?” 3) “Can I give what they need?” 4) “Will I give what they need?” 5) “How often will I give what they need?”
At our music school in Midland, Texas we love adding value to our students, knowing that what we are giving them goes well beyond simply studying music, as they are learning many life-lessons through their development.
Incorrect time use:
- People who abuse time do things that other people want them to do, this diminishes their uniqueness. “Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You, and you alone, will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you do not let other people spend it for you.”
- People who abuse time do things that are not important, this keeps them from being effective. They don’t prioritize their life correctly. [Formula: Rate the task in its importance (1-5, 5 being most important), Decide how urgent is the task (1-5, 5 being most urgent), Multiply the task’s importance with its urgency. ‘A’ category = 16-25, ‘B’ category = 9-15, ‘C’= 1-8]
At our music school in Midland, Texas we love helping students use their time most effectively by showing them how to structure their priorities of practice time and routines that are most effective in their development.
- People who abuse time do things that can be done better by others, this makes them average. “Nothing is changed by mediocre performance.” Questions to ask about your competition: 1) “Is someone else doing what I’m doing?” 2) “Are they doing it well?” 3) “Are they doing it better than me?” 4) Can I become better than them?” 5) “If I become better, what is the result?” 6) “If I don’t become better, what is the result?”
- People who abuse time do things without good coaching or training, and this reduces their potential. “The only thing worse than training good employees and losing them, is not training them and keeping them.” Study: “A company increased their spending by 10% for training their employees and it led to an 8.5% increase in their productivity, while another company had a 10% increase in capital expenditure, leading only to a 3.8% increase in productivity.”
In essence, by giving students at our music school in Midland, Texas good training, we ultimately are saving them time, as they learn what is productive in their approach to learning and growth.
- People who abuse time do things without thinking, and this causes wasted time and energy. “The major difference between achieving people and average people is how they think.” How to think better and more often: 1) Find a place to think your thoughts. 2) Find a place to shape your thoughts. 3) Find a place to stretch your thoughts (bouncing ideas off others) 4) Find a place to fly your thoughts. “The bigger the idea, the longer the run-way it takes to launch it.” 5) Find a place to land your thoughts. Find a place to bring them home to add value to people.
- People who abuse time do things with the wrong motives, and this increases conflict with self and with others. “One of the most time-consuming things to have is an enemy.” “People with right motives every day are preparing, while people with wrong motives are always repairing.
Preparing creates efficiency, while repairing wastes time.
Preparing creates confidence, while repairing breeds discouragement.
Preparing saves money, while repairing increases cost.
Preparing pays now for tomorrow, while repairing pays now for yesterday.
Preparing takes you to a higher level, while repairing becomes an obstacle for growth.
“People who abuse time will not run out of excuses, but they will run out of time.”