Time management is a myth. We can’t manage time—it moves forward regardless of what we do. What we can manage, however, is how we prioritise our actions.

The key to a productive and fulfilling week is ensuring our time is spent delivering value, not just completing tasks. So how do we do that? Follow this four-step process and see the difference it makes.

Step 1: Understand Where Your Time Goes
Before making any changes, take a week to track how you actually spend your time. Conduct a simple time audit—log your activities and assess whether they contribute value or are just keeping you busy. You may be surprised by the gap between time attended and time spent delivering real value. (If you need a template, let me know!)

Step 2: The Enjoyment vs Skill Matrix
Once you have a clear view of your time usage, categorise each task using an Enjoyment vs. Skill Matrix. Give every task a number and plot them on a simple grid:

• Bottom left: Low enjoyment, low skill requirement (often reactive and unplanned).
• Top right: High enjoyment, high skill (your sweet spot!).

This visual approach makes it easier to see which activities drain your energy and which truly contribute to your success. (Again, I can provide a template for this!)

Step 3: Calculate Value per Hour
Next, evaluate the impact of each of your ‘top right’ tasks over the next three years. For example:

• Implementing a system that saves two hours every time you recruit—quantify that saving.
• Calling past customers and generating additional business—what’s that worth?

This exercise clarifies where your time is best spent and what activities truly drive long-term
success.

Step 4: Delegate, Dump, or Defer
Now it’s time to take action. Low-value tasks (bottom left of your matrix) should either be:

• Delegated to someone else,
• Dumped altogether, or
• Deferred until absolutely necessary.

In my experience, this step alone can free up a third of your week. The question is: what will you do with this opportunity?

You could:

• Focus on high-value activities that move your business forward.
• Spend more time thinking, planning, and strategising.
• Work on delivering your KPIs more effectively.
• Simply enjoy more personal time—whether that’s at home, on the golf course, or pursuing hobbies.

This process works. The only thing standing between you and better time prioritisation is taking that first step.

Go on, give it a go—what have you got to lose?

If you would like to discuss any facet of time management, Business coach Laurence Duncan, founder of Exec Direction, who kindly wrote this piece for our blog, is always happy to have a chat.