I enable organizations to simplify so they can focus on valuable work. As founder and CEO of FutureThink in NYC, I’ve helped orgs like Google and Novartis kill complexity so they can better drive change. When I’m not delivering keynotes, I’m writing books on simplification and change (Kill the Company and Why Simple Wins).
In recent years, I’ve witnessed the state of being busy wrongly elevated to a badge of honor. Adhering to a calendar or to-do list is not equal to driving change or executing a strategy. With onlyreporting that their time is spent on “meaningful” work, the true deficit in our companies isn't money or human resources — it's time.is wasted. Time is a precious, nonrenewable resource and leaders must start taking an intentional approach to how and where they spend it.
What does your daily calendar reveal about you? Do you drill down on minutiae or invest in work that truly matters? From procrastination and distraction to perfectionism, the barriers to effective time management are myriad. But by confronting these barriers, we can reclaim our day . Start with five key tactics from myDraw a T-chart on a sheet of paper. On the left side, list all the tasks are a productive use of your time and title it “Valuable Work.
An over-scheduled calendar isn’t a badge of honor — it’s a barrier to meaningful work. Unlocking the power of intention begins by reclaiming our time and investing it in work that truly matters. By consciously shifting your focus from being, you’ll start establishing boundaries around your time and shift your workday from a place of chaos to a place of clarity.