Time Changes What’s Important

“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” — Stephen R. Covey

One of the main reasons To Do lists, backlogs, and lists of all the things you need to get done rots over time is because time changes what’s important.

That’s a good thing.

Because time changes what’s important, it’s a do a reset and a re-think on what your next best thing to do is.  Before you just grab things from your lists or from your backlog, ask yourself a few questions:

1. Is this still relevant?
2. Is this still important?
3. Is this my next best thing to do?

This is a quick way to step back and take a look from the balcony.  By asking if this is still relevant or still important, you can let things slough off and free yourself up for doing stuff that matters.  Letting stuff slough off makes space for the great stuff.

By asking if this is your next best thing to do you’re asking a question about windows of opportunity.   It’s true that a stitch in time saves nine, and you really can miss the boat for some things.  By paying attention to your windows of opportunity, you can get time on your side.

Photo by yunir.