Your time is your most valuable asset. If you’re spending your days watching TV or procrastinating, you’re underestimating its worth. When we look at successful figures like Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk, one thing is clear — they all have the same 24 hours in a day as you. The difference? How they manage their time.
In this article, I’m going to share my personal time management system that has helped me optimize every hour of my day. This method is designed to keep you focused on your goals and take action in the right direction.
1. The One Question That Changed Everything
If there’s one thing that has fundamentally shifted the way I manage my time, it’s this question:
If you spent the next 30 years doing exactly what you’re doing today, would you be proud of where you end up?
Would you have accomplished something extraordinary? Would you be a person you’re proud of?
This thought experiment is uncomfortable, but it’s a powerful motivator. When I first answered this question honestly, I realized that without change, I wouldn’t have achieved anything meaningful. I’d be stuck in a cycle of wasted time and wasted life.
Now, I ask myself this question every night, and it drives me to make every day count. I challenge you to do the same — after a while, it will push you toward a life you’ll be proud of.
2. Why You Need to Be Conscious of Your Time
You need to treat time like money. The person who manages their time better is the one who will get more done, and as a result, achieve more success. Time, unlike money, is finite. Once it’s gone, you can’t get it back, so it’s essential to make every minute count.
Start viewing time management as your strategy for success — the more you manage your time effectively, the more you will accomplish.
3. My Time Management System
Here’s a quick breakdown of my time management system:
- Yearly Objectives (YOs) — These are my big goals in three key areas: business, health, and personal life.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) — These are the measurable targets for each YO.
- Monthly and Weekly Objectives (MOs/WOs) — These break down my KPIs into actionable tasks for the month and week.
- Critical Success Factors (CSFs) — These are the daily habits (DOs) that contribute to achieving my MOs and, ultimately, my YOs.
For example, my goal to become more educated in business and finance breaks down like this:
- YO: Become educated in business and finance.
- KPI: Read 10 books in a year.
- MO: Read 2.5 books per month.
- WO: Read at least 2 hours per day.
By breaking down large goals into manageable daily actions, you ensure consistent progress towards your bigger vision.
3.1. What Do You Really Want Out of Life?
This is the most important question you can ask yourself, and the answer will determine the course of your life. Don’t rush through it. Take the time to think about what you truly want to achieve in the next 1, 3, 5, and 10 years.
Bill Gates once said, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” You need to set long-term goals and continuously adjust them as your vision evolves.
3.2. Developing Your Goals
Start with your 1-year goals. Imagine yourself 1 year from now — what have you achieved? Write down your aspirations for the year, then ask yourself, How will I make these happen?
Do the same for your 3, 5, and 10-year goals. Dream big and set your sights on what you want to accomplish in the long term. Write it down. The act of writing down your goals is powerful — it’s the first step in transforming them into reality.
3.3. Break Down Your Goals into Actionable Steps
Once you have your goals in place, it’s time to break them down into measurable objectives:
- Daily Objectives (DOs): Small, actionable tasks you can accomplish every day.
- Weekly Objectives (WOs): Larger goals to work towards each week.
- Monthly Objectives (MOs): Bigger milestones you’ll reach as you progress.
For instance, reading 10 books a year is a specific goal. But to make it actionable, I break it down into smaller chunks, like reading 2 hours every day. Similarly, for a larger goal like launching a business, I track progress regularly, adjusting the approach as needed.
3.4. Tracking and Logging Your Time
This is the most crucial aspect of my system. You must track how you spend your time, just like tracking your financial spending. Without tracking, you won’t know what’s working and what isn’t. My daily time log takes just 5 minutes but gives me invaluable insights.
How to Log Your Time:
- Step 1: Every evening, jot down a list of tasks you want to accomplish the next day (DOs).
- Step 2: On Sundays, write out your objectives for the entire week (WOs).
- Step 3: At the end of each month, plan your objectives for the following month (MOs).
This method creates structure and accountability, ensuring you're always moving toward your goals.
Conclusion
Time management is a skill you can develop — and the rewards are substantial. Key takeaways to remember:
- Always assess if an activity is truly advancing your goals.
- Delegate tasks when possible to free up time for what matters most.
- Regularly remind yourself of your long-term vision through auto-suggestion.
By following this system, you’ll be amazed at how much you can achieve. Don’t wait for the perfect moment — start today and use your time wisely.
Kieran Audsley
Founderli CEO, Founder
