Time management issues are so common.
But you might not be aware of the underlying reasons for your time challenges.
Have you tried tons of different things to help, but haven’t had any success, or you’ve had some success but it doesn’t last?
You Might Be Putting Surface Solutions on Deeper Time Management Issues
It’s like anything else in life. Like losing weight, for example.You can try all the diets you want or eat well and exercise, but if you have a sabotaging belief or if you eat for emotional reasons, you won’t have success, or your success won’t last.
Same with time management.
So, What Are These Mystery Causes of Time Management Issues?
1. You don’t know your why – - why you’re building your business. Or you’ve lost sight of it. Or it’s not powerful enough. I’ve written about how your why relates to time management here.
2. You don’t know your purpose. This is your “calling.” Your gift. The thing you’re here to share with the world. Your reason for being here.
3. You don’t have a clear vision for where you’re going that keeps you on track. Check out my post all about your vision here.
4. You don’t have effective, written goals that move you toward your vision. Learn how to write great goals here.
5. You have low self-esteem. This is HUGE for entrepreneurs, especially women. It might seem unrelated, but it’s foundational. M. Scott Peck wrote: “Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” Food for thought. Self worth has been my greatest life lesson . . . and it’s my greatest purpose . . . and now I want to help others 
. I started a series on this and you can read the first post here.
6. You have a related fear and you’re sabotaging yourself. For example, are you afraid of actually putting yourself and/or your products out there? If so, maybe you’re wasting your time on other things. Or, you might say yes to too much stuff. If your plate is too full, you experience overwhelm, feel like there’s no time and get nothing done. Often, this is due to what Marie Forleo calls “FOMO” (Fear Of Missing Out). It’s OK to say no and not be part of everything!
7. Your systems, strategies and methods aren’t aligned well with your personality. We’re all unique and certain personality types do well with the typical “anal” time management systems and other personality types go CRAZY with them! You have to find what fits for you.
So, what underlying reasons might be contributing to your time management issues? Let me know by leaving a comment.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Leanne this is an awesome post! The self esteem thing for me was huge too – and it’s an ongoing self care/maintenance thing that I have to remind myself to pay attention to! I find that I never end up the same place, and even if I am just taking turtle steps toward valuing myself more, I notice I get a little better every year that I have been self employed. So you’re never “done.”
)
Mindy Crary recently posted..Lack of Progress Sucks
@Mindy Crary: You’re right about self esteem being an ongoing thing. I’ve been doing serious work for about 11 years now and there have definitely been ups and downs along the way. I have a solid self worth now, but maintenance is key, for sure! I’m glad to hear about your progress in that area! Thanks for your comment!
Self esteem has been my achilles heel for quite a while, but I’m going to look up a few of your other posts. Pretty sure I could be the adult poster child for ADD *grin* A bit of focus would do me a LOT of good!
Katrina Moody recently posted..Special Needs, IEPs, and Back to School – Time to Boogie or Worry?
@Katrina Moody: Hi, Katrina! Thanks for your comment! I hope the other posts are useful
. Let me know if they help the focus 
.
Awesome post Leanne and I have to agree about the self-esteem thing too. This post was interesting in that it’s not simply about strategy and tactics but that there could be some underlying issues that doesn’t align your personality. I am rereading the 4 hour work week and I just read again Tim Ferriss’s take on time management – basically to eliminate it. I’m definitely going to be testing some assumptions.
Shae recently posted..How To Create Your Ideal Customer Avatar To Attract New Customers
@Shae: Hmm. I haven’t read Tim Ferriss’s book. Sounds like I might have to do that! I’m glad you’re testing assumptions. Always a good thing
. Thanks for your comment, Shae!
Leanne I think number 5 is more powerful than a lot of people realise. The fear of success can be a huge sabotaging factor yet often one that people are unaware of. Great post
Kama recently posted..Comment on 10 Valuable Confidence Tips – V (A-Z of Confidence) by Kama
@Kama: You’re right, Kama. And there are so many fears. Fear of success. Fear of failure. Fear of public speaking. Fear of really being known. And the list goes on. Thanks for your comment!
This is a very informative post. What I like the most is putting the underlying motives in perspective, in such a way that it is suddenly not scary anymore to deal with it. You have taken the sting out of it.
Retha Groenewald recently posted..Monitor the statistics using a plumb line and measuring line – Day 1
@Retha Groenewald: Mmm. That’s a cool insight. Thanks, Retha! I’m glad they’re not scary to deal with anymore.
Good, good blog Leanne! It made something really important pop up in my mind. Thank you for some clarity this morning!
Cathy Sykora recently posted..Water According to David Wolfe
@Cathy Sykora: Ooh, awesome! I’m glad you got some clarity, Cathy!
This is such a great post! I’ve been looking at what I’ve been doing in my business and how I’ve been wasting my time. FOMO and fear of putting my stuff out there has actually been a huge thing for me. Add a dollop of low self-esteem in there and I’ve finally gained the insight I need to structure my time better – that and I’ve now less of it!
Tabi(tha) Jayne recently posted..Free falling…How to beat stress in 3 simple steps
@Tabi(tha) Jayne: Thanks for your comment and I’m SO glad that this post was helpful, Tabi! Do you prefer Tabi or Tabitha?
@LeanneChesser: I like them both as they mean different things to me – though Tabitha does have a slight advantage – especially when my niece calls me Auntie Tabitha
Happy to let people choose what they prefer!
Tabi(tha) Jayne recently posted..Free falling…How to beat stress in 3 simple steps
@Tabi(tha) Jayne: I like your perspective. I’ll pick Tabitha
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Great post Leanne! I’ve definitely been guilty of not planning enough and being a yes sayer. Complaining that we don’t have enough time is common. However if we take time to understand the underlying reasons we become much more effective!
Linda recently posted..The #1 Reason You Aren’t Making More Money With Your Online Business
@Linda: Thanks for commenting, Linda! Yes, dealing with the underlying reasons definitely makes us more effective!
For me it’s overwhelm Leanne. There are two underlying reasons that I have to contend with. The first is that when I’m working on something mundane, I am easily distracted by something that may be more creative. The second is overwhelm. When I feel overwhelmed I just stop doing much of anything, even if I can’t afford the time to do nothing.
I find making lists and assigning deadlines helps me stay focused. I’ve never missed a deadline and somehow, everything that needs to be done gets done.
Julia Neiman ( recently posted..Create a List of Five “Daily Musts”
@Julia Neiman (@parenttrainer): Overwhelm is very common. That’s so awesome that you’ve found a solution that works for you!
I can relate to a few of these Leanne. It does get overwhelming at times and I like Julia’s tip. I’m going to try lists.
Linda Carmical recently posted..Strawberry & Blueberry Shortcakes To Go
@Linda Carmical: Hi, Linda! Let me know if the lists work for you
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You have a related fear and you’re sabotaging yourself. For example, are you afraid of actually putting yourself and/or your products out there? If so, maybe you’re wasting your time on other things . . .
This is the one that has been holding me back.
Debbie recently posted..List post on What I will be posting on 4 to 5 Days a week.
@Debbie: Thanks for your comment, Debbie! I’m glad you’re aware of what’s holding you back. Do you have any thoughts about how you can move forward?
@LeanneChesser:
I just made a list on what to blog about daily. So now I can make myself more accountable. I will feel bad especially if I don’t post on Tuesday and Thursday.
Debbie recently posted..Ten Ways to Relieve Stress
@Debbie: Cool that you made a list about daily posts and it sounds like you want to for sure post on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Is that right? Don’t beat yourself up if you miss days, though
. Is there anything else that will help with accountability?
Awesome article.
Working from home isn’t easy and one of the most common time wasters is surfing the internet for non-work related matter. Avoiding that kind of distraction is hard to master. So what I do is after finishing one task, I reward myself with a little break (15mins) to check my social media account.
You really made me reflect and think of the reason behind me failing to commit to my schedule and not being able to have a better time management skills.
I guess my reason is having too much distraction.
@Daza: Thanks for your comment, Daza! I totally agree that non-business-related time online (social media in particular) is a huge time waster for people. Your strategy is a good one. Thanks for sharing that!
@LeanneChesser: Sure thing.
I really relate to number 7. I am too busy putting out fires or getting it done that I have not found an organizational system that matches my personality. But perhaps 2013 will be the year.
Angela Privin recently posted..Shame and IBS: Talk about it to heal faster
@Angela Privin: That’s a really common one, Angela. So many of the systems and methods out there are created by, and suited to, one type of personality. Creative, less structures types of people pull their hair out with them and then feel like there’s something wrong with them because they can’t get it together. They just need something that works for them and who they are
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LeanneChesser recently posted..The Importance of Self Esteem
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