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Time management is difficult. We’re all busy, and sometimes it feels like we have 1,000 things on our to-do list that just keep piling up. There are some people that seem to have such a clear understanding of all the things they need to accomplish, but how? We work, have social lives, want family time, and desire free time, but the weight of all of these things begins to feel too heavy.
In The Art of Mentoring by Harold Taber Jr., speaks on this topic from his perspective as a mentor. Harold is the perfect example of the kind of person who has figured out the complexities of time management. As the former COO of Coca-Cola and first president of Monster Beverage, you can imagine that he had a myriad of responsibilities. Within this book, he shares wisdom on time management and a variety of other topics. We get an intimate look at how he managed all of these things and more.
Harold uses the metaphor of a jar. The jar symbolizes our life, and we choose what gets put into it. There are certain things that we fill our jar up with that are considered sand. Sand would be the time we spend on self-entertainment, social media, watching TV, playing video games, etc. None of these things are really necessary. But sometimes we find ourselves filling up our jars with sand, often without realizing it, and having no time left over for anything else. Sand does have a place in a jar, but is it the best use of our time? There are other more pressing matters in our lives and these are considered pebbles and rocks. Pebbles are things that do need to be completed but definitely aren’t the highest priority: doing laundry, going grocery shopping, etc. Then there are rocks, the ones that should be at the very base of our jar– family, health, work, faith, that should all be immovable. I took a step back and realized I was feeling overwhelmed by my lack of time because I was so focused on sand that I didn’t leave room for anything else. Our jars need the rocks, we need the pebbles, and we’ll soon find out that even when our jars are filled, there’s room for sand to seep through the cracks.
Harold also expresses that time management is about commitment. We have to be committed to the things that need to be done and committed to ourselves during that process. When I go into work every day, I have an obligation to complete my work on time and with excellence. This means I have to make sure I’m keeping myself accountable throughout my tasks. I also have a commitment to my loved ones to show up and invest in my relationships with them. At the core, I am committed to so many different things, and my time should reflect these promises. Yes, it can be difficult, and I don’t want to minimize how difficult it can be. You deserve to show up for yourself and those around you.
So, take a look at your jar and see what kinds of things need to be shifted or added. I can guarantee the weight of time will ease a bit as you learn to manage your priorities and keep yourself accountable.
If you would like to learn more about Harold professional journey, along with his tips for successful Mentorship, purchase a pre-sale copy of his book, The Art of Mentoring on our Store page.
Click this link to read the synopsis of the book or order a presale copy today!
Contributor: Jessica Carrera, Associate Editor at TSE Worldwide Press, holds a B.A. in English with a concentration in writing from Biola University. She aspires to touch the lives of others through her words.