“Time management is budgeting time to increase productivity.”
wisegeek.org

Agreed.
I can see that.
But I’d actually like to challenge that school of thought.
Maybe even re-define it.
What if it was defined this way?

“Time management is budgeting time to decrease productivity.”

 The longer I live and the further I dive into this world of business, trying to gracefully juggle family time, networking events and social obligations, the more I discover that the practice of time management is absolutely essential. To increase play, not productivity.

I am often asked that age-old question, “How do you do it all?” I used to answer with a laundry list of ideas and solutions I use to augment my day, thinking I was truly being summoned to share my wisdom. I would share easy tips for my inquisitor to try, offering simple meal plans and strategies for maximizing a toddler’s afternoon naptime.

But now I answer it this way, “I don’t do it all. But everything I do in a day matters, and I let the rest go.” It’s true. Really. Some days an ice cream date with my boys is at the top of the list. Or standing in the kitchen kneading dough. Or funny banter with a friend on Facebook. Or adventuring out to a remote swinging bridge for a Sunday afternoon hike. Or sending dozens of emails to potential corporate partners. Or researching a future issue idea. Or balancing the checkbook.

Each, depending on the day, has its place. Has its time. Needs its place and time.

Few things are more relaxing or cathartic to me than baking. I yearn for time to sink my fingers into a bowl of cool flour, temper chocolate, proof yeast, roll out a perfect circular crust and pipe icing on a cake. For this issue, I volunteered myself for the job of making the cake recipe. Truth be told, I didn’t really have time for it. Or did I? Absolutely.

I’m so glad I did.

If you aren’t enjoying life now, when will you? If you aren’t managing your time to take in the sunset, walk your dog to the park, watch a Cubs game behind third base, scout out a Saturday auction, catch up on those seasons of Lost you never got around to…float lazily down a river in a canoe, when will you?

♥ Megan