Jun 13, 2023
James Clear’s Advice on Managing Your Time Toward Your Goals
Time is our most valuable resource. How you manage and allocate your time can make the difference between when or if you achieve your goals.
If you want to learn to manage your time better. One of the top public speakers and thought leaders on habits and time is James Clear, who shares his ideas in his 3-2-1 Newsletter and on LinkedIn. You can also read more about how to make good habits in his 10-million copy-selling book Atomic Habits.
Here are a few ways you can manage your time better toward your goals.
1) Forget the Myth There’s Not Enough Time
According to James, “The myth is that there isn’t enough time. There is plenty of time. There isn’t enough focus with the time you have. You win by directing your attention toward better things.”
2) Avoid Time On Unimportant Tasks
According to James, “The most invisible form of wasted time is doing a good job on an unimportant task.”
Focus more time on tasks that help you reach your goals.
3) Balance Your Time Assets and Time Debts
According to James, look at all the things you do in terms of time assets versus time debts.
“Time assets are choices that save you time in the future. Think: saying no to a meeting, automating a task, working on something that persists and compounds. Time debts are choices that must be repaid and cost you time in the future. Think: saying yes to a meeting, doing sloppy work that will need to be revised, etc. Time assets are an investment. Time debts are an expense.”
4) Get Started Now on the Goal You Want to Achieve
According to James, when it comes to pursuing goals: “Don’t rush but don’t wait. Act with urgency, but release yourself from the need to achieve it on a particular timeline. When you think longer term than most, you can think bigger than most. If it takes years, start now.”
5) Think About Time in Terms of 10 Years and One Hour Increments
According to James, time management comes down to “10 years or 1 hour. Those are the two time frames worth prioritizing.
10 years is shorthand for thinking longer-term than nearly everyone else and doing things that are really ambitious or meaningful. Most of the deeply meaningful things in life require long time horizons: building a business, cultivating a happy marriage, growing a family, getting in the best shape of your life, etc.
How do you work toward the 10-year things? In 1 hour increments.
One hour is shorthand for doing things that can be accomplished from start to finish in a single session, like a good workout, a good writing session, reading a chapter of a book, going on a fun date, etc. The key is that you finish with something accomplished, not with half-work still waiting to be completed.
If you spend 1 hour working toward a 10-year project—and you repeat this day after day—you’re going to end up living a lovely life.”
To learn more about personal development, get more motivational insights, or book James Clear, contact BigSpeak Speakers Bureau today, a leading speaking agency.
For More On Personal Development
James Clear: Three Habits to Help You Stay Motivated
Habit Expert James Clear Explains How to Get Back Into the Work Groove