By Lynell Green
I hope this year is going well for you. Hard to believe it is already April. Time flies. My goal this year is to share my journey and to offer solutions to some of the common challenges we face as leaders. I hope the solutions are helpful.
Personal Reflections – The Magic of Time
I spent the month of December in Kona and it is where time slows down. The speed limit on the freeway as I leave the airport is 45mph. As I drive, I am immediately present to the gift of slowing down. Driving slow allows me to enjoy the amazing views of the ocean, the flowers, the black lava rock and all of the island’s natural beauty. I love it.
It took me 10 days to slow my mind down. Waking up with my “eternal to do list” running in my head. Once I slowed down, I was able to enjoy the sunsets, read, lay in the sun, rest and think. Not strategize, not worry, not problem solve. Just think and relax. I was there for 5 weeks in total and I left renewed and refreshed. I am exploring ways to capture this mindset now that I am back home. I am allowing the magic of time to be a gift that I cherish.
Leading Ourselves
One challenge we all face is how to effectively lead ourselves especially during challenging times. As our responsibilities increase and we mature, our strategies for self-management need to evolve. I turned 65 last year and I am grateful for the life I have lived. I am also excited about the dreams and desires I have for the next chapter of my life.
As leaders at all levels—individual, team, and community—we can struggle with time management and work-life balance due to increasing demands, high expectations, and the pressure to be available 24/7.
Key Time Management & Work-Life Balance Challenges for Leaders as we lead ourselves
- Overcommitment & Prioritization Struggles – Leaders take on too much and struggle to delegate.
- Blurred Boundaries Between Work & Personal Life – The rise of remote work makes disconnecting difficult.
- Decision Fatigue & Mental Overload – Continuous decision-making depletes cognitive energy.
- Lack of Structured Systems – Poor time management leads to inefficiency and stress.
- Guilt & Pressure to Always Be Available – Many leaders feel they must be constantly “on.”
“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” – Stephen R. Covey
Solutions:
Set Non-Negotiable Priorities: Identify your top 3 priorities each day. If it’s not a priority, it can wait.
Use Time-Blocking: Dedicate specific blocks for deep work, meetings, and personal time.
Adopt the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks into urgent/important to focus on what truly matters.
Schedule Downtime Like a Meeting: Protect personal time the same way you would an important business call.
Learn to Say No Strategically: Warren Buffett said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”
