If we work for a company or ourselves, we have a job (or jobs) we do to make money.
These are the activities that we are paid to do.
Likely, none of our job or project descriptions include “attend meetings” or “respond to email”.
Yet, large chunks of our day can be spent on these activities.
We might have pet projects that might advance the work, but also aren’t what we were hired for.
The trick is to ensure we are maximizing the hours of our day that focus on the job.
Reading or reviewing the job description from time to time could be helpful.
My Perspective
The company or person that hires us needs a job done.
They don’t care if we spend 8 or 18 hours a day getting it done – as long as it’s finished.
If we are too busy at work to do the work, we end up doing it outside of office hours.
Finding ways to focus on what must be done inside office hours will remove hours outside of work.
We might have to deal with lots of things along the way.
Like setting boundaries.
Addressing our fears of missing out.
Developing strategies to focus.
Avoiding procrastination.
And more.
Yet, the result can give us back time.
Time outside of work.
Time to explore and spend time in other parts of our lives.
Your Turn
How much of your workday is spent doing the job you were hired for?
What could you do to shift 1 hour of work done in non-work hours back to work hours?
What holds you back from doing the job you were hired for during the workday?