‘Most of us fail to analyse the elements of time, yet that’s at the core of successful outcomes.’  Cathy Jack Coupland  

How many times have you seen a piece of work and secretly thought, ‘I had that idea, why didn’t I use it?’ 

The answer’s simple.  Somewhere along the line, I lost focus, and they didn’t.  They made it important and I didn’t.  And that begs the question, why?

It’s so easy to lose sight of the end game.  Distractions abound and life happens, but at some point, there has to be a priority or a premium set on the time I want to spend on the things I want to do.  And that can be extremely difficult for some to achieve.  It all comes down to how much you want that outcome.

‘If something really matters to you, you’ll make the time to include it in your life.  What’s it tell you then if it’s not already there?’  Cathy Jack Coupland

I’m juggling so many balls at the moment that my normal routine’s out the window, so I have to re-evaluate and re-set to get myself back on track.  The main thing is, I acknowledge things have changed, so I have to change too.  It sounds so simple, but sometimes we just forget – and we pay for it with our time.

‘Time management is one of the best tools an artist can have in their asset arsenal.  Do you use it, or do you lose it?  Cathy Jack Coupland

And sometimes change is uncomfortable.  Time just doesn’t appear out of anywhere, but we all have the very same 24 hours each day to re-set and refine until that change happens and becomes easier.  So where do I start?

I’m a list-lover, so I’m making a list of the things I need to achieve each day.  I’ll also do a rough time-line and try to marry the two together.  As an early riser, I try to get things done in the morning that requires either effort or focus, but it’s also the time I like to write while I’m fresh and alert, as well as read.    Time for reading is what I really have to focus on.  Once that book’s open, I’m fine, plus my new book stand makes it a breeze to read while enjoying a cup of coffee.  Afternoons are definitely my ‘comfort-zone’ – a time for drawing, designing or stitching – tasks that are soothing and repetitious.

‘Passion + Focus + Time = Outcome.’  Cathy Jack Coupland

So analysing how and when I work best and linking that to a do-able timeline, is my way of making the best of my time as well as achieving focus on the things I love to do.

That’s just me.  Check out these time management ideas on prioritising, removing distractions, handling things once and lots more.

‘Knowing myself and when I work best is my secret to savvy time tasking.’  Cathy Jack Coupland

How do you define your time?

cathy jack coupland