Note from Mary: Last year I received this story from my time management coach, Lisa Crilley-Mallis, and I thought, “THIS IS IT. This is one of the best examples of time management mastery and entrepreneurial freedom I’ve ever seen.”
And be sure to check the UPDATE at the end. The story became sweeter over time, because the choices she made unexpectedly let her be there for a once-in-a-lifetime moment with family she would have otherwise missed!
My sister called me and asked if I wanted to head to NY to watch my nephew play soccer.
“We will leave in two days. For three days,” she said.
Here’s what raced through my mind:
- My schedule’s packed — how am I supposed to rearrange everything?
- It’s his senior year. I won’t get many more chances to see him play.
- I started my business for freedom and flexibility. This is what that should look like, right?
And then, crap, she’s waiting for an answer on the other end of the phone! So I took a deep breath and said, “Sure, I can go.”
Of course, as soon as I hung up, I freaked out. My calendar and Asana task list were full and I’d just committed to three days away.
But here’s what I did:
- Deleted 8 tasks, 1 project, and 3 meetings that weren’t essential
- Delegated 2 meetings and 2 projects to my team
I freed up enough time to not only watch the game but also visit Niagara Falls—without feeling stressed about the work I’d “miss”.
Easier said than done, I know!
How do you know what to delete?
How do you know what to delegate?
This is exactly why I created the Delegate Like a Pro Masterclass: Learn how to move tasks, projects, and meetings off your plate FOR GOOD.
Imagine, being able to take off for last-minute trips, attend important family events, or just take a break—without sacrificing your business success.
It’s possible – I’m proof.
To your success!
UPDATE from when I wrote this: What I didn’t know when I wrote this was that it would be the last time I’d watch my nephew play soccer for a while. He dislocated his shoulder shortly after this trip, which ended his season. We build businesses to support our lives, but too often, we let our lives support our businesses. I’m so very grateful I diligently created the time.
Lisa Crilley Mallis
Founder of Impactive Strategies
