Episode #23 – Time Manipulation: Your Relationship With Time Unveiled For Productivity & Personal Satisfaction

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[00:00:00] INTRODUCTION

[00:00:00] Taty Fittipaldi: In our next two episodes that will wrap up this season, we’re diving into the high-performance framework, using some of the concepts of the Tower Of Action system. The best part? You can access free training on this framework to supercharge your performance and time management skills. Look out for the link in the show notes. On today’s episode, we’re getting down to the nitty gritty of how your relationship with time can seriously impact your overall performance in life. We’ll also share some valuable insights on how to enhance that relationship for peak performance.

[00:00:37] NARRATOR’S INTRO: Hello and welcome to the Leadership Nest Podcast. The podcast that nests stories, knowledge, and science to soar the leadership in you. I’m your host, Taty Fittipaldi. As always, our podcast will be divided into three phases. A story, a lesson, and its application. [00:01:00] This way, you can have structure and information while also having some fun.

[00:01:07] NARRATOR’S INTRO: This program is brought to you by Coaching Expatriates.

[00:01:12] TODAY’S STORY

[00:01:12] Taty Fittipaldi: Once upon a time in the lively city of Sydney, Australia, there lived a woman named Sarah. Sarah was a talented individual with dreams and aspirations. But she constantly struggled with procrastination. Whether it was tackling big projects or even something as simple as doing laundry, Sarah found herself easily distracted, and lacked clarity about her goals.

[00:01:38] Taty Fittipaldi: Her relationship with time was very distorted, causing frustration and missed opportunities in her life.

[00:01:45] Taty Fittipaldi: One day, by, what seemed like serendipity, Sarah had the chance to meet in the Kakadu national park a wise guru known for transforming lives. Intrigued and desperate for change, [00:02:00] she sought their guidance. Sharing her struggles and her longing for a more purposeful life while they walked and observed the nature.

[00:02:09] Taty Fittipaldi: The guru with the compassionate smile, decided to impart his wisdom to Sarah. They presented her with a set of six steps to mend her relationship with time and unlock her true potential.

[00:02:23] Taty Fittipaldi: Even after the guru returned to their country, they maintained contact.

[00:02:28] Taty Fittipaldi: Sarah began her change journey by setting specific and achievable daily goals. She realized that having a clear target for each task, no matter how small, gave her a sense of purpose and direction. And the ability to make and change priorities.

[00:02:46] Taty Fittipaldi: The guru taught Sarah to ask herself. How is using my time right now to do this task, helping me?

[00:02:55] Taty Fittipaldi: This simple, but profound question, became her guiding [00:03:00] light. Helping her assess the value of her actions at every moment.

[00:03:05] Taty Fittipaldi: Sarah learned to plan and prioritize her tasks, but be flexible and adapt her plans as needed. If a task did not align with her goals, she shifted her focus to more meaningful endeavors. She embraced various time management techniques, experimenting with strategies like the Pomodoro technique and time blocking. She experimented with different things , until she found the best method that allowed her to structure her day more effectively and stay on track.

[00:03:39] Taty Fittipaldi: When her best friend came over one day, she shared all about this method, which was called the Tower Of Action system. She told her friend that she was finally able to create a structure for her day and gain the clarity that she needed about what worked for her. She told her friend that each evening she [00:04:00] reflected on her day, celebrating her successes, and analyzing areas for improvement, while using this method. She used these insights to fine tune her own approach to success and fulfillment.

[00:04:14] Taty Fittipaldi: Sarah’s friend was very happy for her and committed to helping Sarah as a support and accountability partner during her journey of change. Sarah’s friend always told her that she had great potential, but what was really missing was the clarity and the structure.

[00:04:33] Taty Fittipaldi: The encounter with the guru was fundamental. Sarah realized that time was her most precious resource! Something so simple. But she never really realized it before. She began to honor it. Treating every moment as an opportunity for growth and fulfillment.

[00:04:53] Taty Fittipaldi: Over time, Sarah diligently applied these concepts to her life. Initially it [00:05:00] wasn’t easy. She faced resistance. Moments of self doubt. And of course the lingering habit of procrastination. Yes. Yes. Changing a habit is not easy. But she persisted, she was insistent. Reminding herself of the guru’s teaching and the importance of her relationship with time.

[00:05:22] Taty Fittipaldi: As months past, Sarah experienced a profound transformation. Her once chaotic and procrastination-filled life began to shift. She became highly focused, consistently achieving her goals. And no longer felt overwhelmed by the weight of her tasks.

[00:05:42] Taty Fittipaldi: One day, Sarah accomplished something truly remarkable. She successfully launched her own business! A venture she had dreamed of for years, but never had the clarity or the discipline to pursue. With her freshly discover appreciation for her [00:06:00] relationship with time, she managed her resources effectively, worked diligently, and brought her vision to life.

[00:06:08] Taty Fittipaldi: Sarah story became an inspiration for those around her. Her journey, from procrastination to accomplishment, showcased the incredible power of understanding and honoring one’s time. Thanks to the wisdom of the guru, and her commitment to the concepts, she not only transformed her own life, but also became a beacon of possibility for others seeking to unlock their potential through a better relationship with time.

[00:06:38] SPONSOR’S NOTE: This episode is sponsored by Coaching Expatriates, a leading global executive development company that helps leaders around the world create happier and more profitable workplaces using the four success pillars in global leadership, an innovative leadership learning methodology. Visit their website at www.

[00:06:59] SPONSOR’S NOTE: [00:07:00] coachingexpatriates. com.

[00:07:05] TODAY’S LESSON

[00:07:05] TODAY’S LESSON: Today’s lesson.

[00:07:14] Taty Fittipaldi: What is a relationship?

[00:07:16] Taty Fittipaldi: A relationship is a connection or a bond between individuals or things. It’s about how people and objects interact, communicate and understand each other. Relationships can exist between friends, family members, lovers, or even between you and your belongings.

[00:07:37] Taty Fittipaldi: And there is your relationship with time. Your time.

[00:07:43] Taty Fittipaldi: What is a relationship with time?

[00:07:45] Taty Fittipaldi: A relationship with time is how you interact with and see your own time. In other words, how you manage and utilize your time. It’s about understanding that time is valuable. And recognizing that your [00:08:00] actions and decisions regarding time can impact your life.

[00:08:04] Taty Fittipaldi: Building a good relationship with time involves being mindful of how you spend your time, why you are spending your time that way, and making choices that aligned with your values and objectives. It’s about using time effectively to achieve your desired outcomes, rather than letting time slip away without purpose.

[00:08:29] Taty Fittipaldi: Your purpose, values and goals are to your time as loving attention is to your lover. Let me repeat that. Your purpose, values and goals are to your time as loving attention is to your lover.

[00:08:46] Taty Fittipaldi: It might sound a bit wild, but the first Step in fostering, a healthy connection with time is having crystal clear goals for each moment of your day. Whether it’s doing your laundry [00:09:00] or embarking on a more significant task, having a defined purpose is key.

[00:09:05] Taty Fittipaldi: To truly value your time, you need to adopt a mindset that sees your time as precious. Treat it as a valuable resource that must be used wisely. So much so, that you’d never allow anyone to make you use your time in a way you don’t value.

[00:09:25] Taty Fittipaldi: Your time is precious.

[00:09:28] Taty Fittipaldi: Now seriously, here’s the golden rule. Always ask herself. How is investing my time in this task right now, going to benefit me? Remember, this question applies to everything you do, from taking a leisurely stroll in the park to watching a movie or working on a project. And it applies especially when someone else [00:10:00] asks you to use your time to do something with them, for them, or on their behalf.

[00:10:07] Taty Fittipaldi: If you do what someone is suggesting or asking of you, how will you benefit or how will you be honoring your time? How aligned is this with what you want and need? How are any of your goals related to this? And your values.

[00:10:26] Taty Fittipaldi: If you’re struggling to find a satisfying answer to this question, it’s a sign that you need to clarify your goal and purpose before you use your time with whatever.

[00:10:38] Taty Fittipaldi: I’m not saying you have to be self-centered or egotistical. I’m saying we all need to be more cautious about the use of our time.

[00:10:47] Taty Fittipaldi: In a previous episode, we talked about the balance between encouraging and discouraging relationships, right? And I told you that we have to always have a balance between these [00:11:00] two for relationships to flourish. Because nobody’s perfect. You cannot be encouraging 100% of the time. And other people can’t be encouraging 100% of the time either. So, there must be a leeway for relationships with people.

[00:11:20] Taty Fittipaldi: Time, however, does never go back! If you piss time off, they’re gone! You cannot apologize. It’s over. Your time is precious because it’s a resource that you cannot make amends for. You cannot redo and you cannot have second chances. So there are no balances here. No leeway. Your relationship with time must always be encouraging.

[00:11:52] Taty Fittipaldi: So whenever you are interacting with your time, you have to make sure this interaction is the best possible, cause you [00:12:00] won’t really have a second chance. Time does not go back. So you have to know exactly how and why you are using it.

[00:12:11] Taty Fittipaldi: Let’s take, Netflix, as an example. What’s your clear objective when spending time on Netflix? Is it to unwind and boost your mood after a long day of work? If so, if you start watching something that makes you tense or sad. It’s probably not aligned with your goal. In our Tower of Action system we’d tell you to hit the pause button, and find something better suited to your current objective. You can always save that mysterious or scary movie for when it matches your desired mood.

[00:12:47] Taty Fittipaldi: Now go beyond simple tasks. Think about a discussion. When was the last time you had the discussion that yielded just discomfort, sadness, and negativity. The [00:13:00] time you used for a long discussion that only brought you bad feelings… was lost for nothing.

[00:13:07] Taty Fittipaldi: 20 years ago, I went to training that started talking about our inner shadow, shadow work and other stuff of that nature. It was a one week retreat and we were literally in the middle of nowhere. After about 10 or 15 minutes of the initial presentation, one guy stood up and said, sorry, I’m out of here. This is not for me. And he left.

[00:13:33] Taty Fittipaldi: I remember thinking: poor guy. He does not seem to be very open-minded. And I thought that because it came to my mind that he was not willing to really hear what was this training about any further.

[00:13:48] Taty Fittipaldi: Only today I realized that the one not really open-minded was myself back then. I wasn’t open-minded enough to realize that this [00:14:00] guy was honoring his time. And would only do things aligned with what he wanted. And what he believed in. Even if these beliefs could be labeled close minded.

[00:14:13] Taty Fittipaldi: This concept is the heart of today’s episode. Your relationship with time. Treat it as something precious. Honor it by using it wisely. So you don’t have regrets later. Make sure it helps you rather than hinders you. So remember time is your most valuable asset. Cherish it! Manage it wisely and watch your performance soar in any aspect of your life when you use this simple concept.

[00:14:45] NARRATOR’S NOTE: You’re listening to The Leadership Nest, the podcast that nests stories, knowledge, and science to soar the leadership in you. With your host Taty Fittipaldi.[00:15:00]

[00:15:02] TODAY’S TIPS TO APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED

[00:15:02] TODAY’S TIPS TO APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED: Today’s tips to apply what you learned.

[00:15:11] Taty Fittipaldi: In the previous section, we highlighted the importance of having a positive relationship with time to top perform in any life aspect. We emphasized that time should be treated as a precious resource and that you should use it wisely to achieve your goals and enhance your overall performance.

[00:15:32] Taty Fittipaldi: Today, we’re going to break down to practical steps to make this happen.

[00:15:37] Taty Fittipaldi: Step one. Define clear goals for your day. Start your day by setting clear goals for what you want to achieve. Whether it’s at work, during your leisure time or even household chores, having specific objectives in mind helps you make the most out of your time. It’s like having a roadmap to follow. To create a goal out [00:16:00] of a task, you can ask why you are doing that task. The answer to this WHY will most likely be your goal or a great pointer to your true goal.

[00:16:13] Taty Fittipaldi: Step two, ask the crucial question. Before you embark on any task, ask yourself: how is using my time right now to perform this task, helping me?

[00:16:25] Taty Fittipaldi: This question ensures that your actions align with your goals. If you can’t find a satisfying answer, it’s a signal to pause and clarify your objective.

[00:16:37] Taty Fittipaldi: Step three. Adapt and prioritize. Be flexible and willing to adapt, but set clear priorities of what you want to accomplish. If you realize that what you are doing isn’t contributing to your goal, pivot. Prioritize tasks that directly support your objectives and don’t be afraid to reevaluate as circumstances [00:17:00] change. We’ll talk about prioritization and how to do it on this season’s next and final episode.

[00:17:07] Taty Fittipaldi: Step four. Time management techniques. Invest some time in learning effective time management techniques. Techniques like the pomodoro technique, time blocking and to do lists, can help you stay on track and make the most of your day. If you want to learn more about this and all the secret tactics for effective time management and high-performance, I suggest you watch our free training on the topic. Again, there will be a link on the show notes for you.

[00:17:37] Taty Fittipaldi: Step five. Reflect and adjust. At the end of the day, take a moment to reflect on how you managed your time. Did you meet your goals? Were there moments when you could have used your time more wisely? Use these reflections to adjust your approach for the future. And learn how well you are [00:18:00] nurturing your relationship with time.

[00:18:02] Taty Fittipaldi: Step six. Keep honoring your time. Consistently applying these steps will help you maintain a healthy and productive relationship with your time. Remember time is precious and by using it wisely, you will accomplish more, reduce stress, and, ultimately, with a more fulfilling life.

[00:18:23] KEY TAKEAWAYS

[00:18:23] KEY TAKEAWAYS: Key Takeaways

[00:18:32] Taty Fittipaldi: What’s your main takeaway from this episode? Here are mine.

[00:18:36] Taty Fittipaldi: Number one. Get free training. The concepts presented on this episode and the next are based on the high-performance workshop training using the Tower of Action system. Which you can access for free to boost your performance and master time management. Check the show notes for a link to this valuable resource.

[00:18:55] Taty Fittipaldi: Number Two. Clarify your goals. Setting clear and [00:19:00] specific goals for each moment in our day is crucial. Whether it’s work-related tasks, leisure activities, or household chores, knowing what you want to achieve, at any time, helps you stay focused and make efficient use of your time.

[00:19:16] Taty Fittipaldi: Number Three. Ask the right question. Before I diving into any task, always ask yourself: how is using my time right now to do this task, helping me? This question ensures that your actions align with your objectives. If they don’t, it’s a signal to reassess and realign.

[00:19:37] Taty Fittipaldi: Number Four. The foundation for a top performance. Building a healthy relationship with time is the cornerstone of excelling in any area of your life. When you value and use your time wisely, you pave the way for peak performance, not just in your work, but in all aspects of your life. Time is your most [00:20:00] precious resource. Honoring it leads to success, reduced stress, and a more rewarding life overall.

[00:20:07] HIGHLIGHTS

[00:20:07] Taty Fittipaldi: This brings us to the end of these leadership Nest episode. I hope you have enjoyed learning about how your relationship with time can affect your performance and what to do about it. Tune into our episode next week, when we will dive deeper into step three of the process mentioned in this episode. How to build and use a prioritization system to make wise choices for the best use of your time.

[00:20:34] Taty Fittipaldi: Wherever you are in the globe, this is Taty Fittipaldi wishing you a beautiful day.

[00:20:39] Taty Fittipaldi: If you have any questions, you’d like us to answer in a future episode of this show, just go to speakpipe.com/tatyfittipaldi or click the link in the show notes, to leave us a brief audio message.

[00:20:57] Taty Fittipaldi: Make sure to visit us on our [00:21:00] website www.theleadershipnest.com, where you can subscribe to our show anywhere podcasts are streamed, so you never miss the fun.

[00:21:10] Taty Fittipaldi: While there, if you find value in our show, you can also subscribe to our global leadership weekly newsletter from Coaching Expatriates®, where we deliver bite-sized lessons on global leadership, decision-making, and cultural competence to help you learn how to think, relate and strategize in a whole different way as a global leader.

[00:21:32] Taty Fittipaldi: If you liked our show, you might want to check her online global executive leadership program. A nine week leadership development and learning system, that will help you lead internationally while making financially conscious and impactful business decisions.

[00:21:47] Taty Fittipaldi: Taty Fittipaldi is also available for private coaching. See the websites for more details at [00:22:00] www.coachingexpatriates.com/executive-coaching.

[00:22:00] Taty Fittipaldi: Thanks for joining us this week on The Leadership Nest podcast. Be sure to tune in next week for our next episode. Until the next time, keep nesting.

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