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Time Management Tips for Family Leaders
Someone once said that "Effective time management means planning your day before someone else does" but no matter how well you manage your time, it's always possible to improve your productivity when it comes to your family!
There are many resources to assist you with improving your time management skills, but one of the best is John Maxwell's book Today Matters. In the book is a specific chapter highlighting the importance of choosing "high-yield" priorities over simply trying to manage "low yield" activities. It's a must read if you're serious about improving your family leadership effectiveness.
Here are...
12 Tips for improving family leadership productivity. - Develop a written plan for personal development -- It should include a section for Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Relational, Mental, Professional, and Influential growth projects. The primary focus should be on consistently stretching towards your full potential in each area
- Develop a written family growth plan -- A solid family doesn't just happen spontaneously. Spend time each day thinking about specific ways to make your family #1 and put these things in your schedule
- Have a written growth plan for your marriage -- Schedule a few days each year to get away with your spouse to create or revise a plan for improving your marriage. One of your priorities should be to become friends with the person you'll be living with after the kids are gone.
Follow your Plans -- A plan not followed is just a waste of both paper and time. Give your schedule the rocking chair test. Ask yourself "When I'm 95 and in my rocking chair, will I regret not doing this?"
- Know your strengths -- Take a personality test or ask a trusted friend to help you determine the areas where you'll shine. Spend most of your time "improving your shine." This is my personal favorite time management tip!
- Know your weaknesses -- Don't waste time trying to turn these areas into strengths, but work instead to build relationships with other people who have complimentary strengths.
- Learn your spouse's strengths. Spend time daily reinforcing them.
- Learn each of your children's strengths -- Spend lots of time reinforcing them.
- Learn your family's weaknesses -- Remind yourself constantly that you are not in charge of "fixing" your family. Learn the art of being graceful, your wife and kids already know where they are failing so don't remind them.
- Make a list -- It should consist only of things that you must do to reach your goals. Read it twice to make sure no one else could do them and then try to involve your family in doing them with you.
- Make a second list -- This one should consist of activities that give you a high level of return for the time invested. Exercise would be included here because it increases your energy levels and time management capabilities. Again, try to involve your family
- Make a third list -- These activities should give you a sense of fulfillment as a person and you should regularly include them into your schedule.
 
P.S. I use and truly believe in the resources that I mention on this page! Very simply, I recommend them because they work! -- I do receive a commission when you click on one of the links to their site -- It's a nice bonus for telling you the truth and spreading the word about products and resources that improve families by improving leaders.
P.P.S. If you like what you're reading why not sign up for my weekly e-mail filled with inspirational tips on personal growth, effective leadership, and intentional leadership? If you're serious about improving your family leadership these tips are a must read and best of all...they're free!
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