In the July 2023 Newsletter
  Finding Time / Events

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Finding Time

“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”
    Harvey Mackay

Have you been there? Too much to do and not enough time to do it. Time is our most precious resource. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Time is money.” If you want something done, ask a busy person. However, even if you’re typically very efficient, having too much on your plate can be very stressful. You begin to feel overwhelmed. When this happens, you can become unproductive and unable to get anything done. What to do?

Practical Pointers

Here are a few strategies from my research on Pursuit of Passionate Purpose.

	PRIORITIZE. Pause, breathe, and discern what is most critical to accomplish now.
	USE THE PERSISTENCE STRATEGY. The basis is to ‘Divide and Conquer.’ Don’t try to do everything at once. Rather, the approach should be: a. Commit to a clear purpose; b. Divide the whole purpose into parts; and c. Conquer the whole, piece by piece and persevere with unrelenting will to accomplish each part.
	SAY NO IN ORDER TO SAY YES. Even when you divide the task into parts, there may be just too much on your plate to get even one part finished. In that case, get clear on your top priority, tackle a piece of the part in line with that priority, and say yes to it. Then put the rest out of your mind so it’s not sucking your energy.
	USE THE ALLOWING STRATEGY. Be clear on what you want and allow the means for attaining it to unfold. Let go of attachment to a certain way to attain your goal. By reducing internal struggle, you increase the impact of your energy.
	USE THE CONNECTIONS STRATEGY. Ask for help. As the Bible says, “Ask and ye shall receive.” People want to be wanted. They like to help. Some are standing on the sidelines wishing they could be involved. Perhaps your own passionate purpose can bring meaning to their lives, and it may even become their reason for being. Don’t do it alone. Delegate. Hire help as a way to buy time. Build a support system.

My Story

Right now, I am busy. I am juggling many balls. It helps for me to recall a few years ago when I stepped into the State of Colorado Chief Information Officer (CIO) position on the governor’s cabinet. I had to prioritize and let go of certain things in order to say YES to running the information technology for the state. Here’s what I did:

1. Transitioned leadership of my company, Radish Systems. I hired an Acting CEO and promoted internally to have another colleague take on a bigger role. With this, I knew the enterprise was in good hands. I moved off the board of directors, stopped participating in meetings, and trusted that the other co-founder and new leaders would guide it through. They did a great job.

2. Said NO. I stopped doing my Szczurek Success Strategies e-newsletter every month and moved it to an occasional distribution. I said NO to a significant non-profit board seat. I let the other co-leaders of my Girl Scout troop step up and take the lead.

3. Asked for help. My husband was a huge help in supporting my State role and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks. I remember coming home every day, after a 90-minute bus commute, to a dinner waiting on the table for me.

Summary

Recognize when you have too much on your plate and that you’re becoming inefficient and losing time. What to do? Prioritize. Divide and conquer what is on your plate into one smaller part. Say NO in order to say YES. Allow an easier way to emerge for attaining your goal. Get others to help you.

Selected Events

August 11, 2023 and August 25, 2023. Two weekends of women’s backpacking in Colorado. I have room for one or two more experienced outdoors-women to join me each weekend. If that is you, please let me know soon.

August 20-23, 2023. Theresa is at the Institute of Public Procurement (NIGP) conference in Louisville, KY. Let me know if you want to meet.

August 27-30, 2023. Theresa is at the NASTD annual conference in Boston, MA. Let me know if you want to meet.

September 12-17, 2023. In Pittsburgh, PA for a very special family event.

September 23, 2023. Theresa is at her Morton East high school reunion in the Chicago area. Hope to see you there.

September 28-30, 2023. See you at the Western Colorado University homecoming and board meeting. There is BIG news about to break.

October 8-11, 2023. See you at the NASCIO conference in Minneapolis, MN. The National Association of State Chief Information Officers always provides great education and networking.

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D.
C-Level Executive, Corporate Director, Consultant, and Colorado CIO of the Year

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