Today's TQ

Daily Lessons in Intentional Excellence
Sunday, February 15, 2026

Have You Made Time For Yourself?

First decide where you would like to spend your extra time. Then look for ways to free up your schedule to gain time for these new, preferred activities.

Having goals for the use of your newly found time increases your motivation to say "NO" to distractions and diversions.

Today's TQ Challenge: Say "NO" to Some Things to Have More Time for the Right Things.

Choose to be JUDICIOUS! How will you make the most of any extra time you gain today?
Choose to be FOCUSED! Which high payoff items would you like to undertake, but don't currently have time for?
Choose to be DISCERNING! When, today, will you take 10 minutes to write down what you'd most like to accomplish with your extra time?

One of your most effective time management skills is the ability to say "No." Courteously and judiciously, of course. You can't do it all, and do it all well. Having a specific use for your time -- at every point in time -- increases your motivation to say NO to "nonscheduled opportunities" or less valuable distractions. There's no such thing as unlimited resources. This is especially true of time. You can push your limits, but to be the most productive possible, know when enough is enough.

"Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can." ~ Willis Whitney

Think about it. How well and how often do you actually DO Optimize Factor 9C?

"I say "No" to some things to have more time to concentrate on others."

A high commitment (9C rated 8 or better) suggests you are someone who guards your limited time, and dedicates it to what you want to accomplish the most. With only 24 hours in a day, you know there isn't time to do it all. It's not that you don't want to. However, you've learned that you can't be at your best when you are pulled in too many directions at the same time. You know which of your roles are most important, so you keep your immediate and long-term goals for these roles in sight at all times. With these priorities in mind, you choose to give up some things -- as desirable as they may be -- to devote more time to what's most important to you.

On the other hand...

A lack of commitment suggests you are someone who is constantly on the run -- just trying to keep up. Your calendar is filled with a host of unrelated activities. You've never learned to say NO to new "opportunities" or requests from others. You do your best to juggle your commitments -- and frequently measure your success by just showing up -- even if you're not fully prepared. You know you could do better -- if ONLY you had more time. There is always something else you should be doing -- and the stress associated with trying to get everything done -- never seems to go away.

What happens when you CHOOSE to do Factor 9C a bit more frequently?

By focusing on fewer projects, you have more time to improve or complete the ones remaining. You accumulate performance positives like "Concentrated, Judicious and Focused" -- immediately moving you towards the results you expect.

What happens when you FAIL to consistently do Factor 9C?

When you're spread too thin, you can't give your best to anything. Negatives like "Overcommitted, Scattered and Ineffective" start to take their toll on your performance -- quickly moving you away from the success you want.

Now Ask Yourself This...
Is Factor 9C Causing You Problems?

If you believe this factor is a key performance obstacle -- and that it's preventing you from realizing your personal dreams and goals -- then you need to improve it.

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