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Stop Trying to Manage Your Time. Do This Instead.
We often talk about time management like it’s a magical skill you can master if you just buy the right planner, get the right tool, or maybe leverage the right AI agent workflow
But let’s be real for a second: time management is a myth.
You cannot create more time. It is a completely finite resource and “we all have the same 24 hours in a day”
Whether you’re a student trying to survive intense STEM classes or a working professional aiming to scale the corporate ladder, you can’t manage time…
You can only prioritize your energy and your values.
In a world inundated with AI tools that make things faster yet somehow leave us feeling more overwhelmed than ever, protecting your peace is no longer optional.
It's a necessity.
The Two Questions That Change Everything
To figure out how to properly prioritize, you have to look in the mirror and answer two heavy-hitting questions inspired by Jeff Henderson’s book Know What You're For:
What do you want to be known for?
What are you actually known for right now?
If you're a younger professional or a student, you might think, "Paul, I'm not even 30 yet... Why are you asking me about my legacy?"
Because it is incredibly easy to get comfortable. I’ve met people at retirement age who told me they took a job intending to stay for two years, and 30 years later, they were still there because they stopped pushing. If you are reading this, I know you want more out of life. You want to achieve your greatness. But to get there, you have to be intentional before comfort locks you in.
Activity vs. Productivity: My 4-Job Wake-Up Call
I’ve mentioned this before, but last year, I hit a massive wall. I was juggling four distinct, heavy-lifting roles every single week:
Leading a nonprofit: NALA(STEM)
Leading a team of career coaches at Wonsulting
Working full-time as an R&D Engineer in the corporate CPG world
Building the IncrediPaul brand (the speaking, the coaching, the content)
I live by a very simple rule in my career: You should always be learning or earning.
If you aren't doing either… then you need an exit strategy!
While I was definitely learning and earning across all four roles, I was running on fumes. I wasn't sleeping much, I felt sluggish, and I was mistaking pure activity for actual productivity.
I was people-pleasing and staying busy just for the sake of being busy.
To avoid total burnout, I had to make some hard choices. I passed the leadership reins of the nonprofit to a new CEO and stepped back from the coaching startup.
It was tough, but it allowed me to pour my highest energy into my corporate engineering career and into empowering you right here.
Your Turn: How to Audit Your Commitments
Get a Truth-Teller: Ask friends, family, or mentors what you are actually known for. Make sure they are people who will give you raw, honest feedback… not just what you want to hear.
The "Learn or Earn" Test: Look at your calendar. If a volunteer role, project, or side hustle isn't helping you learn new skills or earn income, ask yourself why you're still draining your battery for it.
Protect Your Rest: Unplugging isn't lazy; it’s the fuel required to unlock the most incredible version of yourself.
Catch the Full Breakdown
Want to dive deeper into how I transitioned out of burnout, plus hear a fun fact about how I ended up working for five different Fortune 500 organizations across the country?
I laid out the raw, real-time lessons in Episode 154 of the IncrediPaul Leadership Podcast!
See all the ways to stream it below!
TL;DR Time management is a myth. You can’t create more time, you can only prioritize your energy. To defeat burnout and stop confusing pure activity with productivity, you need to audit your calendar. Use the "Learn or Earn" test: if a commitment isn't teaching you valuable skills or bringing in income, it's draining your battery for the wrong reasons. Align your schedule with your true legacy, protect your rest, and stream the latest episode to find out how Paul broke free from a dangerous four-job burnout spiral.
Paul Faronbi discusses the complexities of time management and the risk of burnout in today's fast-paced world. He emphasizes that time management is a misnomer, advocating instead for prioritization of tasks based on personal values and goals. Paul shares insights on how students and professionals can navigate their responsibilities while maintaining a balance between productivity and personal well-being. He encourages listeners to reflect on their legacy and what they want to be known for, highlighting the importance of intentionality in life choices. The conversation also touches on the significance of seeking feedback and mentorship to foster personal growth and avoid burnout.
LEADERSHIP QUOTE
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for someone else."
CHECK OUT RECENT EPISODES OF INCREDIPAUL LEADERSHIP
Reminder new episodes come out every Monday at 6am Central Time. Check it out by going to incredipaul.org/podcast or stream on the following platforms: YouTube, Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon and More.
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