ON THE CLOCK - Time, the priceless currency you can't track

Time is our most valuable, yet elusive, resource. We carefully manage many areas of our lives, but rarely think of time in the same way - And when it comes to your career, how you spend your hours matters just as much as the salary you earn. The key is getting a better return on investment (ROI) from the time you put in at work, ensuring that your efforts don’t just fill hours, but create meaningful results. And, reap the rewards.

Recently I listened to a podcast where a younger entrepreneur was talking through their success. They had amassed a decent chunk of wealth that most of us will never earn in a lifetime before they were even 30. Clearly they had maximised their time so efficiently they could feasible retire. It sharpened my mind and focus and made me readdress and review my own work schedule - I ended up cutting a couple of tasks out of my week, that were not significantly moving me towards my end goals.

Whilst not all of us will earn millions, we can certainly squeeze more efficiency from the ways we work. The end result does also not need to be financial wealth. Success could be spending every evening with your family at the dinner table. Whatever your successful outcome is, maximising your time is the key to achieving it.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

The traditional mindset of working long hours to achieve success is becoming increasingly outdated. Yes, there will be those out there able to work 17+ hour days, but they are outliers. Nearly every study on this subject suggests we all have a window where we are most effective when working. Clocking in early and staying late doesn’t always equate to productivity. In fact, it can lead to serious burnout and worse returns. The goal isn’t to work more; it’s to work smarter. Here’s how:

1. Focus On Impactful Work: Identify tasks that directly contribute to your goals and focus your energy on them. Avoid getting bogged down in low-impact activities that don’t move the needle.
2. Leverage Technology: Use tools, automation, and collaboration platforms to streamline workflows and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.
3. Delegate: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks that can be handled by others and collaborate with colleagues to divide the workload.
4. Set Boundaries: Productivity doesn’t mean being available 24/7. Set clear boundaries around your workday to maximise focus and give yourself the time needed to recharge.
5. Focus on Results, Not Hours: Instead of thinking about how long something takes, focus on the outcome. What matters most is the quality and impact of the work, not how many hours it took to complete.

Working for a Business That Values Time

To achieve a great ROI on your time, you need to work for a business that shares those values. The best employers recognise that true productivity isn’t about putting in endless hours—it’s about achieving goals efficiently. They encourage flexibility and autonomy, providing an environment where employees can manage their time and deliver results with the trust to do so.

Look for a company that measures success through clear, meaningful metrics rather than attendance or hours logged. Just because someone is in the office, or sat at a computer screen does not mean they are working efficiently...we all know that to be true!

When clear goals and targets are set. Open communication is available at all times. And performance is done on goal focused metrics, everyone is a winner.

Businesses Need to Shift Focus

For businesses, the shift toward valuing time efficiency over hours worked isn’t just a trend—it’s essential to long-term success. Companies that demand constant physical presence and treat attendance as a marker of commitment often miss the bigger picture. Success isn’t about how long someone stays at their desk; it’s about the results they deliver.

Businesses should focus on creating flexible work environments that allow employees to maximise their potential while maintaining work-life balance. Here’s how:

1. Real Flexibility: Offer remote work options and flexible hours so employees can manage their time in a way that fits their personal lives. Trust employees to deliver without micromanaging their schedules.
2. Measure Output, Not Hours: Implement clear metrics for success that track performance based on results and outcomes, rather than hours spent working.
3. Family Life: Offer parental leave, childcare support, and flexible schedules that allow staff to balance work with family responsibilities.
4. Promote a Healthy Work Culture: Encourage a culture where taking breaks, using vacation time, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is the norm. Burnt-out employees are far less productive in the long run.

Flexibility

Companies that offer REAL flexibility and give employees the freedom to manage their time will see better results across the board. A more empowered workforce is a more engaged and productive one. Not only does this lead to greater efficiency, but it also breeds loyalty and better staff retention - something all businesses grapple with.

For You

Time, after all, is the only currency you can’t track—but you can certainly spend it more wisely.

For me, I set some pretty clear goals when I started my business. One of which was never sacrificing time with my family. I had spent far too long not being present, missing bedtimes and the little things that when I look back in my older age, I will be glad I was there for. I certainly will not look back and say 'Man, I really enjoyed those weekly sales meetings, those were the days'...In reality they were often a waste of time! (My Time).

Does that mean I don't take my job seriously, or I lack commitment to my clients, absolutely NOT. I work tirelessly to deliver for the businesses that work with me, I just set very clear time focused goals, work efficiently, and have open dialogue at all times. I don't waste my time on activities that don't produce results.

I also work with those that share my values. Those businesses, candidates & clients - get it.

Whatever success is for you, financial, time with family, more flexibility - you can get it.

You don't need to be a time slave for a business that views success as attendance.

Work for those that demand results but give you the trust to deliver it.

Then it's down to you to deliver.

Focus on maximising the tasks that get you there and cut out the rest, your life and career are too short to waste.

Work for those businesses that pay you to deliver results, not just occupy a space in their office!!

Whatever you deem success I wish you all the best in achieving it!

*If you found this article interesting, informative, thought provoking or even just worth the read, please 'comment', 'like' and 'share' it is appreciated.

Best

Richard