There is danger in comparing ourselves to others. Sometimes it’s motivating, but other times it’s destructive. We waste precious energy when we focus on other people, so we are implored to compete against ourselves. However, what we really can’t avoid is competing against time.
Here are three reasons why time is our greatest competition and how to take it on:
- Setting the Alarm
According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in three Americans snoozed their alarm at least three times each morning. Many of us are struggling to get out of bed in the morning. However, our biological responses to our alarm clocks can affect how well we function at work.
- The Importance of Setting Deadlines
Research shows 80% of people fail their New Year’s resolutions by mid-February. To avoid this pitfall, make your New Year resolutions specific and measurable. Deadlines give us a sense of urgency. We will put things off and procrastinate when there is no urgency. Goals without a deadline is not a goal at all. It is merely a wish.
- Increasing Sense of Urgency
People often interpret an extended deadline as permission to delay. But as the deadline gets closer, the sense of urgency increases. Our competition against time will reach its peak when the deadline is here. By developing patterns of urgent behavior, you improve productivity and become more efficient in completing tasks.
Every professional goes through different stresses when they are competing against time. Reliable professionals have a knack for handling pressure properly. They seem to be unfazed when facing a difficult situation. In contrast, other professionals will falter in stressful circumstances.
Research suggests that business and political leaders who carry more responsibility experience lower distress levels than those who carry less responsibility because they’ve mastered how to manage their time and prioritize tasks. These leaders also don’t back down from challenges because they have no problem using what they’ve learned from their past experiences.
If you compete against time, you are competing against yourself, which means you’re improving yourself. The tricky part of competing against time is it can quickly leave you in endless circles of frustration. But with the right mindset and strategies, you can get where you want to be. Make sure to enjoy the ride.