Do you want more?

Don't bother to read this if you are getting enough, and if it is good quality.

I'm talking about time, and of course you knew that, didn't you?

No-one has enough time, and everyone desperately wants more.

Time has become a luxury item for most people and it is something they really want - more than money, fast cars or a lifetime's supply of champagne and chocolate!

When was the last time you had enough time - to create some goals for the year, to spend on developing your team, to come up with brilliant ideas, or even just to listen - to others and to yourself?

Time is a key component of good leadership. A good leader makes time to plan for the future, inspire others, communicate company values, listen to what staff think and feel and act on that information, see the bigger picture, set a good example, and have fun.

A common complaint within most companies, at almost all levels of seniority, is that no-one makes time to listen, to train and mentor, or carry out regular assessments and career planning.

People also feel unable to take on more stretching challenges because they are too busy and bogged down with routine stuff, or duplication, or working with poor systems. None of this is motivating for individuals and it certainly isn't good for business.

How useful would it be if you had more time?

Here are 3 tips to get you started:nnn· MEETINGS. Before agreeing to go to a meeting, ask yourself if your presence is REALLY necessary (no egos allowed while you are asking this). If it isn't, don't go. More than 50% of meetings can be carried out over the `phone, saving travel and money as well as time (and so good for your carbon footprint!)nn· EMAIL OVERLOAD. When you go on holiday, leave an auto-responser message telling people you will not be reading any emails left during your absence, so anything important needs to be re-sent after your return. This takes courage but is remarkably effective!nn· TRAIN YOURSELF. One very real barrier to being in control of your life is your ability to defend your time and stand up for your priorities. Work with a coach on honing your skills of prioritising and saying no, especially to people putting unnecessary meetings in your diary.

Now all you have to decide is how to use all that extra time you are going to create!