Forget time management. Discover why managing actions – not hours – is the real key to productivity for entrepreneurs.
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve probably heard it a thousand times:
“You just need to manage your time better.”
But here’s the truth: time management isn’t the key to productivity. In fact, the very idea of managing time may be what’s keeping you stuck, overwhelmed, and flirting with burnout.
In this article, we’ll explore why time can’t be managed, the game-changing shift to managing actions, and how you can use a left-to-right Important/Urgent flow and smart delegation to reclaim focus, momentum, and yes – even a sense of having more time.
The Big Lie: You Can’t Actually Manage Time
Time moves forward whether we like it or not. You can’t slow it down, save it up, or stash it away for later. Trying to manage time is like trying to hold water in your hands – no matter how tightly you grip, it slips through.
Entrepreneurs often fall into this trap:
- Colour-coding calendars
- Blocking every hour
- Setting endless reminders
- Reshuffling to-do lists
Despite all that effort, we end up feeling busier – not better.
Why? Because focusing on managing time keeps your mind locked on control instead of impact.
The Productivity Shift: Manage Actions, Not Hours
What you can manage is action.
Our brains crave the concrete and tangible. While “time management” is abstract, action management gives us something real to hold onto.
When you focus on the actions that matter most – both big-picture decisions and daily execution – you align your energy with meaningful progress.
The result?
- Less wasted effort.
- More momentum.
- A deeper sense of purpose, instead of panic.
Prioritize with Flow: The Left-to-Right Important/Urgent Matrix
Think of prioritization as a left-to-right movement – where tasks evolve in importance and urgency over time.
Here’s how it works:
- Tasks on the far left are often less important and can be safely ignored or eliminated.
- As tasks move rightward, they become more relevant and urgent.
- By the time they reach the top right, they’re highly important and demand your full attention.
| Left → Right Flow | Example |
| Not important → Discard if irrelevant | Old email newsletters, unnecessary meetings |
| Low importance + growing urgency → Delegate or automate | Admin tasks, routine follow-ups |
| Important but not yet urgent → Plan and schedule | Strategic planning, relationship building |
| Highly important + urgent → Act now | Major deadlines, client emergencies |
This model works because it’s flexible and respects the natural shift of priorities:
- You don’t treat every task as permanent.
- You allow things to rise or fall in importance.
- You focus on what matters most, right now.
The Secret Sauce: Delegation
Many entrepreneurs get stuck believing they must do everything themselves.
But delegation is a superpower.
When you delegate urgent but low-importance tasks, you free yourself to focus on the actions only you can take – the ones that actually move the business forward.
Practical delegation tips:
- Hire a virtual assistant for administrative tasks.
- Use automation tools for scheduling and reminders.
- Trust your team; avoid micromanaging.
The Payoff: More Energy, Less Overwhelm
When you stop chasing time and start managing actions:
- Productivity stops feeling like a grind.
- You feel more energised and focused.
- You feel like you have more time because you’re no longer buried in busywork.
Quick Action Plan to Get Started Today
- Write down all your current tasks.
- Place them on your left-to-right priority flow.
- Identify 2–3 tasks to delegate or automate this week.
- Focus on high-importance, high-urgency actions first.
Your business doesn’t need more tools, tricks, or endless to-do lists—it needs you dialed in on the right actions. Trust the process, show up consistently, and let results follow naturally. Productivity isn’t about time management; it’s about action management. When you commit to the right steps, the rest takes care of itself.
📞 To Start Managing Actions Today, Schedule Your 90-Minute Business Building Session Now.
