The key is in not spending time, but in investing it. ~Stephen Covey

It’s mid-December, less than three weeks before we ring in the new year. Planners and resolution-makers are sharpening their pencils, preparing to list what they hope to do, achieve, and accomplish in 2017. Some may be asking, “How should I spend my time next year”? But is that the right question?

Back in 2006, I bought a small lake cottage in Michigan. I wanted to spend time outside of the city, be close to nature, and sleep peacefully in the quiet darkness that can’t be found in urban surroundings. For nine years I loved my cottage. I was there frequently, at least every three weeks, many times every other week. I soaked up the sounds of birds in the early morning and the earthy smell of wood burning fireplaces as I walked around the lake in the evening.

After nine years, I discovered I was becoming disinterested, and even frustrated with the need to make the two-hour drive over to my cottage to take care of basic necessities. At first I thought maybe it was the financial cost of maintaining the cottage that was bothering me. After looking at my budget, I realized that the cost of maintenance was really minimal in the grand scheme of things. So why, after nine years, did it feel unsettling?

Then I finally realized, it wasn’t the cost, it was my time. For nine years I viewed it as spending time at my cottage, time I enjoyed. But something shifted, and I was now viewing my time as an investment. When we spend money, it’s gone. When we investment money, we hope for something more in return. It’s really not any different with our time. I wanted a greater return on my time.

How does this relate to leadership? I believe that exceptional leaders are constantly looking for ways to invest their time, not spend their time. Look at any leader’s calendar, and you’ll see if they are a “spender” or an “investor.” Things get on an investor’s calendar because they are asking investment questions:

• What is the best use of my time, right now?
• In what way can I uniquely contribute to the organization that others can’t?
• What could I do that would make a significant impact on our organizational goals?
• What will I do this week that will move our mission and goals forward?
• Who do I need to be developing or coaching?
• How will I build more leaders?

Could your organization benefit from more of its leaders investing their time instead of spending their time? Take advantage of the commencement of a new year and begin to schedule your time as if it’s an investment.