Balancing thought leadership duties and daily tasks is challenging. How can you effectively manage your time?

I would say the key is discipline, rather than prioritising per se. When I've decided on a territory to write or talk about, I will set myself a time frame to intermittently gather ideas. And I'll make short notes between meetings and tasks. Then, when I'm ready with a long-list of notes and thoughts I will set aside a time period in my diary to structure the thoughts and write a paper or a script. In this sense, I prioritise this time, but I don't prioritise writing as a "task" amongst others. My advice is to prioritise when you are ready to use the time wisely, and that is the discipline.

According to a McKinsey study, professionals spend only 39% of their workweek on role-specific tasks. In my experience, applying the Pareto Principle can help leaders focus on the vital 20% of activities that yield 80% of results, ensuring time is invested in high-impact work that drives both thought leadership and operational excellence. To effectively prioritize try these steps 1. List all tasks and responsibilities 2. Identify which tasks align most closely with key goals and objectives 3. Assess the potential impact of each task 4. Rank tasks based on their importance and urgency 5. Allocate dedicated time blocks for high-priority activities 6. Regularly review and adjust priorities as needed

Find people who are genuinely curious about what you are doing. They want to learn about it and share with others. Internally first, then externally. Eventually a third party will pick it up. Get in the habit of asking, "Who should I talk to next?" Nurture the right balance of story telling and education. Then you will have a message rather than a sales pitch or humble brag.

In my experience most leaders prioritize their schedule. This makes it even more challenging to stay organized and get things done. Instead of prioritizing your schedule, schedule your priorities. Align your daily tasks with your values, your principles and your goals. You will find yourself getting the most important things done faster. Having deeply aligned actions with these three things will boost your productivity by at least 30%.

Finding a balance between your delivery and recuperation centers largely around control over time. Having a prority filter to push forward what has to take front seat, and push back what needs to go back is a great way to start.

I used to think I could multitask, even that I was good at it. I took a course in a reading group for the book The ONE Thing by Gary Keller. We were asked to write down the numbers from 1-26 and timed it. Then we wrote the letters of the alphabet and timed it. Then we were asked to write a letter, then the corresponding number, and so on. The final task took far longer than the other two combined. The conclusion - we are only really good at doing one thing at a time. Now, I block time to do just one thing. I do my best to ignore email in those times. I have been more productive and happier using time blocking. It's now my favourite productivity tool. Time blocking, especially with early morning blocks, helped me finish my first book.

Balancing thought leadership and daily tasks is challenging, but time blocking can help. By dedicating specific time slots for each responsibility, you create a structured schedule that ensures focus and productivity. Prioritize high-impact activities, allocate uninterrupted blocks for deep work, and include breaks to avoid burnout. This disciplined approach enhances efficiency, enabling you to manage both strategic thinking and routine tasks effectively.

Time blocking when used properly, is a great strategy for maximizing productivity and taking full advantage of your schedule. To really get the best results, make sure your time blocking period is filled with "deep work". Deep work is a state of peak concentration that lets you learn hard things and create quality work quickly. Focused time blocks that contain deep work will not only keep you organized but can really take you to the next level personally and professionally as a leader.

Delegation is essential to growing as a thought leaders and having more time to engage in activities that help you expand your brand. Be very strategic about how you delegate and who you relinquish those responsibilities to. Nothing is worse than delegated an important task to someone who is not qualified or not committed to doing the work.

By periodically assessing your schedule, priorities, and progress, you can adjust your plans to stay aligned with your goals. Weekly or monthly reviews help identify inefficiencies, celebrate achievements, and refocus on high-impact activities. This reflective practice ensures continuous improvement and better time management, enabling you to handle both strategic and routine tasks effectively.

We can't talk about organisation and balance without mentioning the myriad of modern AI-driven tools. Tools that can help prioritise tasks, manage schedules, and automate routine activities, allowing you to focus on high-impact leadership roles. For instance, AI-powered calendar apps can optimise meeting times, ensuring minimal disruption to your core work. Task management platforms with AI integration can offer smart reminders and suggest optimal times for task completion based on your work habits. Additionally, AI can assist in content creation and curation, enabling you to maintain a consistent thought leadership presence without sacrificing the quality of your daily tasks.

Self care is more than spa days, relaxing on a beach or doing yoga. It's about resting your mind and also removing limiting beliefs. Sometimes its about detoxing your mind and restoring your mental and emotional health. Strains on your mental and emotional health can make you unproductive as a thought leader so safeguarding your internal world should be top priority.