“I don’t have time.”
How often do you say that to yourself about building your sportscasting career?
- I’d love to assemble a fabulous application for that job, but I don’t have time.
- I’d love to freshen up my demo but I don’t have time.
- I’d love to write a great cover letter but I don’t have time.
- I’d love to self-critique my work but I don’t have time.
- I’d love to study other sportscasters but I don’t have time.
168 hours in a week is a lot. “I don’t have time” really means “this isn’t a high enough priority for me.”
Other than your health and relationships, what is a higher priority than your career?
If you sincerely want to create more time for building your sportscasting career, here are some simple suggestions with big payoffs:
1. Sleep less
Wake up 15 minutes earlier and go to bed 15 minutes later. You’ll have another 3-1/2 productive hours each week.
2. Prioritize
What’s more helpful to your career – Game of Thrones, Xbox, going out Saturday night, or updating your demo?
Lou Holtz uses the acronym W.I.N. to prioritize his life – What’s Important Now?
3. Keep a To-Do list
If your destination is more free time, your daily To Do list is your road map for getting there.
4. Work without interruption
It’s counterproductive to stop your workflow every ten minutes to answer the latest text or email. Instead, set aside two or three blocks of time each day and only answer messages then.
At the very least, disregard messages until you are finished with your current task. You’ll find it easier and faster to write your cover letter and choose new stuff for your demo.
If you need to, turn off your phone, incoming notifications, or even your internet access to stay focused.
5. Consolidate trips
When running errands, you’ll save considerable time by merging two trips into one.
Most sportscasters plan to be great. However, a plan without action is only a dream. By following these simple suggestions, you’ll create the time necessary for turning your plans into action.