As a manager and executive coach, I’ve noticed a striking pattern: many professional challenges that appear complex often trace back to a single root cause—not setting aside time for ourselves. Whether it’s career stagnation, deteriorating team relationships, or skill development, the core issue frequently comes down to how we allocate our most precious resource: time.
Let me share two illustrative examples from my coaching practice (with names and details changed for privacy).
Sarah, a talented program manager, came to me feeling stuck in her career trajectory. “My boss doesn’t see my value,” she explained, frustrated. Through our discussions, we discovered that while Sarah excelled at execution, she rarely took time to document and communicate her achievements. When we dug deeper using the “five whys” technique, the real issue emerged: she wasn’t prioritizing time for strategic communication. “I’d rather do the work than talk about it,” she admitted. But this preference was holding her back from the recognition and advancement she deserved.
Then there’s Michael, a senior developer who was concerned about his technical skills becoming outdated. He felt overwhelmed by new technologies emerging in his field but “couldn’t find time” to learn them. As we explored further, it became clear that Michael was caught in a cycle of reactive work, never carving out space for professional development. His calendar was packed with meetings and immediate tasks, leaving no room for growth.
Both Sarah and Michael faced different symptoms of the same underlying problem: not treating time with themselves as sacred. How can we protect time for strategic thinking, skill development, and career growth in a world that constantly demands our immediate attention?
Here’s what I’ve found works.
First, treat planning time as a non-negotiable ritual. Just as you wouldn’t regularly cancel on your most important client, don’t cancel on yourself. Create a standing appointment, perhaps every Monday morning or Friday afternoon, and protect it fiercely. Turn off chat and email, and consider finding a different location than your normal work desk. The key is to make it automatic, like brushing your teeth. When something becomes a habit, it bypasses the daily decision-making process that often leads us to prioritize urgent tasks over important ones.
Second, reframe how you think about this time. Instead of seeing it as administrative overhead, view it as time spent with your most important stakeholder: yourself. Just as you would show up prepared and focused for a meeting with your CEO, show up for yourself with the same level of commitment and presence.
The immediate dopamine hit of responding to urgent requests will always be tempting. But by establishing these habits and reframing how we view planning time, we can create a sustainable practice that serves our long-term success.
And don’t worry if you fail one week, just try again. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. The most successful professionals aren’t necessarily the ones who work the longest hours—they’re the ones who consistently make time to step back, reflect, and strategically plan their next moves.