Time is one of the most fundamental, yet underutilised tools in business. In your role, you will be constantly navigating the interplay of past, present and future. This concept of the ‘timeline’ – a line of time stretching behind and ahead of us – offers a powerful framework for planning, decision-making and achieving meaningful goals.
Understanding Timelines
Every individual and organisation has a timeline. In our minds, we travel up and down this timeline on a daily basis. We revisit the past through memories; we live in the present; and we imagine the future. For example, when planning a journey, you mentally map the steps ahead, from buying tickets to anticipating the journey’s logistics. This is something we all do instinctively.
However, in a professional context, timelines are more than a mental construct. They are a strategic tool. By understanding and managing timelines, we can avoid the traps of being weighed down by past baggage or paralysed by the uncertainty of the future.
The Museum of the Past
Your past experiences, both personal and professional, shape who you are and how you approach challenges. However dwelling on past mistakes or regrets can impede your progress. Think of your past as a museum.
The exhibits represent your experiences. Some are prominently displayed – the ones you cherish and revisit frequently, for free, at any time.
Others are stored away in dusty archives. These might be lessons learned that are no longer relevant to your daily focus; or memories that you don’t want to revisit regularly.
By leaving the events of the past in your museum, you can visit them when you need to, to draw lessons or insights. But because they are stored safely in the museum, which has free entry, you don’t need to carry them around as emotional baggage.
Living in the Present
When I was at senior school, our head teacher read this ancient Sanskrit poem to us, every week:
Look To This Day
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well-lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day;
Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!
I have always remembered this poem – especially the highlighted lines. They show us the importance of living in the present. By focusing on today’s decisions and actions, you create a foundation for a fulfilling past and a hopeful future. For you, this might mean aligning your daily actions with strategic objectives, making thoughtful decisions and remaining agile in response to new information.
Imagining Your Future
Your future is a blank page, waiting for you to script it. While the specifics may be uncertain, you have the power to set intentions and priorities. In business, this often takes the form of goal setting, strategic planning and envisioning long-term success.
Key strategies include:
• Breaking down long-term goals into manageable steps. For instance, a five-year plan might include quarterly and annual milestones.
• Staying flexible. Life is unpredictable, and the ability to adapt plans ensures continued progress.
• Regularly reviewing progress to ensure alignment with overarching goals. This iterative process keeps us on track and responsive to changes.
Practical Applications of Timelines
Timelines are a practical tool that can be applied in various business contexts:
1. Project Planning: Every project has a past (generating ideas, research), a present (execution) and a future (completion and impact). Understanding this timeline ensures thorough preparation and follow-through.
2. Meeting Management: Consider the timeline of every meeting: preparation beforehand, the meeting itself and follow-up actions afterward. Allocating time for these stages makes sure that meetings are productive and impactful.
3. Career Development: Reflecting on your professional journey (past), aligning your current actions with your goals (present) and envisioning your desired trajectory (future) can lead to intentional and rewarding career growth.
Using Timelines in Coaching
As a coach, I often guide my clients through exercises that use the timeline concept. One impactful activity involves imagining yourself in the distant future, reflecting on your life and achievements. This ‘rocking chair’ exercise helps identify what truly matters, which can inform decisions made now.
Final Thoughts
In January 2022 I wrote an article about making the most of your time, which you can read here.
Timelines are not a tool for time management; they are a framework for living with purpose. By understanding the interplay of past, present and future, you can extract valuable lessons from the past without being weighed down by it, make intentional choices today that align with your goals and imagine a future that excites and inspires you.
Whether you are steering your organisation through a major transformation, managing your career, or pursuing personal growth, the timeline framework can provide you with clarity and direction.
If you’re intrigued by the concept of personal timelines and would like to explore how managing your past, present and future can benefit you in your personal or professional life, now’s the time for action. I can offer you the insights and tools needed to script your life journey consciously. Feel free to reach out to me, for a chat where we can start to explore your timeline, to make sure you’re aligning your present actions with your future goals.
Call me on 07766 004964, click here to email me or visit my online diary here.
