Time: Invest and balance Published Sept. 4, 2008 By Maj. Jeremy Harmon 60th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Time is a valuable resource and one that cannot be renewed. As our Air Force shrinks, more demands are placed on each individual. This fallout causes us to closely prioritize how we use our allotted time. There are many philosophies for managing time and prioritizing work, but with our non-stop schedules these methods are difficult to practice. As a new commander, I regularly catch myself getting consumed with my new responsibilities and the never-ending list of 'to do's. The paperwork, programs and people can seize all available time and leave little for other priorities. Therefore, decisions about how to use time must be made. Each of our priorities requires the appropriate weight to stable our hectic lives. Betsy Jacobson, a former vice president for the J. P. Morgan Investment Management company verbalized this belief, "Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices." To me, this means doing the things that will develop people, strengthen an organization, inspire family growth, and better myself mentally, physically and professionally. "The key is in not spending time, but in investing it." This perspective from Steven Covey highlights the importance of not just being busy but using our time to provide meaning to our lives. A new commander has a high desire to exhaust major efforts towards their new position due to the short two years he or she is given. So the drive and focus tends to be towards the unit and making it better for the Air Force and its people. And while those intentions are noble and well placed, the home front can sometimes become an afterthought. The family, however, also requires its own level of attention and investment. To ensure you are spending your time effectively, I suggest matching your time to your goals. My time is primarily invested in my work, my family and myself. At work, I'm sensitive to how I manage my time. I use a rule of people, paper, and e-mail. First, I work direct personnel issues, second any paperwork, and last I will process E-mail. Another tool I use is my calendar. To help ensure my time is properly focused, I schedule events which are in line with my objectives thus increasing the likelihood they will be accomplished. The second side to this balance is my family time. The job of a commander is very demanding, but the importance of family is absolute. That is, don't sacrifice your family for the job because the family will still be there when the job is behind you. I manage this by involving the family into unit morale events, leaving work at a set time everyday and carving time out of weekends to focus on family-oriented events. Thirdly, I invest time in myself both physically and mentally by primarily taking time from my work schedule and using the fitness center. As a commander, it's been the hardest event to find time for. However, it is an excellent opportunity to relieve stress and reflect. When I'm not behind my desk I tend to consider my strategic goals and better focus attention. This time invested allows me to step back from the trees and see the bigger picture of where I'm going and also provides for a healthy lifestyle. In the end this balance of time ensures I can invest properly in my squadron, my family and myself.