Last week, I declined three “pick your brain” coffee meetings and two “quick calls” with strangers from LinkedIn. A few years ago, this would have made me feel guilty.
But here’s the thing – I finally learned an expensive lesson about time after years of giving it away freely: Time isn’t just money. It’s the only truly finite currency we have in life.
Think about that for a second.
You can always make more money. You can always build new relationships. You can always create new opportunities. But you can never make more time.
So today, I want to share a framework that helped me transform how I think about and protect my time. Because if you’re giving away your time without getting anything valuable in return, you’re literally throwing away your most precious asset.
Let’s dive in.
The Real Cost of “Just 30 Minutes”
When someone asks for “just 30 minutes” of your time, they’re actually asking for much more. Here’s what that meeting really costs you:
- 15 minutes of prep and context switching before
- 30 minutes of actual meeting time
- 15 minutes to get back into focus afterward
- The mental energy spent thinking about it beforehand
- The opportunity cost of what else you could have done
That “quick coffee” just ate up an hour of your peak productivity time. And if you’re doing this several times a week? You’re hemorrhaging your most valuable asset.
The Value Exchange Principle
Here’s a mindset shift that changed everything for me: Every minute of your time should return something tangible of equal or greater value.
That value could be:
- Financial compensation
- Strategic relationships
- Knowledge or skills
- Meaningful experiences
- Personal growth
- Future opportunities
But notice what’s missing from this list? “Being nice” or “not wanting to seem rude” aren’t forms of value. They’re excuses we use to avoid protecting our time.
Your New Time Protection Framework
Here’s a simple three-step framework I use to evaluate time requests:
- Immediate Value Check Ask yourself: “What specific, tangible value will I receive from this time investment?” If you can’t identify something concrete, that’s your first red flag.
- ROI Assessment Calculate the true time cost (including prep and recovery) and compare it to the potential return. Be brutally honest here.
- Opportunity Cost Analysis Consider what else you could do with that time. Could you:
- Work on your business?
- Create content?
- Spend time with family?
- Rest and recharge?
The Power of a “Not Now” Response
When you start protecting your time, you’ll need to say “no” more often. But “no” doesn’t have to mean “never.” Here’s a template I use:
“Thanks for thinking of me! I’m currently focused on [specific priority] and being very protective of my calendar. I can’t commit to a meeting right now, but I’d be happy to [alternative suggestion that protects your time].”
The Reciprocity Rule
Now, here’s the flip side: When someone does give you their time – especially if they’re paying you for it – you owe them your absolute best effort.
This means:
- Being fully present
- Coming prepared
- Delivering concrete value
- Following through on commitments
Because just like your time is valuable, so is theirs.
The Bottom Line
Your time is your most precious and finite resource. It’s not just okay to protect it – it’s essential for your success and wellbeing.
Start treating your time like the valuable currency it is. Be intentional about where you spend it. And always ensure you’re getting something meaningful in return.
That’s all for this week.
Now go protect your time.
P.S. Want me to show you my productivity strategies that help you make the most of your time? Book me at https://book.drdegnan.com. I’ll show you exactly how I structure my day to maximize output while working fewer hours.
See you next Saturday!
