“It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?” — Henry David Thoreau
Every leader I know says the same thing:
“There just aren’t enough hours in the day.”
Maybe.
But after decades of leading teams, facilitating strategic planning sessions, producing major events, and riding thousands of miles across America, I’ve come to believe something different.
The greatest challenge isn’t a lack of time. It’s a lack of intentionality.
One lesson motorcycling teaches quickly is this:
Speed isn’t the objective. Progress is.
I’ve watched riders hurry from one destination to the next, only to miss the very experience they came for.
Organizations do the same thing.
- Meetings.
- Emails.
- Deadlines.
- Calendars packed from sunrise to sunset.
Busy? Absolutely. Moving the organization forward? Not always.
Leadership isn’t measured by activity. It’s measured by impact.
Time is the one resource every leader receives equally. Twenty-four hours.
The difference is how we choose to invest them.
- Every “yes” is also a “no.”
- Every unnecessary meeting takes time away from coaching someone.
- Every distraction delays meaningful progress.
The best leaders don’t simply manage their calendars. They protect their priorities.
During my Full-Throttle Leadership Ride around the perimeter of the United States, I learned that every stop costs more than fuel. It costs momentum.
Not every roadside attraction deserved my attention. Neither does every issue that lands on a leader’s desk.
Great leaders know what requires their involvement and what doesn’t.
One question has changed the way I think about leadership:
“What can only I do today?”
- If someone else can handle it, empower them.
- If it doesn’t move the mission forward, question whether it belongs on your calendar.
The most effective leaders spend less time reacting and more time creating clarity, developing people, and thinking strategically.
People never remember how busy their leaders were. They always remember how present they were.
- Do you listen?
- Do you empower?
- Do you encourage?
- Do you make them better?
At the end of a motorcycle ride, you don’t remember every mile. You remember the conversations, the people, and the unexpected moments that changed the ride and made it meaningful.
Leadership is no different. Your legacy will be measured by how you invested your time in others.
Four Ways Leaders Make Better Use of Their Time
- Focus on what only you can do. Delegate the rest.
- Protect time to think. Great decisions require space before action.
- Invest in people before projects. Strong teams multiply your effectiveness.
- Leave margin. The best leaders don’t schedule every minute with a list of “to-do’s.” They leave room to support and help the people they serve.
Question of the Month
If someone reviewed your calendar from the past 30 days, would it reveal your priorities or merely your obligations?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Until next month: Lead intentionally. Invest wisely. Go Full-Throttle.
