Overcoming Poor Time Management: From Resistance to Results

QUESTION: I believe there are a few things holding me back from hitting my goals.  We talked about the need for more recruiting presentations, but the biggest issue is sticking to my plan.  I spend the time planning and use a great data miner who finds good candidates, but the last step of contacting them does not happen.  It is all there in front of me, but I fail to follow my plan.  Part of the reason is bad time management.  So feel free to pick a litany of my problems.  I look forward to hearing your pearls of wisdom. Pete, Maine

Answer: Tackling the Real Roadblock—Resistance, Not Time Management

Pete, let’s cut to the chase. Your issue isn’t “bad time management.” It’s resistance. It’s a lack of directed desire, avoidance, and an underlying reluctance to confront what truly holds you back.

But let me be clear: this isn’t unique to you. It’s a challenge all of us face at some level. Here’s why—and how you can overcome it.

You’re Disciplined—But to Existing Bad Habits

When someone says, “I’m not disciplined,” what they’re really saying is, “I’m disciplined to an existing set of bad habits.” You’ve already proven you’re capable of discipline. You’ve planned effectively, used a great data miner, and set yourself up for success.

So why aren’t you following through? The root issue isn’t time management—it’s what you’re allowing to pull you off track.

Time Management Step 1: Recognize and Celebrate Progress

See if you said you had trouble with recruiting presentations because you did not have the candidates, then I would recommend the research which you have already done and it sounds like you have done a great job of that.  So first, seriously, congratulate yourself for that because you have removed one obstacle.

What we have really done now is we are moving forward to uncover the greatest obstacle in our own business, which is usually us. Now, the focus shifts to the next challenge: execution. This step uncovers what may be the biggest obstacle in business—ourselves.

Time Management Step 2: Link Your Goals to Actionable Outcomes

Every recruiting presentation should directly tie back to the outcomes you desire. This connection is critical for motivation.

Motivation comes down to two drivers:

1. Pursuit of pleasure.
2. Avoidance of pain.

Avoidance of pain is usually a far greater motivator than pursuit of pleasure.  When you come up with a list of goals and you do not hit the activity targets to get to those goals, ask yourself:

1. Which of your goals are you willing to abandon if you don’t take action?
2. Which outcomes are you okay with never achieving?

The moment you realize you’re unwilling to let go of your goals, you create a powerful commitment to follow through.

Time Management Step 3: Stop Justifying Distractions

The way one justifies this typically is they say to themselves, well, I was closing a candidate, my mother got sick, or I got a hangnail.  I am not even saying your mother did not get sick.  You are not saying that either.  But we come up with all these reasons.

It was just tax day a couple days ago.  I had to take care of my taxes.

At 3:00 in the afternoon?

Well, yes, because my accountant needed them because we are against the filing deadline.

Oh, so you procrastinated your taxes which had this whole litany of effect, and I would even argue that at some subconscious level that was by design because as long we are doing something that is productive in our life we can say, well, I got distracted by it.

No.  Nothing distracts you. They’re excuses in disguise. The truth is, distractions don’t happen to us—we invite them. Why? Because distractions help us avoid the discomfort of facing resistance. The real issue is resistance to completing the work.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

This is something I have really begun studying in the 6 years for my own personal development.  I always like studying this because I am as human as the rest of you and I am as messed up as all of you in some certain areas of my life. 

Resistance often stems from deeply ingrained beliefs—stories we’ve internalized over time.

Let me share a personal example. My beliefs around money were heavily influenced by my grandparents, who grew up during the Great Depression. One of them watched her parents lose everything they had saved, even though it was not a lot, they lost two homes, rental property, and it was basically all their personal wealth at the time was evaporated in one afternoon and it made my grandmother very sensitive to saving, saving, saving, saving, saving. While practical, these beliefs were passed to me and became limiting over time, stifling my creativity and productivity.

I didn’t fully realize how much these stories shaped my behavior until much later in life. Once I rewrote those narratives, I got better at investing in myself, and I unlocked new levels of growth and freedom.

Ask yourself:

• What stories are you telling yourself about success, money, or productivity?
• Were you taught that money is limited or that success comes at a cost?
• Are those beliefs serving you—or holding you back?

Time Management for Recruiters: The Tactical Fix

Let’s address time management, specifically for Recruiters and Recruiting Firm Owners. Here’s a straightforward strategy:

• Block out a dedicated time for recruiting presentations.
• For example, set aside 1:15 PM to 3:00 PM every day, with a 15-minute break.
• During this time, eliminate all distractions—nothing, nothing, other than call in candidate on a debrief would be a distraction from that. No bookkeeping, no family tasks, no “urgent” errands.

But here’s the caveat: time management won’t work if resistance is still present. You’ll need to address the beliefs and habits that are sabotaging your progress.

Moving Forward: Actionable Steps

Here’s how to tackle your challenges head-on:

1. Examine Your Beliefs: Reflect on the stories you’ve been telling yourself about success and productivity.
2. Commit to Your Goals: Identify which goals you refuse to abandon and tie your daily actions to those outcomes.
3. Implement Time Blocking: Create a dedicated block of time for recruiting presentations and protect it fiercely.
4. Eliminate Excuses: Recognize distractions for what they are—self-imposed resistance—and refuse to let them derail you.

Probably more than you wanted, but the reason I wanted to spend so much time there is Pete, your problem is everybody’s problem.  It is veiled under the terms of distractions, poor time management, and poor planning.  All those are rooted in the absence of clear desire, clear commitment to what one desires, or avoiding thinking about what one desires.  That is why stuff does not get done.

Conclusion: It’s Time to Break Through

You have everything you need to succeed. You’ve already removed many obstacles. Now, the final step depends entirely on you.

Ask yourself:

• What do I truly desire?
• Am I willing to do what’s necessary to achieve it?
• What beliefs or habits must I leave behind to get there?

Ready to take it one step further?

Join us for The Time Management for Recruiters 3 Day Challenge. On this live 3-Day Virtual Intensive, we’ll work with you to address the root causes of resistance and help you pair them with tactical solutions, you’ll not only hit your goals but also build the habits and mindset necessary for long-term success.