Make every second count

Don’t waste my time

My phone buzzes and it’s my podcast producer:

"Hey, when you get a minute, give me a call."

So then I get on the call and they just want to move a meeting… While I'm glad no one’s in the hospital, now I’m picking out a headstone.

Typing out, "Can we talk about the Henderson invoice today?" costs you negative seconds, and by making me take a call that definitely could’ve been a text, you’ve done something egregious.

You’ve wasted my time.

Time is, by far, the most valuable asset we have. And all this made me think about a few of my billionaire friends and how one of the biggest levers they all pull is related to their time. Getting the most out of theirs, not wasting anyone else’s, and focusing it where it matters.

Here’s a few ways to maximize the time you have.

1. Never uni-task

As an owner, you won’t have a ton of free time anyway. So anything you can do to double-dip will pay dividends on your calendar’s whitespace.

A few ideas:

Get a portable red-light to use while you answer emails. There’s plenty out there, but make sure you’re getting one with the right light spectrum or your mitochondria won’t feel it. It’s got tons of benefits, and it’s an easy add-on for deep-work blocks.

Use a standing desk and walking pad during meetings. I know it’s not always possible to take meetings walking outside (this Texas heat is no joke), but this is the next best thing. This helps you get your steps in during long days, and keeps you sane.

Outsource your low-level tasks. I’m talking anything under a certain dollar amount/ hour. If it’s not worth your time, it gets pawned off. One of my biggest unlocks was just getting a cleaner a few times a week. That one change will win back hours of time spent tidying up and allows you to actually relax at home.

The more time you spend on high-level tasks, the more money you’ll make, and the more you’ll be able to enjoy yourself when you’re not working.

2. This could’ve been an email

Your time is valuable, and so is someone else’s.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone schedules a meeting for something that very easily could’ve been an email. Like, do we really need 30 minutes to talk about what font to use on the poster?

No Jeremy. We really don’t.

Before you book that slot on your leader’s calendar or ask for a meeting with your client, really ask yourself, “Could this be an email?”

I know this might seem a little silly, but most meetings aren’t useful for anything other than stroking a manager’s ego. Which is why at Contrarian Thinking, every meeting gets one owner, one decision, and one page of pre-reads sent 24 hours ahead, or it doesn't happen.

Try it for yourself.

By having an agenda, you'll cut the length in half and walk out with action items, instead of a follow-up meeting. And after wasting so much time in meetings myself, I built the Twenty-Hour-CEO-System that allows me to run all my companies in about 20 hours a week.

It looks a little like this:

So if you want to make more money in less time, start here.

It’s all in my new book, Own or Be Owned, and when you click the link above and go to the FREE launch event you’ll learn how to use the same systems I do in my own 9-figure businesses.

And since we’re talking about time, it took me over a decade to perfect it. But you can steal it in just a few hours. Which is a pretty good ROI, imo.

3. Sometimes, it’s worth the time

There are some things in life that are just going to take time.

Learning how to play the guitar, becoming fluent in Spanish, getting in shape, and building a successful business are all great examples of worthwhile achievements that take time.

Spending three hours a night binging Dutton Ranch probably isn’t a good use of the time you have…

(Even if Beth Dutton is my spirit animal.)

Having the wisdom to discern what is worth your time and what isn’t is one of the things that will make you a great owner. Not every fire needs you to put it out, and not every shiny object is worth chasing.

That’s why it’s so important to be able to maximize your own time, and avoid wasting others’. And it’s why I get so flippin’ annoyed when people waste my own precious moments.

Because in case you missed it, all my time is going to ONE place right now…

Book launch.

Own or Be Owned comes out September 18th and by the time we go live, I’ll have practiced my presentation well over 30 times, and edited over a thousand slides down to about 300.

Going through the speech alone takes more than 3 hours. That’s three hours I can’t be actively doing deals, making content, or just enjoying time with Chris.

See, when I want something to be good, I obsess over it, and I don't know if I've ever put more time and effort in behind the scenes.

And it's not just me.

I've invited a few of my favorite billionaire friends to give everyone who joins some of their best, business-building advice.

Why am I so excited about this?

Well, normally you’d have to pay thousands of dollars for just a few minutes in front of people like this…

But when you sign up for the book launch, you'll get to steal billionaire homework 100% free.

Just sayin'.

I promise, it’s not a waste of time.

-Codie

P.S. So I had a birthday this week…

And while I’d never have guessed I’d be turning 40, launching my second book, and HAVING A BABY all in the same year(!), I’m incredibly grateful. Sometimes you just have to take what God gives you and smile.

I love my life, my husband, my work, and my team. Speaking of which…

Someone thought it would be a good idea to hire a mariachi band to interrupt my content brainstorm session:

Lol.

I got to break open a piñata and eat cake, so I guess I’ll let the pranksters get away with it.

And while we got a good laugh from the band, we also got to do something a little more badass when we decided to do a photoshoot with fire and champagne.

Talk soon, and thanks for all the birthday wishes.

The information contained here is educational, may not be typical, and does not guarantee returns. Background, education, effort, and application will affect your experience and the profitability of any business. Individual results may vary.