Here’s a message you’ve read before. I write it again with
a different twist. Maybe this time you will pay more attention to it. It’s
about how you choose to spend your time.

Whether you’re a partner or an aspiring partner, you make
choices about what you do and don’t do. As you progress in your career, you have
to adjust your activities to meet the level of responsibility for the position.
Choosing to hold on to what you used to do will only diminish your performance.
Here’s a way to take your time seriously.

Emily Dickinson wrote, “Forever is composed of nows.” Because
of that, the activity you perform NOW deserves your full attention. In other
words, make your NOWs count for something by focusing on your choices by asking
these questions:

1. Why am I doing this now? Is it important? Is what I’m
doing the best use of my NOW time?

2. What is NOT getting done? If I choose one thing, I’m saying
“No” to all the other things that need to be done. Is that okay with me?

3. Could someone else be doing it instead of me? Just
because it’s important doesn’t mean I’m the one to do it.

Remember this: you have only one chance at NOW time. It
is valuable time, yet you often squander it as if it’s nothing. You go from one
task to another, whatever is next in your in-box or demands your immediate
attention. What a waste.

Fill your NOW with worthy and important activity. You
will only do that if you are intentional-you do it on purpose. Start by asking
the questions above.

When you get done reading this, you will do something
else. It’s your first opportunity to make that NOW count. Do it—NOW.