Stop Managing Time Like a To-Do List. Start Managing It Like Capital.
I used to treat my calendar like a puzzle—every hour a piece to fit, every block of time filled to the brim.
If my days weren’t packed, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough.
But I learned the hard way:
Time ≠ Productivity.
Time = Capital.
The most successful leaders I know don’t just spend their time—they invest it. With purpose, clarity, and returns in mind.
That shift changed everything for me.
Now, I manage my time like a portfolio:
Stable Assets
These are the essentials—the recurring work that keeps the lights on. Weekly strategy calls. Core deliverables. Client check-ins. These aren’t flashy, but they provide the foundation.
High-Leverage Investments
This is where real growth happens:
Deepening strategic relationships
Long-form creative thinking
Visionary planning
Building internal systems
These hours don’t always feel productive in the moment, but over time, they compound—just like a smart investment.
Liquid Margin
I now leave space in my calendar—like holding cash in a portfolio. This "margin" gives me room to respond to opportunities, think clearly, or just rest and recover. It’s my buffer against burnout and the fuel for my best ideas.
Here’s the formula I now live by:
Time Invested → Return on Energy + Return on Money
(ROE + ROM)
If something consistently drains my energy and doesn’t pay financially?
That’s a bad investment.
If something lights me up and creates leverage or revenue?
I double down.
This mindset shift has reshaped how I run my business and how I help clients run theirs. Instead of chasing full calendars, I now chase meaningful returns—personally and professionally.
And it’s not just about efficiency. It’s about clarity.
→ What truly moves the needle?
→ What energizes you to do your best work?
→ Where are you getting the biggest ROI—not just in dollars, but in energy, creativity, and joy?
Most Visionary leaders I work with don’t need more ideas or better hacks. They need better filters—a system to decide where their time goes and what gets a yes.
Your calendar isn’t just a list of tasks.
It’s your most valuable investment strategy.
So, here’s the question I’ll leave you with:
What’s the highest-return use of your time right now?
I’d love to hear. I’m always refining my own time portfolio—and learning from sharp operators like you.
Always in your corner,
Z
