The Hidden Skill That Pays You for Your Time

A few weeks ago, we officially celebrated four generations of skiing! My grandchildren, Henry (8) and James (6), became skiers.

It got me thinking about building skills that last. My dad learned to ski in his late forties and became one of the most elegant skiers on the slopes. His enthusiasm for learning new things was contagious. He taught every one of us, in a step-by-step, methodical way, how to create graceful S-turns and go into a tuck to pick up speed on the flats.

I can remember his coaching like it was yesterday. What a joy it was to pass those tips on to my children—and now their children—and watch as it all clicked for them.

The interesting part about teaching is that new skills lead to new thrills. It made me think about the role we play as leaders—not just in learning new skills, but in teaching the ones that matter most.  

This week, a client emailed me about a breakthrough she had after our coaching session in the way she was spending her time. She is a highly productive, one-woman show. With more tasks than time, she did not have the luxury of wasting a minute.

I asked her how she approached her list when it came to protecting revenue.

She admitted she had never really thought about it.

I shared this simple question that helps me set boundaries on my time:

Does what I am doing protect revenue first and foremost? Does it earn, generate, or multiply revenue?

Does the extra hour I am going to spend polishing, researching, or perfecting my work put me ahead or behind in creating more customers? So often, we do work that no one has asked us for—it simply satisfies our own need to be perfect or prepared. (Guilty as I polish this newsletter!)

Are you being paid for your time?

This one filter is enough to help me move on to what truly matters.

My client shared, “I haven’t made revenue a priority—and that’s why I feel like the hamster on the wheel.”

There are other filters such as leveraging time, eliminating unnecessary distractions, and delegation. Yet the most important skill by far is to identify and protect revenue-generating activities.

This is the skill that creates more travel adventures, more meaningful memories, and more thrills for you and those you serve.

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe