My wife and I attended a seminar Friday called EntreLeadership. It was a simulcast featuring best selling author and radio host Dave Ramsey. It was an all day seminar during an extremely busy week…so it was a real investment of our time. As is nearly always the case with these events, I stress and struggle as the event draws near over whether or not I have “time” to do this. I am sure you have had the same internal dialogue.

But each time I realize once I attend that I need to Make Time for these opportunities for growth.

In nearly any decent seminar you can get at least a couple ideas you can utilize to improve your life or your business. Sometimes (often even) it is something you already “know” but are not “doing.” It serves as a reminder you need to get back to this activity if you want to be successful.

For example, at one point Dave discussed the 4 quadrants of our time. Stephen Covey addresses this concept in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I have read it and even gone through a class of 7 Habits…but it was good to hear again.

The concept is that there are 4 quadrants of activities in life, Urgent and Important (crisis or emergency), Important but Not Urgent (preparation, planning, etc), Urgent but Not Important (phone calls, emails, someone else’s crises) and Not Urgent and Not Important (TV, Facebook, etc). We all know that we need to spend time in Quadrant 1. We all know we shouldn’t spend so much time in Quadrant 4. The problem is many of us get stuck in Quadrant 3 and don’t spend enough time in Quadrant 2! Follow that?

The lesson here is you have to Make Time to do the preparation, planning and pro-active work of Quadrant 2. Give yourself time to learn. These moments will help you be a more successful leader, spouse, and friend.