Time Management vs. Attention Management: What’s the Difference?

When you think about it, “time management” is sort of an odd phrase. Time always marches forward, and we all have the same number of hours in each day. You can control how you use those hours, but ultimately, time isn’t something we can truly harness.

That’s why a number of leaders and productivity experts have shifted their focus to a new concept — attention management. But what’s the difference between these two concepts, and how might attention management impact your own work life?

What is Time Management?

First, a couple of definitions are in order.

When we talk about time management, we’re talking about your ability to plan out your day, your week, and your month, scheduling your time, prioritizing your responsibilities, and being as productive as possible. Again, you can’t actually create more time for yourself; time management merely seeks to be a responsible steward of the time you’ve been given.

What is Attention Management?

Attention management, on the other hand, is all about examining the amount of attention you give to certain tasks or concerns. The point of attention management is to ensure that you’re focusing on the things that really matter — things that…