Time to invest
Time To Invest
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Category: Time Management
Estimated Time: 20–30 minutes
Group Size: 3 to 4 teams
Learning Objectives
- Understand the finite nature of daily time—86,400 seconds per day—and the importance of planning and prioritizing how to use it.
- Develop skills in collaborative time budgeting and decision-making.
- Recognize the impact of intentional time allocation on productivity, wellbeing, and goal achievement.
Materials Needed
- Printed blank checks with an amount of $86,400 each (representing seconds or minutes)
- Flip charts and markers for each team
- Optional: Calculators for precise budgeting
Setup & Instructions
- Divide participants into 3 or 4 teams.
- Give each team a blank $86,400 check and explain this represents the total seconds or minutes they have each day to spend wisely.
- Challenge each team to budget the entire amount on the check exactly, allocating time to daily activities such as work, rest, learning, family, and recreation. Each penny/second/minute must be assigned; any unallocated time or money is lost.
- Allow 15 minutes for planning.
- Have each team’s spokesperson present their time budget and rationale.
- Lead a group discussion focusing on priority differences, trade-offs, and the impact of deliberate planning.
Facilitation Tips
- Circulate early to prompt teams to think critically about how they assign value to activities.
- Use a visible timer to keep the exercise paced and simulate real-world time pressure.
- Encourage teams to discuss opportunity costs and how unspent time is wasted like unspent money.
- Prompt consideration of balance between work, rest, and personal growth.
Debrief & Discussion Questions
- How did you decide which activities deserved the most time?
- What surprised you about other teams’ priorities and allocations?
- How does this exercise relate to your daily use of time?
- What strategies can you take from this activity to improve your personal time management?
Alternative and Follow-Up Activities
Daily Budgeting of Time
- Participants map a typical workday in hourly blocks, categorizing each as planned/productive, reactive, or wasted time.
- Facilitate a group reflection on intentional vs. lost time in daily routines.
Investment vs. Expense Time Log
- Participants track tasks over a day or week classifying them as “Time Investments” (long-term value) or “Time Expenses” (low-value or reactive).
- Small groups discuss how to shift effort toward more time investments.
Visual Aids and Resources
- Use infographics or charts showing 86,400 seconds per day and example time allocations.
- Demonstrate popular time tracking/planning apps when technology permits.
Related Training Material Package
For comprehensive tools and exercises on mastering time management, explore our Time Management Skills Training Material Package.
Get Started Today
Use this engaging budgeting exercise to help your team realize the value of every second in their day. Equip them with practical skills for mindful planning and prioritization that enrich productivity and personal balance.
Download Time Management Training PackageTraining resources from TrainingCourseMaterial.com — instant download, fully editable, trainer-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should we treat $86,400 as seconds, minutes, or dollars?
Use 86,400 seconds (24 hours). For easier facilitation, switch to 1,440 minutes and round to 5–15 minute blocks. The metaphor works either way.
How do we compare team budgets fairly?
Score on alignment (goals), realism (sleep, commute), balance (work/rest), and buffer time. Tie-break with a 7‑day “micro‑budget” commitment.
Remote‑friendly adaptation?
Use a shared spreadsheet for the check, timed breakout rooms, and emoji voting on best budgets. Screenshare a running total.
What if teams can’t agree on priorities?
Time‑box debate, use MoSCoW or pairwise ranking, and assign a facilitator to finalize a version 1. Revisit after a week of data.
How do we turn insights into action?
Each participant drafts a personal “next week” budget with two time investments (e.g., learning, sleep) and one expense to cut.
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