Time management for busy athletes

Time is the most valuable currency we have, and some days it feels impossible to fit everything in. When we're training, we might feel guilty for not being at work or with the family. When we're at work or spending time with family, we might feel guilty for not training.

Sound familiar?

The key difference between time and money is that time is a finite resource; we can't make more of it. No matter what, there are only 24 hours in a day.

That's why time management matters so much for athletes. Training consistently isn't just about having the physical energy to put in the work; it's also about having the structure in our lives to make that work possible.

Much of time management comes down to leading ourselves. We are both the boss and the employee when it comes to running the business of life. We're the one who decides what gets done, when it gets done, and how it gets done. While we can't add more hours into a day, we can choose to manage the hours we do have more effectively.

The myths of time management

Some of the stress we feel around time can be eased once we let go of a few common myths.

Myth 1: One day everything on my to-do list will be done.

Truth: The to-do list will never be completely finished. And that's okay. Instead of chasing a finish line that doesn’t exist, focus on doing enough for today.

Myth 2: There's a perfect time management formula; I just haven't found it yet.

Truth: No magic formula exists. There are plenty of strategies out there, but what really matters is finding the approach that works for each of us and sticking with it.

Myth 3: The goal is to get more done in less time.

Truth: Time management isn't about cramming in more tasks, but rather doing the right tasks. That means planning well for what matters and cutting, delegating, or outsourcing what doesn't.

The skills of effective time management

Once we've ditched the myths, it's time to focus on the skills that make the biggest difference. Even small improvements in each of these areas (say, 10–15%) can free up time, reduce stress, and create more space for training.

Planning

Planning is essential. Many athletes want to jump straight into action, but taking a few minutes to plan our month, week, and day actually saves time in the long run. "I don’t have time to plan" really means, "I don’t have time not to."

Prioritizing

We can't do everything. Being effective means knowing what deserves our time and what doesn't. Prioritizing requires self discipline, tough choices, and the courage to say no. Decide what's most important, what's secondary, and what doesn't belong on the list at all.

Decision making

It's easy to confuse being busy with being productive. Checking email, answering texts right away, or crossing off small tasks can feel good, but they often steal time from the things that matter most (like training). It's important to be intentional with decisions about where our time goes.

Setting boundaries

This has two parts:

• Saying no to others when their requests pull us off track

• Saying no to ourselves when distractions threaten our focus

Without boundaries, everything ends up slipping through the cracks. With boundaries, we take ownership of our time and protect what matters most.

Bringing it back to training

As an athlete, managing time well isn't just about being more efficient; it's also about creating the space and consistency needed for training to thrive. We can't always control our schedules, but we can control how we lead ourselves through it.

Start small. Take two ideas from this article and begin applying them today. Time is the currency of life, and how we spend it will directly impact not just our training, but also our growth as an athlete and a person.

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At BaseCamp, we believe that every cyclist has the potential to achieve greatness, no matter where they start. Our mission is to create a community-driven training environment where cyclists and triathletes of all levels can train together, support each other, and grow stronger, faster, and more confident in their abilities. Our cycling training programs are expert driven and tailored to your needs. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, BaseCamp is where you belong.