By Bill Mason, Executive Coach and Founder of Rocket Fuel Coach
Time is the one resource we all want more of—but often use the worst.
Recently, I sat down with a CEO whose company pulls in over six figures in annual revenue. Smart. Driven. But completely buried in tasks. One day, he told me he was debating whether to spend $500 on ZipRecruiter to hire a new employee—or do the search himself.
At first glance, it seemed like a no-brainer to save the cash. Then I asked, “How much is your time worth?”
We did the math. His personal earnings came out to about $500 per hour. That meant spending 40 hours on hiring would cost the company $20,000 in lost opportunity. Within minutes, the real cost was clear—and so was his decision. He paid the $500, filled the role faster and freed up time to close two new deals that week.
That’s what happens when leaders start treating time like the asset it truly is. The 4D Strategy: Do, Develop, Delegate, Delete
Most leaders I coach don’t have a time management issue—they have a decision-making issue. They’re overwhelmed not by laziness, but by loyalty to the wrong tasks. That’s why I teach the 4D Performance Strategy, a tool that helps you categorize every task on your plate into four powerful buckets:
Do – The things you’re great at and energized by. These are your zone of genius— double down on them. In this zone, you have the potential for exponential growth.
Develop – The things you love but haven’t mastered yet. These are worth the time and effort to grow. Hire a coach, attend group trainings, take courses, read books, or tune into podcasts.
Delegate – The things you’re competent in, but that drain your energy. These are ideal to train and hand off. Those who stay in this zone too long burn out—even though they appear productive.
Delete – The time-wasters. They bring no value and drain your focus. Cut ruthlessly. If you don’t, these are the tasks that can eventually get you fired.
When leaders start filtering their calendar through this grid, everything shifts. Burnout fades. Focus sharpens. Impact rises. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing less better.
But here’s where the magic multiplies: this strategy isn’t just for individuals—it transforms teams.
When an entire team uses the 4D Strategy, something powerful happens. Tasks that drain one person are often energizing to another. What you hate doing, someone else may thrive on. By mapping out team tasks across these four zones, companies unlock hidden potential.
Workloads get balanced. Morale improves. People operate in their strengths. And the team moves from just surviving to truly thriving—from good to great. The result? Higher engagement, less turnover and significantly better outcomes.
Whether you’re a business owner, a team leader or simply juggling too much—this strategy works.
Time poverty is often a sign of priority confusion. When everything feels urgent, nothing truly important gets done. The 4D method gives you clarity, not just control. And clarity creates freedom.
So, here’s the question: What is your time really worth?
And what’s it costing you to keep doing things someone else could do better, faster and cheaper?
The best leaders don’t do more—they do what matters most, their highest and best!
“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”
– Warren Buffett
Ready to Take Back Your Time? Call me at 850-855-3430
Ready to Take Back Your Time?
If this hit home for you, you’re not alone.
That’s why I’m hosting a high-impact, hands-on workshop to help you apply this strategy to your real life.
The 4D Performance Strategy Workshop
Date: May 15
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Location: Maas Coffee Shop Cost: Only $19 (a $100 value!)
You’ll receive:
✔ A printed workbook
✔ A personalized action plan
✔ Free coffee, water, and drinks
✔ Tools to transform your productivity and leadership
This 90-minute experience is designed for business owners, team leaders, and anyone tired of being stretched too thin.
Learn how to stop wasting time and start focusing on what moves the needle.
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