From the Ask Tom mailbag:

Question
Identifying Time Span seems to be difficult. How do you make that assessment? How do I know my Time Span?

Response
Everyone has this curiosity. “What’s my Time Span?”

I usually avoid the question, skirt the conversation, redirect, distract, change the subject. But let’s take a stab.

I always start with purpose. What would be the purpose for you to know your own Time Span (capability)? Here is a quick list.

• Am I working to my potential, as a person?
• Am I paying attention to tasks appropriate for my role?
• Am I allowing myself to get trapped in events and circumstances that play against my effectiveness?
• Am I approaching problems and decisions with an eye to long term impact vs. short term comfort?
• When I look to solve a problem, is the quality of the solution improved by thinking further into the future?

These are important questions. How can Time Span help us more clearly understand the answers to these questions? First, answer the questions.