Written by Bruce Eckfeldt, an Inc. 500 CEO, a Gazelles Certified Coach and leader in performance management and organizational development.

Many executives who I work with complain that their schedules are overloaded. They can’t “find the time” to work on key priorities. They show me calendars that are full of meetings and phone calls scattered across the day. These individuals run incredibly complex and expansive organizations, and yet time management eludes them.

While I have infinite understanding, I also have little sympathy. One of the best tests of executive skill is an ability to control time and set priorities. Executives who excel don’t find time; they make time for important tasks. They accomplish this by designing their optimal schedule and protecting themselves from low-priority or unnecessary tasks.