Understanding "Capital-M Minutes": The Currency of Engagement
Remember: Just as you wouldn't carelessly throw away money, don't waste your minutes.
Every minute of our lives is precious, but some minutes carry more weight than others. These are what I call "Capital-M Minutes" - the moments that truly matter and align with our purpose.
What Makes a Minute "Capital-M"?
A Capital-M Minute is one that lands squarely in Bucket One - time spent fully engaged in activities that energize, fulfill, and move you toward your purpose. These minutes compound in value, creating lasting impact in your life and the lives of others. If you’re an employee, you love what you do and you’re truly engaged. If you’re a manager or a leader, you inspire energy, excitement and employee engagement across the organization.
1. Bucket One (Engaged Minutes)
Time spent in purposeful, meaningful activities
Minutes that energize and inspire you
Work that aligns with your values and goals
2. Bucket Two (Limbo Minutes)
Time spent in decision-making mode
Moments of reflection and planning
Neither fully engaged nor completely disengaged
3. Bucket Three (Disengaged Minutes)
Time wasted on unfulfilling activities
Energy-draining moments
Work that feels meaningless or misaligned
How to Maximize Your Capital-M Minutes
1. Track Your Minutes Using the Bucket Journal
End each day by rating your engagement level
Identify patterns in how you spend your time
Be honest about which bucket holds most of your minutes
2. Make Conscious Decisions About Your Time
Before committing to a task, ask: "Will this result in a Capital-M Minute?"
Consider whether activities align with your purpose
Make decisions based on what truly matters to you, not what seems easiest in the moment
3. Guard Against Time Thieves
Recognize when you're slipping into Bucket Three
Don't let others steal your Capital-M Minutes
Set boundaries to protect your most valuable time
4. Invest in Growth and Purpose
Allocate time for activities that fuel your development
Connect your daily work to your larger mission
Build relationships that support your engagement
The Power of Purposeful Minutes
Remember: Just as you wouldn't carelessly throw away money, don't waste your minutes. Every Capital-M Minute invested in Bucket One activities compounds over time, leading to greater fulfillment and impact.
Your Next Step
Start today by asking yourself: "Where are my minutes really going?" Use the Bucket Journal concept to track your time and make more conscious choices about how you spend your most precious resource.
Because in the end, it's not just about having more time - it's about making your minutes matter.
Download our free leadership decision making tool here.
Author of The Three Bucket Leader
Host of the Make Minutes Matter Podcast
You can pre-order The Three Bucket Leader here.
