Do you have trouble finding time to get everything done?

Time is a valuable commodity and if you are like me, you never seems to have enough time.  I feel like I am in a constant “go, go, go” mode trying to accomplish a never-ending to do list.

Let’s face it, most of us are very busy.   I am sure that you agree that there aren’t enough hours in the day.

So we must make the most of the hours that we have.    We need to schedule tasks that are important to us and bring us closer to our goals.

Of course, everything can’t be scheduled; there are some things that you can’t control.

But, having a template for how you want to spend your time can be helpful;   you will be more likely to spend your time doing tasks that move you towards achieving your goals.  You will be proactive, not reactive.

If you don’t design a plan, or a schedule, you will end up letting something or someone else steward your ship.

Do you want to control your your course, or do you want to allow circumstances, or someone else. to determine how you spend your time?

 

Find a way to schedule what is important.

I don’t know about you, but I have concluded that I CANNOT DO IT ALL.

I have to be mindful of what I am doing with my time.    I prioritize what is important, and I schedule the tasks and activities that are a priority.  This way, they get done.

One action step that I took was to create what my typical week should look like.  I needed to SEE it so that I could decide if my schedule was moving me towards, or away, from my goals.

I created and completed a weekly calendar template to see if my time was being spent wisely. Then, I blocked off time for the tasks that I am required to do and want to do.

Although I couldn’t put EVERYTHING that I do in on my calendar, I did create a fairly typical week.

If you think that it would benefit you to map out your week into time blocks, feel free to access the FREE weekly calendar that I created.   It includes a blank template, along with a sample weekly calendar.  Tips to format the calendar to match your needs are also include on the sample template tab.   (Please note that the calendar that I have shared is read-only.   To have a copy that is unique to you, you can simply choose File, Make a copy.)

Once i made my calendar, I did a little analysis of my time.   I saw that while some tasks were in alignment with my goals and other tasks needed to change.   So I removed some tasks that weren’t serving me, and replaced them with tasks that would better utilize my time to meet my goals.

I have practiced this exercise with clients and have the following advice for you when you fill in your calendar:

 

1.

Schedule people, not just “things.”

 

• Do you feel like you spend enough “quality time” with friends and family?
• When is the last time that you went on a date night with your partner?
• Have you been able to spend “distraction free” time with your children?
• When is the last time that you got together with your BFF or favorite cousin?
• Do you have fiends and family members that you haven’t seen in awhile (aka too long for you to remember)?

If the answer to ANY of the above questions doesn’t align with your goals, then make a change.   Decide, today, to schedule time to spend time with those you love.

Life is short, and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.   If it is important to you, do it now!

 

2.

Schedule time for yourself.

Self care is important.  If you don’t take care of yourself first, it is unlikely that you will be able to take care of others well.

Make sure that you schedule time for the things that are important to your physical and mental well-being.  

For instance,

• .A weekly yoga class could decrease your stress and helps alleviate back pain.
• A trip to your favorite park could let you reflect on where you are and where you want to go.
• A run or walk outside might give you an opportunity to be mindful, while also giving you an opportunity to get some exercise into your schedule.
• Reading a book on the hammock can give you the quiet time and knowledge that you need.

Whatever your method of taking care of yourself, you MUST schedule time to take care of yourself if you want to be the BEST YOU you can be for those who you love.

 

3.

Remember that YOUR TIME IS SACRED when making your schedule.

Let’s go back to an absolute truth.  Time is a limited commodity.   Regardless of how hard you try to manufacture more time, we are all limited to 24 hours in each and every day.

We are all here for a limited time.   YOU CANNOT DO IT ALL.  YOU MUST PRIORITIZE WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

When someone asks for some of your time, you should think long and hard before saying yes.   If you are going to give your time to someone or something, you should be sure that it aligns with your goals.

After all, saying YES to something means saying NO to something else.  

In other words, saying yes to someone or something means that you have given that amount of time to that person or thing.  CHOOSE YOUR YESES CAREFULLY;  time can’t be taken back once it is given.

 

4.

Don’t create a rigid schedule.

A scheduling tool, like the FREE calendar that I made, is a valuable tool that will benefit those who use it.

However, creating too rigid of a schedule is not beneficial.

If you create a rigid schedule, you will miss out on valuable opportunities that present themselves.

 

You never know when life will present you with an opportunity to partake in a task that will bring you closer to attaining one of your goals.   If you keep your schedule somewhat fluid, when you get an offer to do something else, you are able to make space for it in your schedule.