It’s really tough to know where to start when you are feeling overwhelmed. There are so many things on your list that you get stressed just thinking about it, so nothing gets accomplished. Sound familiar?
Everyone has 24 hours in a day – how are you using yours?
What’s your relationship to time like? When you are working on improving your time management, the first thing to address is how you feel and speak about time. Do you feel like you’re always rushing? Like there is never enough time? Do you often go to bed feeling guilty about not getting enough done or completing your list for the day? Only you can make the decision to change your relationship with time! It’s all about the perception of time and how you manage it. You can do it!
Let’s take a look at 9 ways to help you master your time.
Get out your notebook and put some of your thoughts on paper.
Step 1: Breathe
Remember to breathe. It’s a great place to start. Your first step is to focus on breathing deeply throughout the day. Don’t change anything else just yet. Breathing deeply engages the relaxation response and makes you feel more calm, present and centered. When you feel calm internally, everything else going on doesn’t feel as upsetting or abrasive. Deadlines, bumps in the road, and most everything else will be handled with a greater sense of ease, intuition and presence.
Step 2: Change the way you talk about time
Change the way you talk about time. Instead of talking about how you don’t have enough time, your weekend went too fast, you wish there was more time in the day, acknowledge that time is exactly what you made of it. Remind yourself or even say out loud to yourself: “I have as much time as I need”, “I create time in my schedule”. Even though that may not feel true quite yet, you will start to change the way you think about time and your time management will improve.
Step 3: Write down everything you currently spend your time on each day
This is an important step and can be a real eye opener! Everything from personal care like showers, work, family responsibilities, internet, social media, tv, reading, and anything else you spend time doing. Be honest and be specific. You may find it helpful to track your activities for a couple of days. Every time you pick up your phone to scroll through social media, note what time you pick it up and put it down. Don’t change your routine because you are keeping track. You really want an accurate picture of how you are spending your time.
Step 4: Write down the top 5 things you care about
These should be “big picture” things. Here’s an example:
*Inspiring, conscious work
*Optimal physical, mental, and emotional health.
*Authentic, supportive friendships.
*Philanthropy and giving back.
*Travel and cultural experiences.
After you complete your list, compare your top five to the list of activities you spend time doing everyday. How do they line up? If they don’t line up, eliminate an activity that’s out of alignment. Keep eliminating activities or obligations as you can until you’re only doing the things that align with your top five. Your top five may change depending on your season of life so know that periodic adjustments will take place.
Step 5: Focus on three primary projects every day
- Do the toughest one first! You
decide which are the most important projects each day. They don’t always have to be related to work. You may find that it’s very important to get your workout completed first thing in the morning, or making dinner early in the day to allow for more family time in the evening, or knocking out a newsletter before the deadline. Anything else you complete is a bonus! Completing your most difficult tasks early in the morning will fuel your momentum for the rest of the day!
Step 6: Use a calendar instead of a to-do list
If you put something on your calendar, it’s more likely you’ll get it done and you will have a better idea of how much time it takes, especially if you are using a digital calendar and have to allocate a specific amount of time to complete the task. Many projects have multiple parts, and it can be intimidating to look at the entire project at one time, so it may be helpful to break it down. For example: if you need to create your website, break it down into pieces, like writing a bio or doing a photoshoot, etc.
Step 7: Delegate and automate
- Delegate and automate. Let go of the idea that you can, or have to do it all. Every superman or superwoman has a support team. Delegate and automate activities that you don’t love doing, to free yourself up to do those things that are in your top 5. Look for help that is affordable, it doesn’t have to cost a ton of money. Take your budget into consideration and see where you can get some help. Here are a few ideas that might delegate or automate:
- Drop your laundry off instead of doing it yourself. It may cost just a few more dollars than doing it yourself and it can save hours. Many places offer pick up and delivery.
- Hire a smart, mature college student to help you around the house for a few hours a week. They may need some extra money and have a flexible schedule.
- Set up your finances so that your bills get paid automatically. Spend one time a month to review statements and accounts.
- Ask your family, partner or roommate for a little more help. Work out a system that helps everyone. Voice your needs in a respectful way.
- Schedule all of your personal care appointments for the next six months, such as haircuts, manicures, pedicures, or anything else you do regularly. Take out the guesswork and put everything on your calendar in one swoop.
Step 8: Be accountable
Write down a few possible accountability buddies now and reach out to them this week. Set a standing appointment to talk each week and hold each accountable for your weekly goals and calendar items. This is the difference between talking about or wanting to do something and actually doing it.
Step 9: Release perfection
Time is tricky and our day doesn’t always go as planned. Let go of the need to be perfectly scheduled and productive every day. You’re human and not a robot! Be kind to yourself and avoid judging yourself. Stay positive and keep in mind your physical, mental, and emotional health. As much as we want to accomplish everything we want and need to do, it’s important to take care of ourselves first.
By creating balance in your life (and schedule), you can avoid living in an overwhelmed state of mind. By taking a close look at where you spend your time, you can actually win back time in your day to do some things you really enjoy and spend time with people who pour good things into your life!
Read more on time management.
