Who ACTUALLY has enough time in their day? If I were standing on a stage facing an audience of 30,000, I likely wouldn't see many hands waving.
Since we all have the same number of minutes and hours, how is it that some get a zillion things done, while others have a challenging time ticking off just one or two items on their 'To Do' List?
If you're one of those people who fall into category B - where there's never enough time in a day. Truth be told though - you actually don't have a 'lack of time' issue, what you have is a time management issue and I have some solutions to help.
Try these specific strategies to get the absolute most from every precious moment.
Key #1: Release the Notion of Time Scarcity - Have Laser Focus Instead
Everyone wants the secret to creating a balanced life.
So many of us buy into the belief that there's just not enough time in a day. And we use that lie as a way to defend ourselves from obligations.
Here's an important question to consider:
How often do you respond to a request for your time from your kids, your partner, your teammates, or even silently to yourself with the following:
- I don't have enough time.
- I can't possibly squeeze that in today.
- I just don't have enough hours in a day.
Here's the truth: We all have the same number of hours in a day. The difference is how we choose to spend those hours and minutes.
Stop using 'Time' as an excuse. It's actually a completely invalid one because we always make the time for the things we consider imperative.
Let’s be completely honest: If it’s not getting done, it’s because we really haven’t made it a priority or we simply don’t want to do it. Understanding those two possibilities will eliminate the time excuse. What we prioritize, we make time for.
Instead of saying “I don’t have enough time,” consider that there's an abundance of time.
Believing that you have enough time will dissipate your feelings of frustration and 'lack'.
Rather than thinking of all that has to be done, think of the one thing that you can do RIGHT NOW – and do it with laser focus.
Pick one thing. Work on THAT.
Key #2: Cushion Your Timelines with Planning
By giving yourself a buffer zone and scheduling in more time to get projects done than you think you'll need, you'll immediately reduce your anxiety level
Projects, errands, tasks, meetings, appointments, travel time – pretty much everything tends to take a little longer, sometimes even significantly longer, than we anticipate. By factoring in a buffer to absorb those unpredictable amounts of time, we immediately relieve the pressure.
Here’s how to achieve this:
- If the meeting starts at 9:00 am, aim to be there for 8:45
- If you think you know how much travel time you'll need to get to an appointment, add in an extra 20 minutes for good measure
- If you arrive early, just use those minutes wisely - plan the rest of your afternoon, organize your schedule, manage your e-mail, review your notes, perfect your speech, walk the stairs for some added exercise, meditate for clarity or relaxation
The point is, you’re there – calm, cool, collected and in control as opposed to flustered, stressed out, full of anxiety, and little good to anyone – including yourself.
Key #3: Conquer Time-Suckers with Mindset
We all want more time and more freedom to be able to do the things that we want to do when we want to do them. What’s the first thing we do when we get a little bored? Whenever we have free time, we kill it by grabbing the cell, jumping onto our social media feeds, or flicking on the news for our daily dose of negativity.
The next time you’ve got a few minutes, try one of these options instead:
- Breathe deeply, meditate, visualize
- Take a look outside and notice the stunning beauty all around you
- Talk to your kids. Teach them something useful, a skill that'll server them in their independent future
- Take a walk or bike ride through the park
- Go fishing or watch the birds
- Research something that interests you
- Plan your next vacation
- Set your sights on some incredible goal you've dreamt of as a child and plan your action steps to achieve it
Whatever it is…be present in the moment and take some time to be grateful.
Appreciate the beauty that your incredible life really is.
When you shift from a place of stress to a place of gratitude, you’ll be amazed at the incredible things that happen and how much more you'll love your life.
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| andrea@coachforlife.ca |
Andrea Raco, is a Certified Success and Life Enrichment Coach, Founder of Coach for Life, and Curator of Gold Key Club ~ a private community for Ladypreneurs, Supermoms, and Sisters making a difference in the world.
For more information about her programs and services, visit www.coachforlife.ca.
Would you like something a little more focused and personal? I'd be delighted to chat.
Contact me directly to schedule your FREE 'Slay Your Time Dragon' Strategy Session. Together, we'll design a customized Daily/Weekly/Monthly planner that will fit all your 'big rocks' in and even create more time for you health care and self-care. 
