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“Managing Your Time vs Your Time Managing You”

Are you a “clock watcher?” Do you rush through each day checking the time, assessing whether there is enough to finish what you’re doing and get to the next thing? Are you constantly reviewing a list of what needs to be done? A lot us believe that in order to make the best use of our time, we need a rigid structure.

What if it’s not the structure of time, but our relationship with time? What if you were EMPOWERED by time instead of being constricted by time?

“When busy-ness is the measure of time, no matter how much time exists, it is never enough.” – Diana Hunt

3 KEY TIPS THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH TIME AND HOW YOU MANAGE IT:

1. Set Priorities
Effective management of time begins with setting priorities. Start by making a list of all the task you have to do this week. Once you’ve got a completed list, go back to the top of your list and add your name. If your name or doing something for you was already on the list, give yourself a pat on the back and make sure it is at the top.
I recently suggested to a client creating more time in her schedule for herself, started with her recognizing she is more important than her job. Maybe for you, it’s something or someone else that has become more important than you to where you constantly sacrifice your needs and wants in a way that borders on unhealthy.
2. Make Decisions
Now that you have your list, you have some decisions to make. Unless you’ve done a really good job of filtering, you probably have a list that is way too long to be realistic. Make a first decision to carve out time for you, it doesn’t have to be a big chunk of time to start with.
Try setting aside 15 minute blocks of time for yourself. Use the time to walk, read, take a nap, and call a friend. Make a list of things you can do in 15 minutes. That way, you don’t spend your block of time trying to figure out what to do.
Other decisions: Decide on the number of things that are number one priorities. Will you have two or four things that must get done? Choose what you can realistically handle.
That does not mean you won’t get to other things, it just allows you to take some of the pressure off that comes with feeling like you have to do everything now. Please note this is not procrastinating – you’re not putting it off out of avoidance or fear. You are wisely taking control of your clock and taking care of yourself.
3. Set Boundaries
Lastly, you want to set boundaries. Look for ways to set healthy limits in your relationships. This includes relationships at work and with friends. It also means setting limits and keeping promises to yourself.
Most of us wouldn’t dream of breaking a promise we made to someone else, and if we did, we’d spend at least a week beating ourselves up about it. But we break promises to ourselves all the time, crossing the boundaries we’ve set for ourselves. Until we matter enough we will continue to dishonor ourselves by breaking our promises and running over the boundaries we’ve set.

While it’s true no one gets more than 24 hours in a day, we still have power over how productive we are by managing our time. Managing time is more than just the ability to layout an organized schedule. True time management means setting priorities that communicate clearly what’s really important, making wise decisions that help set realistic goals, and setting firm boundaries that allow us to keep the promises we make to ourselves and others.

It’s a great day to BE AMAZING, and have the time of your life!