If you had all the time in the world what would you do?
How would life be different? What would you be doing right now?
TIME (or lack thereof) is the blame for so many things not getting done – particularly things for oneself.
But the problem is, we DON’T have an infinite supply of time so instead we (well I do) try to cram in as much as possible simultaneously prioritising as we go. I don’t know about you but the first thing to go is ALWAYS the things that I need for ME – well, that’s how it was anyway until I started to realise that if I don’t MAKE time for my stuff it was never, ever going to happen.
What are the things you feel you are missing in your life? The things you’d really like to do but can never seem to find the time?
Make yourself a list of those things
When you build your list you’ll notice that your items fall into 1 of 2 categories. They are either (1) things that can be done in your usual day or (2) things that take a little more time (like a holiday) and take you out of your ordinary routine.
Now, review your list and highlight anything that you could slide into your every day (the 1’s) – like exercise, housework, relationship building, study etc.
Consider if there’s anything that can be delegated and if so, do so – if not write next to each item how much time you want to spend on it each week.
Now get out your diary (I use an old fashioned paper diary) and PEN time in to do these things (my associate Rosemary Shapiro-Liu refers to this as the process of bracketing time). This time is YOURS. It’s non negotiable, not exchangeable and non-redeemable.
At the end of the week reflect on how you went and ask yourself: Did I find the time to do the things I penned into my diary? How do I feel as a result of doing that? Did any other areas of my work/life suffer because of this? Is there anything that needs to be shifted for next week?
Then grab your diary and pen again for the week ahead.
As for the things that take up bigger chunks of time (the number 2’s) consider how much time and resource is needed for them and chunk tasks leading into the item (your milestones). For example – if you want to go on an overseas holiday your milestones could be to (a) talk to your partner (b) get passports (c) work out your itinerary (d) sort through budgets, find finances and save (e) book tickets and accommodation (f) make arrangements for your normal life to go on while you’re away (g) last minute details and (h) GO
Once you understand your milestones grab a year to view page in your diary or diary system and pen in the milestones. Each week when you review your weekly achievements also reflect on how you’re going with your milestones towards bigger items.
So – that’s one way to get more time for the things you really want to do. And notice the key to this is ACTUALLY KNOWING what it is that you want to do. It only takes a little while to make your list and imagine the angst it saves in time otherwise spent yearning for something – you’re not sure what – but something…
Keep me posted. Is this working for you?
