Making time to take stock (when you can't make time!)
/- Tracey Hancock, REALiving Coaching
"Making time" is quite an odd expression because the reality is we can't make time. There are 24 hours in a day, and there's nothing we can do to change that. But how often do you find yourself wishing there were more hours in the day or that you could slow time down?
In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to get caught up in demands, distractions and long To Do lists, so much so that time just disappears. Days, weeks, months, years and even whole centuries fly by!
If you can't make time, what can you do?
There is something you can do so don't despair about not being able to make time.
You can choose how you use the time available to you.
It took me a while to realise that it was okay for me choose how I spent my time. Like you, I have roles and responsibilities, things that need to be done but you know what I realised? I was scattered, going here there and everywhere, trying to be and do everything.
I would push myself way too hard and expect way too much of myself - I was the queen of self-criticism and judgement. I piled on the pressure, and it was all go-go-go.
Maybe that sounds familiar.
Your choice
Stopping and getting clear about what's most important to you is the first step toward using the time available to you well.
Thinking about all those roles and responsibilities, make sure you include you and your health in the mix, what do you most want to give your attention, energy and focus to?
Once you know what's important to you, the next step is to think about the time you'll commit. Maybe Sunday is strictly for spending time with family. Perhaps 1 hour a day is dedicated to meditation, journalling and yoga. Whatever it is that matters to you, decide when you want to do it and how much time you'll commit to it.
The final step and this is important, is to write it down. Put the activities you're committing to in an electronic calendar or your diary. It's an important appointment!
Fill your own cup first
Trying to do everything and be all things to all people is a recipe for disaster. You'll feel stretched, pushed and pulled, and you won't be able to give things - you, other people, tasks and jobs - the attention they deserve. And as you know, you'll end up racing madly and time will fly by.
When you look at what's important to you, I trust there's time for you. Time to nurture your mind, body and soul. Time for stillness and silence. Time to be and breathe.
Give yourself permission
How would it be if you were to give yourself permission to get clear about what's important to you and then commit the time it deserves? (Everything else fits in and around that!)
Pretty amazing, right.
Then do it. Choose how you'll spend the time available to you.
Know someone, someone you love and care for, who needs to hear this message too? Please share.
Tracey Hancock is a coach and mentor passionately committed to helping people live well. Drawing on her own life experience and the lessons she's learnt trying to be and do what she thought was expected of her, Tracey will gently guide you to reconnect with yourself, putting you and your health at the heart of everything you do in life and business. If you know it's time to be you and to live your REAL life, contact Tracey to learn more about the REALiving approach today.