“I don’t have enough time.”
It’s amazing how often we feel this way. You’ve probably felt this way yourself. I’m guessing these words have even come out of your mouth at one point or another. They’ve certainly come out of mine.
It’s okay not to have enough time for everything, let’s face it…none of us do. The very fact that we all have a finite amount of time to work with (24 hours a day to be exact) requires us to make some choices in regards to how our time is being spent. Quite frankly, we just can’t do everything!
However, when we start running out of time for the important things, then we have a bit of a problem.
For most of us, when we find ourselves living in what feels like a perpetual “time-crunch,” the first things to go are usually the restorative and creative activities that bring us joy, clarity, and peace. You know the ones…the things we do in an effort to “slow down.”
I’m talking about activities like journaling, afternoon walks, painting, meditation, exercise, baking…you can fill in the blank.
Why are we so quick to leave these activities behind?
They don’t feel “essential”…at least not in the sense that attending client meetings, balancing your budget or preparing dinner for your kids is “essential.”
I would, however, argue that these activities are absolutely essential for your overall health and wellbeing. Sure, you might not have a manager checking your progress, but they are a critical part of a healthy and well-balanced life.
In my recent blog post, Top 3 Reasons Why You Need To Slow Down, I unpack this reality in more detail…I highly recommend checking it out.
Alright, let’s get practical. HOW do we go about finding time in our already busy schedules for “slow down” activities like the ones mentioned above? Here are a few tips:
- Plan Your Day
This might sound obvious, but most of us don’t actually plan our days ahead of time. Sure, you might know the major events on the calendar (work meetings, doctors appointments, school pickup, etc.) but have you taken time to outline what you hope to do at each hour of your day?
Try breaking down your day into 30 or 60 minute chunks. What will you do with your time? When you truly plan your entire day, you’ll likely find that you have more time available than you realized.Tip: Set aside 10-15 minutes each evening to plan for tomorrow.
- Eliminate “Time-Wasting” Activities
Chances are, there are pockets of your day that are not being spent effectively. In other words, you are using valuable minutes on activities that are neither productive nor restorative. I like to think of these as “time-wasters.”For many of us, our “time-wasting activities” involve a screen of some kind. Think about it! How often do you find yourself scrolling through social media, Googling random questions, or watching YouTube videos that barely interest you? The time spent on these activities could be reallocated to other more fruitful activities.Tip: If screen time is an issue for you, consider downloading an app that provides tracking and accountability reminders. There are many good options to choose from!
- Prioritize Your Commitments
You will make time for the things that matter most. Here’s the truth: some of your commitments might need to go in order to make space for other things. Evaluate your current list of commitments and ask yourself:
Are these activities truly essential? Are they life-giving? Enjoyable? Productive?
Allow this exercise to bring you clarity regarding which commitments are worth hanging onto, and which can (and should) be let go.
Are you ready to re-prioritize focused rest? Start today! There’s no time like the present. I’d like to invite you to set aside the month of November as a time for “slowing down” and getting back to the basics.
What is one restful and restorative activity you can add to your schedule for tomorrow?
If you’re interested in more intentionally working on focused rest, click HERE to join my 5 day challenge to slow down and improve your focus.
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
