This week I’ve been reflecting on time and how we use it. We all have the same 24 hours in each day, and yet some people always seem to have plenty of time while others never have enough. How do you manage your time so you get a sense of achievement without feeling overwhelmed? How do you balance making progress with feeling as if you’re always running to keep up? Building a business means being able to manage your own time, but that definitely comes with its own challenges! How do you carve out time for yourself?
“Loneliness is a sign you are in desperate need of yourself.” Rupi Kaur
How do you take time out?
How many times have you thought about something you’d like to do only to conclude you don’t have the time? The demands of everyday life can be overwhelming, leaving many people feeling that they never get a moment to themselves. Many of us spend so much time on what we should be doing that there’s no time left for what we really want to be doing. The issue with never having enough quality time for your friends and family or for yourself is that it can leave you feeling stressed and unhappy. Too much work and not enough play can contribute to problems such as anxiety and depression. However many demands you have on your time and energy, if you overdo things on a regular basis, you risk burning yourself out. Being able to find time in a busy schedule is vital in order to maintain balance and recharge your batteries.
We all need time to rest and recharge and introverts in particular need alone time. The amount of time you need actually increases with stress, so the more stressed you are, the more time you need. Taking some time out to relax is essential for your wellbeing, particularly your mental health. When we make time for ourselves, we reduce stress, build mental strength and increase productivity. We can make plans for the future, get to know ourselves better, think strategically and explore our creativity. This strengthens our relationships, boosts our self-esteem and makes us feel refreshed.
If you’d like to feel happier, more fulfilled and with an increased sense of drive and purpose in life, make more time in your schedule for the things that light you up, those things you really enjoy. Take time out for yourself.
Here are my Top 10 Tips:-
🌟 Get clear. What are you spending your time on? What’s not serving you? What could be made more efficient or cut out completely? Are you spending your time on the things that are actually moving your forward?
🌟 Say ‘no’ more. Before agreeing to do something, think carefully about what impact it will have. Make sure you’re not finding time for everyone but yourself. Saying no definitely becomes easier with practice.
🌟 Delegate. Does it have to be you? Could someone else take it off your plate? Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Perhaps the other person would welcome the challenge or opportunity.
🌟 Take a break. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed or stretched too thin. Take a short walk, make a cup of tea, allow your thoughts to wander. Carve out moments in your day to just be.
🌟 Plan. Be clear about your non-negotiables. My calendar starts with a daily ‘health’ slot. Start with those things you want to prioritise and plan everything else around them. Be intentional about your time.
🌟 Create routines. Decide ahead of time and make it part of your pattern. Incorporating downtime into your day means you are more likely to make it happen rather than wishing you could.
🌟 Start small. Time for you doesn’t have to take big chunks out of your day. How about some meditation or stretching? A conversation with a friend or an entry into your gratitude journal. Even some deep breathing whilst at your desk.
🌟 Go all in. Whether it’s going for a walk, reading a book or simply gazing out the window, try and do it fully and completely. Don’t try and combine it with something else. Immerse yourself in the gift of your time.
🌟 Get active. Nothing reduces stress quite like exercise. In addition to the obvious health benefits of moving your body, changing your environment and physicality improves your mood and makes you feel refreshed.
🌟 Have fun. Being an adult is serious stuff! Laughter reduces stress and makes us feel amazing. Make time to have some fun along the way and don’t take yourself too seriously.
It’s completely unrealistic to expect yourself to know everything or be able to do everything. Please be kind to yourself and if you’d like to talk through the choices you’re facing or any blockers in your business, let me know.
Lisa Zevi – July 2021