Do you feel as though you never have enough time? Is there a sense of 'rush' and 'urgency' dogging your heels as you gallop through your day? Would you like to have a greater sense of being 'time rich?' Time is such a precious commodity. It cannot be re-cycled: it cannot be saved; once it's gone it's gone. This sense of time being valuable makes busy lives and jam-packed schedules even more frustrating. It's not surprising: you live in a world of unsurpassed opportunities for work, leisure and more. So it pays to develop better systems that support your choices around using your time. But it's not only about great diary systems it's also about what you unconsciously do, or don't do, that is making you feel 'time poor'. So, here are five great methods of 'spring cleaning' your time closet. Before you start, just imagine how good it will feel when you have more time to focus on you and what you really want to do in life. Take a moment to focus on all the chores/tasks that you do and choose FIVE that you really dislike doing, or that you feel drain your energy. Write them down on 5 separate pieces of paper and then, for each one in turn, answer the following questions:- 1. How important is this task to me can I live without it in my life? What does it give me? If I can live without its results in my life then could I just stop doing it, at least for a while to see how it feels.(for example, ironing: being a member of a committee or group: making regular phone calls from a sense of duty). 2.How important are the results of this task to someone else in my life? (e.g partner/children/parents/friends). How would it affect them if I stopped doing it? Do they know how difficult I am finding it right now and is there another way of giving them what they need without my having to do so much work? List as many ways as possible that you could give what is needed in a different way (and remember, this might mean delegation of some kind) and at this stage DO NOT second guess yourself, just flow with the ideas that come up. For example, if you regularly visit a relative who has come to depend upon your visits, examine in detail what it is you do for them that is draining you? If it's housework, consider getting outside help. If they just like to chat, then change the routine to suit you more maybe mix some phone calls and emails/texts in to the routine: change the days and times you visit a little and vary what you do when you are together. 3.Have I taken on responsibility for this task while assuming I am the only one responsible for it? Have I shared how I feel about it with those that are affected? Would my partner/friends/colleagues be surprised if they knew how it was making me feel and could I take responsibility for asking for help? 4.How would I feel if I no longer had to do this and what would I do with the time and space being free of it would allow? Now take a minute to sit quietly. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Focus on the FEELINGS you would like to have once you have resolved this situation.Find words that represent those feelings for example, you might say to yourself I feel so much more relaxed: I feel stronger". 5.Now write down 3 things you can do to change each of the situations you have been reviewing. Have a look at the list again, and choose the one you want to start with it may be the one that drains you most: it may be the one that is easiest for you to resolve. It doesn't matter so much which one you choose but that you make a choice and take action on it. REMEMBER - the power to make a change starts with you. No matter how hard a situation, once you have decided to make a difference there will be a change you cannot control the total outcome but you can feel stronger when you face the situation and take action. Time is one of your most valuable assets so give yourself time to work through these tips and enjoy more of your life as a result.
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