Time is finite and when there are lots of directions to go, make sure you’re pursuing what you want
It can feel like there is never enough time in the day. For parents who are balancing a full-time job, commute, and family life, the day is over before you know it. It’s easy to feel discouraged or frustrated when there’s a handful of unfinished tasks left for another day that will not be long enough. The cycle goes on like this, on and on. Week after week.
Time management is a concept well known in the work world, but it is equally important during personal time. Being protective of how you spend your time helps you feel more centered and balanced, and more in the moment.
If you have young kids, by the time dinner is made, lunches are made, baths are done and everything is put away, there are only a few hours left in the night. I know I’ve dealt with this issue in the past, especially when I’m taking a class to upgrade a skill and I am tired as well. Actually, not just tired, exhausted. I want to do it all, but I can’t.
This is one of the first things to realize. If there are only two hours left in the day, it’s going to be hard to stretch it out like you have four. There are many self-help books and time management blogs out there who will attempt to make it seem possible. It’s not, and even if it was, it’s not sustainable. From my experience, it leads to burn out, and that’s no fun for anyone.
So instead of trying to multiply time, I suggest you guard your time. Take a moment to figure out what you want to do, and don’t let anyone take the time from you.
Cuddle with kids on the couch? That means dishes will sit until later. Focusing on an important milestone project at work? That means the constant email needs to be turned off for an hour or two.
Here are ways to ferociously guard your time to get things done and keep at peace:
- Know what you want to do
Make a list of everything you want to do. Throw in things with your kids, family, and friends, tasks around the house, personal development, whatever it is you want to do, make a note of it. If you’re like me, this list is probably quite long. Hold onto this list, as you’ll need it as you make decisions on how you’re going to get there.
- Know why you want to do it
Have you ever sat down and made your own personal vision? It’s a process that can take some time but it is well worth the effort. Your personal vision can be a guiding document that helps you choose when to prioritize and plan the items on your list.
- Plan how you’ll get there
Planning and prioritizing is about morphing your list of things into an action plan. Once you have a list of what you want to accomplish, now’s the time to get to work planning how you will achieve it. Look at the timing of what you want to do. Some things will take longer, while other items can be completed on a weeknight. Depending on the scope of your plan, you need to further break out how you’ll finish longer projects. For instance, writing a novel may take many months or a year, depending on your schedule.
- Do the thing & rejoice
There’s something fantastic about making time for everything you want to do. While you may not be able to finish what you want as quickly, getting it down is a huge accomplishment. Bravo!
