“Where did the time go? Feeling stuck in the day-to-day?
How many times have you heard that comment in reference to time?
Time is a major focus and stress factor in our modern world. I’m sure you feel it too.
The perception of time is that we don’t have enough of it.
Comments like “where did the time go?!” generate a feeling of loss, lack and FOMO! It makes us feel guilty and believe that we’re not effective enough etc.
Do you feel the same?
Do you feel you don’t have time to yourself?
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When we allow excuses to get in the way for what we want we procrastinate.
I know I do.
And I know I’m not alone.
What if we didn’t refer to time as the limiting factor?
The question becomes, what would we make reference to instead?
The Perception of Time versus Having Fun.
Maybe we could reference our level of satisfaction? Or how about life by how much fun we’re having?
For example, if we lived by how much fun we’re having instead of referring to how much time we have, we could forget the time aspect and look to having as much fun as we could every day.
Think about that for a moment.
What would be different if you referenced how much fun you’re having instead of when something needs to be done? That would be quite a difference, wouldn’t it?
Moreover, for the longest time, I was using time (and I still do to some extent) as a yardstick for when I wanted things to happen, or I used time to judge if something was done well or not.
Simply, I usually wanted things to happen in my own way, on my own timetable.
Can you relate?
If yes, you’re also like me caught in the war against time. Which can never be won…how much FUN is that??
Using time as a criteria for reward is usually not a good idea, it’s just adding to the stress when trying to get something done.
Give yourself a chance to have FUN!
If you want to live your ideal dream day, you’ll have to consider how to make space in your calendar and free up some time, without the feeling of guilt!
In simple words, what this means is that we give ourselves the opportunity to not be under time pressure while doing something.
To take time out of the equation can be quite a new and different experience. Because we are conditioned to structure our life based on time, the hours in a day and when things need to be completed.
As you may have noticed, to free up time in your calendar and life can feel like a major undertaking and surprisingly a very hard task to actually do.
Below I give you some simple but very powerful tips how to kickstart the opportunity to make space in your calendar and life.
Get more tips and inspiration by joining the 5 day online challenge, link below.
Here we go: 7 easy ways to make space in your calendar and life THIS week!
These tips may sound simple, but to actually DO them for real, it’s a different story.
1) What would it take to COMMIT to make space in your life THIS week?
First, to commit to spending time on ourselves may feel like the hardest thing to do ever. Because most of us have a hard time prioritizing ourselves over everything else that needs our attention.
So to truly commit to making space to have FUN, without a time-limit or another important endeavour like personal development, is easy to talk about but SO HARD to actually do.
What would it take to consider shifting some of your commitments around this week?
But FIRST the most important step. Your commitment to actually do something different to see a different result.
In the challenge you’ll receive support and encouragement to make a commitment to yourself!
2) What activities can wait this week?
Oh this one is good. Usually NOTHING can wait, right? Everything is priority #1 always.
So the way to think about this one is to really think about what we want to happen this week.
What are the results that you’d like to realize this week? What is the effect of those results? Think about what the result/effect or outcome that you’d like to see by the end of the week, and consider remove anything that wouldn’t contribute to it.
3) What needs to be completed this week?
Next, when we think about what will be completed instead of what we need to do, the story is often a bit disjointed, because there are millions of things we do, but not necessarily related to what is getting completed.
When we focus on what we want to complete instead of what we need to do can help us to free up time. Because anything that’s not related to what needs to be completed basically does not need to be done right now.
4) What can you let others do?
Next, most of us find this one sooo hard. I can’t Delegate??? Noooo! – “It’s better I do it so it gets done…!”
Not letting others help us is one of the most time-draining decisions we ever make. When we try to do everything ourselves everything comes out great, BUT it’s consuming your TIME.
So, what things on your calendar can you let someone else do this week? Identify at least 3 things that are on your calendar right now that you know you can hand over to someone else.
5) What’s the big picture?
When we get stressed and feel like the world is closing in on us, it’s because we’re too focused on the issue, not the solution, which often involves creativity and seeing the big picture.
To see the big picture, you can ask yourself: What is the worst thing that can happen if I don’t do this thing this week? What would be another way I could make it happen that doesn’t involve me?
Next, being creative with the big picture in mind may generate some natural solutions!
6) Do something for yourself this week. Make time for you.
Now we’re getting into the FUN!
Next, go back in time and ask, when was the last time you did something for yourself?
Here’s an invitation for you to start today!
I invite you to go ahead and move something that is currently sitting there in our calendar. Then block some time for yourself on our calendar instead.
As you may have found, this can be harder than you ever imagined, but the trick is to start small. Maybe it’s a visit to the farm stand, maybe it’s to go buy some flowers for yourself and put on your desk?
Show yourself that you matter.
7. Help someone else to free up time in their calendar
Next in this process I’d like us to consider something that takes the focus off ourselves.
How can you invite a feeling of reward to make space in our calendar and life for this week and help someone else make space in their calendar to implement these tips for themselves?
Now partner up with someone to support each other in continuing to make space in your calendars for time to have fun, or work on that personal project that you know is bringing you joy.
Time does stand still when we are creative, having fun and are filled with joy and gratitude.
Moreover, time is our most precious metric, but also the most stressful metric we live by today. To feel less stressed and live more in balance with your own life rhythm, try to step away from the perspective of time more often.
Lastly, imagine getting lost in an activity that inspires you, like free-writing until you feel it’s complete, or just not plan anything for a day, may uncover some genius next steps for you.
Join the 5-day challenge here and get started today!
Go from feeling totally squeezed to feeling more ease and flow with these easy steps – in only 5 days you can create more space for yourself and feel different.
How can YOU make time for you in your life this week?
Related: How to make that change for YOU when you live a crazy busy life!
