Do you feel like your day has been stolen before you even wake up?
You had your day planned the night before. You’re determined to start a new project or finish one you neglected. But before you know it, the demands of your life have arrived.
Emails from strangers, family obligations and your priorities are at the bottom of the list. Time is in such limited supply that you can’t afford to waste it. This simple quote resonates with me: “Wasted time is wasted life.”
Others will decide for you if you’re not purposeful about how you spend it. Taking control of your time isn’t selfish, it’s necessary.
Who is Wasting Your Time?
Your colleague, the self-proclaimed procrastinator, is asking you for help on a project, again. A family member who refuses to learn time management, or a neighbourhood drama queen with the latest episode of her unhappy life.
Sometimes, people are looking for a shortcut to solving their problems. They desire a better life without being committed to it. Remember, you can’t change people; you can give them the tools and do-it-yourself guide.
Where did it start?
People pleasers are usually the target of other people's demands. Neglecting your work and time to help others can feel good at times, but it can lead to resentment, which is not an ideal recipe for a healthy relationship. More often than not, the people asking you for help expect more from you than themselves.
Today, the world's obsession with social media entertainment and the constant need to be informed can become addictive and take time away from meaningful activities that might help us reach our goals for a better life. If you don’t protect your time, you will never achieve the things that truly matter to you.
Here are some practical steps to help you get excited about your life:
Implement boundaries
It's okay to say you can't take on another commitment. Treat your personal goals like important appointments. Schedule 30 minutes for reading and an hour to work on a passion project or a weekly exercise session. Block out the time and respect it.
Eradicate time wasters
Identify what’s or who is depleting your time. Do you check your phone every few minutes? Do you get lost in cyberspace looking at people who claim to have everything?
Since you can’t decide what to have for dinner, ordering pizza becomes the easy choice. There goes your commitment to a mindful budget.
Start small
Revamping your current schedule all at once can be overpowering. Instead, plan out 10 to 15 minutes each day for a goal or activity that is important to you. Don’t forget to reward yourself. Results get rewards!
Don’t neglect goals
When you regularly let others control how you spend your time, you are left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. It can lead to a lifetime of unhappiness. Your dreams and goals are worthy of your attention.
Transformational life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter. For more information, email [email protected].
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