It’s About Time

As you read this I hope you realize that you have less time ahead of you than at any point in your life.

So, let’s talk about time.

All my life I have heard these things about time:

*Time is like money; once you spend it, it is gone.

*We do get to decide how we want to spend it.

*We can even save time.

*Unlike money, we can never get lost time back.

*Wasting time gets very expensive.

*Hesitation, or uncertainty steals time.

*Time never waits.

*Time can be the greatest gift of all.

*“I don’t have time” means “I don’t want to.”

So, what do I do with the time I have?

1. I start my days by spending a little time thinking: I create a list of what has to happen, things that have to get done. I think it through before I act. I map out what I need to do or want to do and figure out where to start. If I think it out before I start I will waste less time. Remember, there is a difference between what I have to do and what I want to do!
2. Now, I make my list; I write it down: I plan my day so that I do what I have to do first. When I have done those things, now I do what I want to do (that would be most of the social media activity).
3. I build into each hour a five-minute break: I call it “my time.” Work for 55 minutes and then take a five-minute break. Do it, even if you don’t think you have time. Get up, walk, think, talk, whatever, but, get up and move. It will keep you going. Some of that “I want” activity can take place during the break. But, get away from your desk. This could be for a snack or a bathroom break. It could be when you take a walk or chat with a friend. Be consistent to do this; it will help you make better use of the other 55 minutes.
4. Learn to celebrate success: I hate having to make phone calls to companies to arrange things. The automation, the time it takes, the response of someone you can’t see is sometimes frustrating and exhausting. Phone calls usually end up on the bottom of my “to do” list. So, I have started rewarding myself when I finish working my way through a menu and completing a transaction. That’s when I get up and go get a popsicle. Then I sit and eat it while I cross that item off my list. I celebrate!

Time. We can never get it back, so let’s spend what we have wisely!