Never Enough Time?

How often do you lament that “there is never enough time” or that you wish you had more time… Do you wish for more time to finish up tasks at home or work, more time with your partner, your kids, or just more time to do nothing?

Sometimes time can feel more like sand slipping through our fingers.  We want more time to experience joy, travel, or just to garden, play a game, or pursue that which brings us joy.

The “I don’t have time” mantra is a big one for a lot of people. It is a source of anxiety for many people who are trying to fit so much into one 24 hour period.

Many people are skimping on sleep to “buy more time”, but is that really  the best way to go about “getting more time?”

We know that sleeping less than 7 hours for most adults is insufficient.  Not getting enough sleep has detrimental effects on our health, energy, focus, clarity and immunity. 

…not the way to go when it comes to trying to figure out how to get everything we both want and need to accomplish in a day/ week/ month.

What if there was a better way?

  Here’s some quick ideas to get you started!

• Take a Step Back- write down your priority people, tasks, roles and responsibilities. Consider the things you’ve already said yes to.  Look at any of those commitments and ask yourself if they will likely stay the same or change in the next 2 months?

• Explore your Values- Maybe you’ve been saying you want to lose 10 pounds, tone your body, or you value having better overall health.  But if we look at your schedule, we would not see any actions that are congruent with that.  Maybe you value date nights with your partner, but there are none scheduled.  What are your values, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and financially?

• Identify your Sleep Needs/ Patterns -Are you someone that needs 8 hours or do you do just fine on 7?  Once you identify your sleep needs, then make a plan for what will become your every day bedtime and wake up time.  Becoming intentional about hours of sleep as well as bedtime routines ( sleep hygiene) can go a long way towards good health as well as showing you exactly how many awake hours remain for you on a daily basis.

• Determine your Priorities- You may decide that you will forego time on your phone to spend a solid hour uninterrupted playing with your little one. You may realize that if your physical goals will come to fruition, you’ll need to get to the gym 3 times a week.  Write down your priorities in each category.

• Create a Master Schedule-  Your schedule will benefit you most if you have a good balance of scheduled tasks and activities, and some “white space” for flex time and spontaneity. Be sure your schedule includes the activities that are congruent with what you say you value.

These are ideas to get you started.  To achieve a different outcome; feeling more in control, less stressed, and more accomplished, we have to begin to think differently about time.

Time is an elusive thing that we can’t see like a tangible object, and we can’t barter or buy our way into getting more of it… but we can take the hours afforded to us and use them to live more intentionally.

If you are looking for more help in this area, and to manage both time and energy, there are several coaches on the Live Well Kitsap site that can assist you.

Val Harris with Varris Marketing - specializes in working with business owners and helping them “free up time” through planning and outsourcing. Livewellkitsap.com/B2B

Zak Padayo with Thrive Coaching -Zak specializes in working with younger people ages 17-30 years old where time management is part of an overall life plan. livewellkitsap.com/livewell

Lesli Dullum Taylor/ Optimal Wellness Consulting/ The Wellspring Company- specializes in working with companies; leaders, managers, front line staff to help them create a more balanced and intentional home and work life that feels manageable.  Lesli has a time /energy management curriculum she teaches /trains individuals and businesses.  Livewellkitsap.com/mind-your-health. livewellkitsap.com/B2B