HELLO everyone, I’m glad to see you here today. My name is Linda Frame. I’m here everyday with: Daily Adversity Support….
Authors Note: For my background information, please visit my Profiles on Facebook and Linkedin.
I’m here to talk about the challenges, the hurdles, those ‘nothing goes right’ days and the set backs that jump in your way unexpectedly. You may even feel like that ‘black cloud’ hanging over your head seems to have your name on it. If a particular topic of the day here doesn’t suit you or doesn’t speak to you, that’s fine, maybe tomorrows topic will seem more interesting to your issues in your life.
Oh boy, here she comes,
“MikeMikeMikeMikeMike….. do you know what DAY IT is……
H U M P – D A A A Y “
Okay, a little weekday humor. Well, I hope your day is going well so far. Today, is a good day to figure out how your time is going this week, you know, are you getting done as planned so far this week? No no, I am not going to pull out the podium and lecture you about time management. That may work for some folks, but in my personal experience, time management comes with mindset, when you are driven and passionate about what you are doing because you love it, like I love what I do.
This means, instead, why not: Take Control of your time….. Why would you ever let time take control of you? After all, it’s your time isn’t it? Let’s get ‘real’ for a few minutes while I give you a few thoughts.
Reverse Schedule
If you “live” by a schedule: Schedule in reverse..
Put the REAL priorities on the calender 1st – such as family night &/or date night. Then everything else can be added. After all, what’s more important?
Honesty
Have you ever found yourself saying “yes” to a project in the hopes that a weekend will suddenly and magically hold in reserve the 10 extra hours you would need to complete that project?
Newsflash: You can’t manufacture time. Be honest about your limitations before you wear yourself out. It IS okay to say no, no-one is going to freak out.
Be in Charge
Being in charge can be scary, but you have to be in control of yourself.
Learn to think through each time commitment completely, that means the whole start to finish time period. Give yourself time to think by saying: “Can I let you know tomorrow”? What are they going to say, NO? Well that would be even better if they did sometimes, that’ll made the decision for you….
You have to remember WHO is in charge of your time, is it you, or them?
Drop It
If your a Mom, Dad (if you have children), even if you don’t have children, your friends might, so you may want to suggest this, so read on.
If you spend 2 less days a month as a lunch monitor at your child’s school, or as a group car pool participant, those 2 days will free you up for a lunch ‘date’ with your spouse or friend.
You may let someone down, but, again who is in charge or your time, you cannot be everywhere. So drop even one thing from your schedule.
Make a List (uh oh, here we go)
Now do not get carried away, just follow me here, this isn’t what you think.
Think about your commitments and make a list of them. Not for life or a year, lets work small first and start with a week at a time, then a month at a time, until you learn and get use to your new posture. You need a little time to get use to WHO is really in charge of your time.
When you make your commitment list, make it large enough so you can’t miss it. Then place your list next to where ever you usually make your commitments: next to the phone, on your computer monitor, next to your laptop or on the calender.
This is a visual reminder of all that you’re involved with and make you think twice before you you start adding something else.
Opinion
Sometimes you are so involved with you own world of duties, it’s hard to really take a step back to see for yourself how you’re doing with this.
Ask for an honest perspective from your spouse or close friend about your limitations. Ask them to comment on how you’re using your time and what they see that may be robbing you of your time.
However, if you ask for an honest opinion, you have to be ready to accept their honest answer. It’s not like you’re asking them if you butt looks fat in those pants…….
Decisions
Here’s one you really need to be honest with yourself about.
Decide what is truly urgent. Rather than think, “I HAVE to get this done now!” Try putting it off. Haha, Surprise!! Yes, put it off , walk away and think about it.
Most “urgent” needs really aren’t that urgent (excluding life or death emergencies).
Relax
Have you ever heard this: “Be, rather than do”…. Go and try this for an evening.
Think. Pray. Go and relax in a chair, even doze if you want.
AH, laughing at that last one huh? Well, then let me ask you again; who is really in charge of YOUR time……
See you tomorrow
I would love to hear from you, your thoughts and comments. I would also like to hear of any topic suggestions you would like discussed here that may interest you.
*NOTE: All comments are kept confidential.
