How I Finally Got Control of My Time
I'll admit I was a bit annoyed when I heard that I was spending too much of my day wasting time on things that didn't move the needle for my business. I mean I'm BUSY, I have two kids and absolutely NO time for MYSELF! Sound familiar?!
As entrepreneurs, a mindset shift needs to occur or we will quickly become overwhelmed. Especially in this season of life, of social distancing, where all of our previous supports and 'breaks' are gone, we need to become aware of our time and use it INTENTIONALLY to reset, to refocus, to breathe, to connect to ourselves again.
We need to go from the mentality of ALL or NONE, to ALL or SOMETHING. 15 minutes to sweat, stretch, journal, connect with a friend, start up on that hobby, talk with your partner.
15 minutes is something and IT WILL ADD UP to make a difference. It's true, you have a lot on your plate. It's true that you are pulled in multiple directions. But it's also true that you get to choose; and as soon as you do, time is going to open up.
STEP ONE
For the next two days write down everything that you do. I mean everything! From the time you get up to the time you go to sleep. Write down when you eat, when you watch TV, when you're playing with kiddos and when you're scrolling...
*Pay attention to those transition times. The times you are waiting for something or someone and you grab your phone for a 'quick second' that turns into a 5 minute rabbit hole.
**Most phones have Screen Time apps that monitor screen usage.
STEP TWO
I want you to go back through that list and get real honest about the things that you are doing. Are they optional? If so, do they move the needle towards that goal, hobby, alone time that you wrote down at the beginning? That thing you've been dreaming of doing?
Look at:
Social Media (Pinterest, IG, FB)
T.V. & Netflix, Disney+ ...
Errands
Meal prep & planning
Household tasks
Online shopping
Texting
Now I know, errands, meal prep and household tasks have to get done by someone. But how often do we either do it inefficiently, 'multitask' aka take more time than necessary to complete it OR spend so much time procrastinating that we could have had it done?!
If you still say you have no time, answer me these questions:
Are you caught up on your DVR'd shows? Or have you watched Tiger King? How many online shopping carts are open right now?
Is anyone else capable of doing that task? (it may not be how you want it done initially, but it will get done!).
STEP THREE
If they are even semi- optional, write them down and beside them write
- Delegate, Automate, or Eliminate.
Be honest with yourself. 15 minutes here and there add up!
30 minutes every day = 14 hours/month
60min/day = 28hrs/month
of time JUST for YOU!
Rather than taking 30 minutes every night to debate what's for dinner, how can you meal plan, what apps can simplify this for you?
If your IG scroll isn't pushing you to that goal, its not leaving you refreshed or connected, how can you use that time instead? It's not about doing more, it's about being intentional.
What if you set an alarm (assuming you got sleep) and woke up even 30 minutes before your kiddos?
EXTRA TIPS:
It's not about perfection. It's not about adding more to your already full plate. It's about simplifying. It's about becoming intentional. It's about ditching the overwhelm and reinvesting that time into things that bring you life.
As I mentioned above, check the Screen Time app on your phone to find out how much and where you are spending your screen time.
Meal Plan and Prep- We have just started using Meal Sharing on Apple Family Sharing and it has been a life saver! But whatever method works for you, plan and prep ahead!
Make a little extra supper so that lunch (or the following days' supper is an easy reheat.
Schedule the tasks you want to do, including self-care! How many times do you suddenly have 20min of time between tasks or the stars align and kids are napping at the same time and what happens.... you panic?! You don't know what you should do first and you don't do any of it! Write down your list so when those stars align on a summer solstice, you're ready!
Ask for HELP! It seems like a no brainer but really, when is the last time you asked for help? I know our support systems look different right now but how can your partner pitch in, what can your kids do that you have just always done for them? It took me 4 years to ask for a consistent amount of 'solo' time in the morning. FOUR YEARS!! and guess what..... game changer! Ask your supports for support!!
I know this is no easy task!!
ONE STEP FURTHER:
For the tasks you eliminated, automated or delegated. Choose wisely how you want to fill in those time slot. Is it with connection, reading, learning a new language, taking that course, training for that race, resting or simply connecting to your breath again?
And when the day gets ahead of you. Always, always, always, breathe and give yourself grace.