You hear a lot today about the lack of time
we have in our lives. How often have you heard someone or even yourself
say, Where does the time go? or There aren t enough hours in the day
? Our lives have become more demanding and our pace has definitely become
more hurried and frantic.
Where we once thought technology would simplify our lives, in reality,
it has done quite the opposite. Now, don t get me wrong. I love technology
and all the conveniences it has brought to our lives. Think how far the
medical field has progressed because of it. And where would we be without
the internet? I m certainly not suggesting we go back to the days of
using a typewriter and carbon paper. You can be sure this newsletter
would not exist if that was the case.
However, the truth of the matter is we have a lot more control over the
way we spend our time than we think. Just because we have cell phones
does not mean we have to be available 24/7. I remember a time when that
lifestyle was reserved only for doctors. You can shut off your cell phone
while you are driving, food shopping, going for a walk, or having a conversation
with a family member or a dear friend. You don t necessarily have to
answer the phone while eating dinner or enjoying a quiet evening with
a good book. It s usually those pesky marketers calling anyway. If you
would like to start exercising and think you don t have the time, choose
going for a walk after dinner with your spouse rather than sitting home
watching mindless TV. Take your children to the playground and actually
play with them. You will be spending quality time together while getting
fit and healthy. As for multitasking, studies show it is not as productive
as we think. In fact, it leaves us with a sense of dissatisfaction because
we are not fully engaged in the moment. Think of a time when you were
totally immersed in a project or activity. Time just seemed to flow quite
effortlessly.
Living a quality life means living more consciously and with deliberate
intent. Is how you are spending your time aligning with your values and
priorities? Recently, on one of my early Sunday morning runs, I saw a
young father going for a walk, enjoying his cup of Starbuck s coffee
while pushing a stroller with his infant daughter in tow. What a sweet
moment. Now that is time management for the soul.
PRACTICE TIPS:
Begin and end your day with a moment of silence. Instead of waking up
to the news and going to sleep listening to the news, use this time to
read an inspirational passage from a book, pray, journal or just BE.
We need silence on a daily basis just to catch up with ourselves and
connect with Source. While driving in your car, don t automatically turn
on the radio. Schedule time outs throughout your day where you can have
a few minutes to catch your breath and collect your thoughts. Whenever
you feel yourself rushing, deliberately slow down. Take deep breaths
and settle yourself. Place post-it notes where you can see them with
the words BREATHE or SLOW DOWN as a reminder. Practice these tips and
your days will feel much less fragmented.
SUGGESTED READING:
SLOW DOWN TO THE SPEED OF LIFE, Richard Carlson
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