Hey friends,
That quote from Annie Dillard that I shared in the subject line has always stuck with me.
Can you BELIEVE we are almost through the first month of 2021? Damn that went fast.
Do you find yourself asking where the time goes?
I’m always looking for ways to simplify and save time. Most of us are rushed and terminally running on the proverbial hamster wheel. We end up spending our whole weekend cleaning house and playing catch-up, only to be exhausted by Monday morning.
How many of you frequently say to yourself – I have all the time in the world, I have all the time to myself that I need, and plenty of time for play and rest?
If that sounds like you, then share your secret please!
But if you’re tight on time like many women today, I encourage you to try this on for size.
You may know right away what you need to eliminate from your to-do list, or it may take some time. As you go through the day, ask yourself if each task is really necessary, and if so, if someone else could do it to free up some time for you. Ask yourself how this task serves you, your family or your work. Is it just habit?
It’s easy to let time sucks whittle away our day without even realizing it .
Now be aware this may require a mental shift for you. Notice your reaction and inner dialogue:
“I need to do this, no one will do it as well as me,” or “It won’t be done the way I like it to be done,” or “It’s just easier if I do it myself…….” You may need to relax your standards a bit.
Delegating may require a little bit of training, and a lot of patience.
Also, the activity to delegate might not be something that you’re doing today, but reflect on your typical schedule and your daily activities. Perhaps it’s something at work. Do you find yourself doing things just because they’ve always been done? Because you haven’t gotten around to finding an easier or more efficient way to do them?
Last week in working with one of my buiness coaching clients, I wa reminded of an experience years ago with a new manager who decided to stop sending all the monthly reports the previous manager had prepared. I thought this was a risky move. “If it’s important, someone will come asking for it,” he explained. Sure enough, he was able to reduce the paper work about 3/4 and only produce the essential reports. That certainly freed up time to do more innovative work and focus on priorities.
The No. 1 excuse women give for not exercising, not taking better care of themselves, and not having enough balance in their lives is lack of time.
It’s TIME we took a serious look at how we’re spending this precious resource and take charge!
Let’s not get to the end of February and wonder where the heck it all went.
Be well,
Kristen