Time levels the playing field - what are you doing with yours?

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Lois Lavrisa , One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

We all have the same 24/7

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” Carl Sandburg

Every year, there are some dates that cause me to reevaluate what I’ve done with the time given me.

On New Year’s Eve, I think of what I’ve done the past year, what I can do the next year.

Resolutions. Introspection. Hope. Reflection.

I also have a tendency to do the same around my birthday in September. And again on other dates throughout the year. My wedding anniversary. Also on some holidays and certain personal milestone dates. Do I have a propensity for beating myself up for not getting as much done, accomplishing a goal or goals (why haven’t I lost that extra that 10 pounds?!)

Sure. I lament over not achieving a goal or goals. Although I know that it’s not productive.

Regardless of our gender, our income level, our social status…..

Time levels the playing field. We all have the same 24 hours a day.

“An inch of time is an inch of gold but you can’t buy that inch of time with an inch of gold.” Chinese Proverb

How can we make the most of our precious time in our one and only precious life?

Below are some suggestions, from Jay Lickus (Professional Blogger / Realtor / Baby Boomer Advocate / Owner and Developer of Survive55.com)

1. Make time to plan. Use 30 minutes a day to plan how you are going to use your time. If you don’t, you will find yourself running around in circles wasting time. I prefer to use 15 minutes in the morning to set my priorities for the day and 15 minutes at night to set my goals for tomorrow and beyond if needed.2. Remember there are always 1,440 minutes in each day. They do not vary from day to day. If you understand that, you can map out a plan for using them wisely. Appreciate and accept that some of these minutes will be used systematically day-in and day-out for essential tasks (work, calls, etc.), others for personal needs (exercise, relaxation, etc.), and yet others to service physical requirements (eating, sleeping, etc.). It is how you use the remaining minutes that make the difference in your emotional and financial well-being.

3. Include “Energy Management” with your “Time Management.” You can be the best planner ever and have every minute of the day packed with essential tasks, but if you don’t have the energy to complete them properly then it’s all for nothing. Prioritize and plan in time segments that you can handle physically. Don’t wear yourself out.

4. Tackle top priorities first. They may not be the most pleasant, but they are the most important, so engage them when you are the most physically rested and mentally alert.

5. Stay focused. Don’t get distracted by everything that is shiny around you. Constantly remind yourself of the task you are working on at hand. Carry a short list with you on a “post-it” note as a visual reminder. With everything that is going on in the world around us it is very easy to get distracted.

6. Try to touch things only once. Trust your intuition when making decisions, especially on those choices that are not top priorities. Negotiate the task you are working on and complete it before moving on.

7. Learn to say “NO.” Remember, every time you say “yes” to a request, you are in fact saying “no” to something else. Time is yours to use so don’t let someone else use it up for you. You will be surprised how easy it is to deflect non-essential requests for your time by others. Simple things like keeping your door shut while working on priority tasks, not answering the phone, and letting people know that you are too busy will help you find more time for yourself.

8. Slow down and think. I know this sounds counterintuitive to what I am asking you to do in tip #6, but many times it is important to catch your breath before making a decision. Don’t make rash or emotionally-charged decisions. A few minutes clearing your mind, analyzing the situation, and weighing your options will lead to better decisions and less wasted time.

9. Visualize your outcome. Before making a decision or choosing a course of action, start with the ending in mind.

10. Delegate and outsource. Don’t be afraid to let others do things for you. Look at your “to do” list and rather than asking yourself “How do I get this task completed?” ask instead, “How can this task be completed?” It’s a simple change of semantics, but it takes the burden off your shoulders of having to complete every task yourself. Look for help — it’s out there.

Cheers to you and your 24/7:)

Lois