Do you often tell yourself there is never enough time?
Your schedule is full. It all seems important.
And you are good at getting it all done.
The system must be working well, right?
Well, no.
That system is broken.
I know this because over 70% of us are in a chronic state of overwork, fatigue, and overwhelm.
The system isn’t fun. It is running us into the ground.
We struggle to find time for the things that matter most. The things we want to do.
Yet we aren’t always certain of where our time went. It slips through our hands.
Have you ever looked back at the end of the day, in search of the fruits of your hard labor?
We are tired from the endless list of tasks that keeps us running in circles, even when some of those tasks are things that we enjoy doing.
Reclaiming time and control is a more intentional approach to living. Joshua Becker describes minimalism as “the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.”
This simple standard can be applied to time as well as material possessions.
One way to reclaim your time and reduce overwhelm is to determine your core values.
Identifying what matters most provides a framework for living and for decision-making.
Your values might include a certain level of job recognition, health and wellness, family time, hobbies, connecting with others, education, service, and contribution. Pick three core values that are most important to you right now.
Upon identifying your top three core values, review how your time is currently used. Does your existing calendar reflect your current values?
If someone were to peek at your calendar, would they be able to determine what your values are?
If your calendar is incongruent with your personal values, then it’s time to make some changes.
Change is most effective in tiny, one-degree shifts, so I don’t suggest that you tear up the calendar and start from scratch! Instead, begin by making small changes in your day.
Try scheduling in one activity that better aligns with one or more of your core values. This may require simultaneously releasing a task that is less aligned.
Ultimately, the goal is to structure your days so that the prioritized activities reflect your core values. All other tasks fall into place around those essential activities.
For those of us who are “action-oriented”, this model may feel challenging and uncomfortable. It may seem counterintuitive to slow down in order to feel better, especially if we are used to basing how we feel on what we are able to accomplish.
It may mean that we let go of self-imposed expectations and some of the hustle.
It may mean we practice asking for help.
It may mean we forego the to-do list for rest and rebalancing.
It may mean releasing the notion that everything is ours to do, unassisted.
Time isn’t the problem, is it? Rather, the problem is a misalignment between how you spend your time and what you truly value.
The good news is, you can start shifting that today.
Remember, your core values are unique to you and your family.
Your best life comes from living in a way that honors them.
P.S. If you want help reclaiming your time and energy to enjoy the things that matter most, schedule a free consultation, just for you. Time is never the problem.
Email hello@homegrownpilatesandwellness.com to get started.
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