Have you thought about how you take charge of time? After I read Time Management from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern, I had some revelations about several aspects of my relationship with time that I had not been fully aware of, things that are now clearer to me.
• I had to learn some technical approaches to better time management
For example, a long list of things to do in one day is not practical or realistic. I began to focus on one or two things to do each day, in addition to work. Even if I spent 15 to 30 minutes on them, I made progress.
• Relationships are just as important, or more important, than my to-do list
I wanted to spend more time with my dad, who at the time was turning 94 and was in assisted living. That was one of my priorities. As I honored that priority, I also spent more time with other family members as we gathered for meals and outings together. This was not a totally unselfish act of love because I learned so much more about my dad and myself over the last several years because of the quality and quantity of time spent with my father. When he died a couple of years later, I was so grateful for having special time together.
• Some of the emotional issues regarding time have become clearer to me
At a very young age, I learned that staying busy and being productive were valued by my parents’ generation. I now realizing that the “being busy all the time” mindset was standing in the way of being present and relaxing at an event or in just being where I am in my life.
• Done is better than perfect
I have found that my perfectionistic tendencies keep me from accomplishing goals that are important to me. Along with perfectionism goes the fear of failing, of not being perfect.
• “Good enough” is somewhat of an alien concept for me
This perfection/good enough bind can be daunting. I’m finding that meditation, better time management, and incorporating more of Julie’s suggestions are helping me to work through these obstacles. I call this the perfectionistic fear of failure/success challenge and I am rising to the occasion.
Take charge of time whether you are still working, retired, or semiretired. You might be under the illusion that you have all the time in the world. Then you wake up one morning and find that time is slipping away. Take charge of your life and your time and try some of Julie Morgenstern’s suggestions:
1. Keep a day planner or digital calendar with at least one priority per week that you can commit to accomplishing. Get a coach or friend to hold you accountable.
2. Chunk out the time you need – one to two hours or one half-day to work on a project, go to the gym, or spend time with loved ones.
3. Look at the aspects of your life—externally and internally—that are holding you back from using the precious time you have. Then get started on setting priorities.
4. Use the six life arenas of career/work, family, health, self-care, leisure, and personal development to establish your priorities and put your time where your attention is. If you aren’t sure, the checklist “What are your top priorities for retirement?” might help.
5. Follow through. You will be much happier and you will make your world a better place to live in.
Take charge of time and make your time count.