Time is a funny thing. I used to be the person who always never had ‘time’. I found myself missing workouts, being less productive then ever before, and never having enough hours in a day. Until I read the ‘One thing’. Until I found out that multi-tasking was not productive and in fact it decreases IQ by 40%. I ended up doing two things but neither one very well.
These were the 3 quick and easy ways that helped my time management which gave me more time in my day. This may also help you. I would also highly recommend the ‘One Thing’ to really get into detail.
Tip #1: Time blocking
A block of time you dedicate 100% to your one thing.
Time blocking was literally my game changer. At first I was horrible, I would let anyone and anything distract me from my time block. When I realized this was just a habit and ‘urgent’ matters really could wait until the end of my time block.
Tip #2: Prioritize and pick your values
Okay, so 100% one of my values is to stay healthy because if I am healthy I will do well at my job, have less sick days, I will have longevity and I will be there for my kids when I am older. The list goes on. BUT this was not always a high priority when I first started the business, and even work in this industry. After 6 months of not prioritizing my health I realized I was so stressed, I had myself literally sick. I had no out let and my health was diminishing quickly. Deciding from then that if I was not training, and looking after me I would be spending more time off work then in work and more time trying to get better then already being well. So the 30 minutes that I commit to a day moving and training over the last 2 ½ years has allowed me to work the hours I do and be more effective at work, I rarely get sick, and have not been injured for a very long time. My mentors in life do the same they have their health as a number 1 priority because they know the worth of it. It’s literally priceless, and anyone who has been down the road of being unwell would know this. At the time you would give anything to be well again, but then once we get better its like we forget. I would highly recommend having your health as priority, without it you won’t be able to look after others. What ever you pick as your priority, make time daily for it.
Tip #3: Stop saying yes
I am such a Yes woman. I lately I have been looking long and hard why I do that. Lately, once a day I say no thanks. It’s the hardest thing ever, but rather than doing something that does not really fit my time block, I say no. It can be hard especially if you run your own database and you won’t get paid unless you do it. Eventually, it will pay off in ten-fold because you’re able to give more to the others and keep healthy physically and mentally as you won’t be burnt out and running around on a rat wheel doing the same thing all the time. Breaking this habit can be hard. So hard. Start committing yourself to your appointment of health. This may mean you have to say no to something that blocks your time at the gym, or your walks but remember it will pay off in ten-fold and trust that all will always be okay. If you know you have lots going on, and more work coming up, keep to your commitment of your time block. Making time for your health that half an hour I promise you have it. It may involve waking up earlier but that’s where you will find more time and an increased level of productivity.
