Creating Time Freedom
Many people think of their time management skills in relationship to their time organization device. Yes… your calendar, Outlook, or PDA can be an extremely valuable tool in helping you to organize your time, but those things are not your time, nor do they have any power to determine where you use your time.
Time Management is a mindset. And the way you look at and value the hours and minutes of each day. Today I have several simple ideas that can revolutionize your experience of time freedom.
When you hold onto the mindset that there is a shortage of time, that it is scarce… that is what it becomes. When you consciously choose to look at your time in a state of abundance, it becomes abundant.
Who determines where you spend your time and how you view it? Obviously you do. If you want to break old patterns, you need to reframe some of your beliefs.
While your time is a limited commodity, it is not a scarce one.
Think of it in this way, no-other commodity automatically regenerates itself. If lose your money, it is gone until you earn it again. If you ruin a friendship, it isn’t guaranteed to return. When you health is compromised, it takes an incredible effort to restore it. If your time is not utilized, only that opportunity is gone, not its future value. What other commodity can you waste or abuse and wake up the next morning with a replenished supply?
This is not to say your time isn’t precious. I view my time as one of my most valued resources. That doesn’t mean it has to be limited. Our greatest intangible resources are never limited – they just require focused energy to be harnessed.
Here are my favorite three tips to increase my time freedom:
1. Focus on the present moment.
It never ceases to amaze me how productive and stress free life is when lived in the present moment. It is my experience that all stress lives in the past or future.
2. Clearly define what your priorities for the day are and stick to them.
3. Do not overload your schedule.
Less things on my to-do list often means more gets done.
What are your favorite tips that free up your time? Post a comment below.
Have fun, take control of your life, and…
Be Free!
Eric Plantenberg
President
Thank you for this Eric! This is the issue our clients always ask me about. First you need to be efficient in remembering your to-do list, then you need to manage your time well to get it done. This is a great perspective.
Comment by Loren — March 25, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
I am glad you shared your tips! On the lines of your points 2 & 3, I would like to add that you should know that it’s okay to say “No”. It is so easy to overload my schedule and to get off track when I feel the need to ‘people please’ and say “Yes” to everything. When I value my time/schedule, I am choosy about what I will allow to be added at the last minute. In the end, that delivers better results to everyone involved. Just say NO
Comment by Nickole — March 27, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Nickole… That is a great point, thanks for sharing!
Comment by eric — March 27, 2008 @ 12:20 pm