Getting into bed at midnight, I could barely keep my eyes open as I filled in my journal. The week had gone so fast I barely had a minute to document the gratitude I felt for all the blessings in my life. All I knew was that the next few days were looking quite the same – busy with no room for reprieve.
I had filled my calendar up so much so that whenever I was asked to do something, I’d most likely be double-booked and have to find last minute ways to reshuffle. After all, it’s important to see everyone and do everything that you’re asked – isn’t it?
Not really, as I learned.
Each of us has as many hours in our day as Beyonce. That’s actually a caption on a mug I read back in 2014. It was a fair point and well, it’s true. Beyonce achieves so much, travels the world and seems to look a million dollars. Meanwhile, if I don’t have at least 7 hours sleep, I’m likely to fall asleep in my cornflakes and prop myself up on coffee for most of that week.
The thing about Beyonce is that well, I don’t know what her free time looks like. Maybe she sleeps all the hours god sends. Her multiple staff and her family might make her life twenty times easier so that she can live her dreams and perhaps she looks at her time and thinks ” I wish I could get more done”. I just don’t know.
The point is that we haven’t a clue what others time looks like. There are huge differences in the resources they have, the hours they work and what matters most to them. While one person might want to spend all their free time with their family, someone else might sacrifice their time for their career. It all comes down to values and why we do what we do.
Each person looks at their time differently. For me, one of the reasons I gave up my last job was that I wanted more time for me, my friends and family. That’s still a work in progress but in general, I try to prioritise requests from them to spend time.
At the same time, I have friends that will say no to hanging out on a Friday night as they spend that time for themselves and don’t want to leave their comfy sofas. Others spend their weekends building their businesses, hobbies or traveling around the world. I now chunk out part of my weekend to blog and coach so that I live more of my passions.
At this moment, I ask you to consider the below three points when it comes to assessing your time and how you spend it.
*Where are you headed and why?
If you were to look at your life and where you’re headed in one week, one month and one year +, what do you need to get there? Work out your time accordingly and set clear and measurable goals. Be conscious of the time that will take.
*What are your priorities?
Over the past 12 years in particular, I’ve experienced some huge losses in my life and it’s reiterated my focus on family and friends. Therefore, I need to make sure I’m in contact with and spending time with them as much as possible. For you, what’s most important? Is it your spouse? Your siblings? Best friends? If family is a value closer to your heart then be sure to keep it there. Take a look at your calendar and act accordingly.
If your self-care comes first, assess what you’re doing to ensure just that.
*What feels right?
Listen to your gut and your body when it comes to your time. If you’re clocking up appointments and feeling exhausted or anxious then reassess. You only get one chance, use it wisely.
How do you prioritise your time? Comment your tips below x