10 Ways to Take Back Your Life

Do you have enough time & energy to do what you enjoy?

What if you had 4 more hours each week?

I'm listening lately…really listening to the people around me. Mostly, I''m listening to busy professionals – physicians, healthcare leaders, corporate professionals, small business owners. What I'm hearing leaves me with both sadness & optimism.

I feel sadness, because there seems to be a general theme in these conversations (besides the price of gasoline!). A theme of a frenetic pace & loss of control over lifestyle. I have optimism, because there is an answer.

These highly successful & passionate people on top of their professional game, so to speak consistently speak of something missing.

Of course, their wishes are the same as everyone else…to:

• lose weight
• relax
• increase financial security
• improve health
• exercise more
• eat better
• strengthen relationships

and a myriad of other hopes…

But, when I listen closely, our conversations seem to boil down to one essential element:

“I don’t have the time!”

Can you relate?

If you can, I humbly offer these 10 tips to take back some time & therefore, a little of your life.

1. Unschedule – eliminate unnecessary commitments – ask yourself, “is this activity serving my life goals or purpose?”
2. Systemize – an example is the R.A.F.T. method of organizing papers (Read, Act, File, Toss).
3. Limit internet surfing & TV watching to a defined time (use an actual timer for this as it can easily get out of control).
4. De-clutter – pick one space (a drawer or cabinet, etc.), purge & organize.
5. Slow down – this may sound counter-intuitive, but rushing usually creates a situation in which more time is spent to accomplish the same task (think about rushing around in the morning, spilling coffee on yourself, looking for your keys…)
6. Make a list, but keep it small. A To-Do list should be no more than 10 items. If it is more, evaluate each item & determine whether the item can be delegated or deleted.
   
7. Set limits & boundaries – learning to say an appropriate, “no” frees up the time & energy to say an enthusiastic “YES!”
8. Exercise & eat well – these are amazing energy producers.
9. Choose Carefully - avoid difficult people & situations. Not only are these time consuming, they’re energy consuming.
10. Take mini-breaks. A little sunshine or deep breathing can do wonders to re-energize your day.

I propose that with motivation, effort & dedication, it is possible to re-capture a minimum 4 hours per week.

How will you spend your 4 hours?

Is there something you'd love to be doing that is worth finding an extra 4 hours?

Are you gaining something from NOT finding your 4 hours?

Despite redesigning my life over the past year, I imagine I can find an additional 4 hours to spend on joyful activities.


I'm off & running!


Coming with me?


Have a great week!


Kim