Making Time

Have you ever been to some kind of wonderful conference or class and left feeling totally inspired and motivated to make some changes?  Perhaps you even took notes on what was being shared.  Then you went home and did...…absolutely nothing?  I have.  Plenty of times.  

I put my notes on the desk thinking I will get started on it soon.....but soon never comes, and before I realize it the inspiration and motivation are gone.  When I do finally go back and read those notes perhaps months (or years) later, I can scarcely remember what it was I wanted to do.  Opportunity lost.  

What could you do differently that would allow you to actually take the action you WANT, at the time when you want it? 

May I share with you what finally worked for me?

It's called Time Blocking.  This is a technique in which you divide your day into blocks of time.  Each block is dedicated to accomplishing a specific task, or group of tasks, and only those specific tasks.  Instead of keeping an open-ended to-do list of things you'll get done as you're able, you start each day with a concrete schedule that lays out what you'll work on and when. (todoist.com) 

I started doing this a couple of weeks ago after feeling frustrated, and I have been absolutely SHOCKED at the results!  I'm a pretty diligent list person, so I didn't think it was going to make much difference when I decided to try time blocking, but the significance has been HUGE! 

Basically I blocked off time for things that were important to me, such as exercise, working on my business, time with kids/grandkids, personal development time, and free time.  Like I said, I went in with some skepticism, but found that I actually have SO MUCH more time doing time blocking than lists.  I am kind of mind blown.

So, what does all this have to do with following through on what you were inspired and motivated to do? Here's what: When you block off time for "personal development" each day, or each week, then when that time comes, you already have the space set aside and something to work on.  That's when you make it happen!  

I found that instead of wondering what to do during my "personal development" time, I started thinking of more and more things I wanted to do. I felt movement within myself in a positive direction, and that is a GREAT feeling!

Now, I can hear all you moms with kids out there saying, "That might work when it's just you, but that could never work for me with everyone in the house pulling at my time.  I can't get two minutes to myself all day!"  I hear you.  I've been there.  I had seven kids doing the very same thing.  And they are your first priority, and you do have to be flexible when it comes to kids.  This is where boundaries come into play.  

Instead of time blocking your whole day, just start with one thing; maybe it's personal time.  Figure out where to put it in your day.  Before kids get up?  After kids go to bed?  In the middle of the day while children are gone, having movie time, or quiet time in their rooms for a designated period of time?  If you don't build it in and put a boundary around it, it won't happen.  Also consider how long it should be.  Is 15 minutes enough?  30 minutes? or more?  Can you get a spouse or older child to be in charge during your time, and handle the inevitable emergencies? Where there is a will, there's a way.  Put your brain to work for a solution and one will surface.

There really is a way to implement the things you feel inspired and motivated to do, right now, at this time of your life.  You can make it happen.  I believe in you. Go YOU!