Time: never seems to be enough does there?

Let’s take an honest look at your life and where you are
spending your time.

Create a pie chart by drawing a circle, draw a big circle.
Now plot out the different areas of your life and draw a “slice”
in your pie chart for each, such as self, family, friends, children,
vocation, hobbies, fitness, spiritual growth, computer, reading,
TV, phone, visiting, shopping, etc. Each “slice” should honestly
represent the time you spend on each. For instance half your pie
might be for your vocation or children, a quarter slice might be
for your friends, etc. You can make one for a day, week or
month.

Now take a good look at your pie chart. Are your “slices”
balanced? Probably not.

What does your pie chart say to you as far as where all your
time is being consumed and with whom or on what?

What areas do you need to work on – need to change – to gain
better balance of your time? Do you see areas that you might be
devoting too much time to and other areas you might be
neglecting? What’s standing in your way from changing?

Time Robbers
How much time are you wasting watching TV?
How much time are you wasting on the computer?
How much time are you wasting talking on the phone?
How much time are you wasting visiting the neighbors?

If you reduce just one of the above by one hour per day, in one
week you gain 7 hours. In one month you gain 30 hours. In one
year you gain two weeks. And if you reduce all four of the above
by one hour per day you gain back 4 hours a day, 28 hours (one
day and four hours) a week, and 112 hours (4 and a half days) a
month.

Whom or what are your time robbers?

What would you rather be doing with those hours? Hopefully
spending some quality time with yourself, family, children or
friends.

What areas of your life are spinning out of control or out of
control perhaps because you don’t have routines or schedules in
place? Yes I know, sounds like the military, having to have,
create and abide by routines and schedules. Yet honestly folks, if
you can create some routines and schedules you will find your
life running more smoothly and you might even have more
energy, especially if you add ‘me’ time.

Are you spending time with yourself? Taking care of yourself? I
know, I’ve heard it all, “I need to do this and that.” “I should be
doing this or that.” “I have to do this or that.” “There are not
enough hours in the day for ‘me’ time.”

Let me ask you this: If you’re not taking time for yourself and
taking care of your needs and wants, who will?

If you’re not spending time on yourself you will eventually
burnout or worse, lose your own individuality. Maybe this has
already happened to you. I hope not.

We all need ‘me’ time, alone time. Even if it’s a few minutes to an
hour a day or week. A soak in the tub, a walk around the block,
sitting outside, daydreaming by the window, taking a class, what
ever it is you are missing or yearning for, stop and look at your
schedule and make a date with yourself this month for some ‘me’
time.

Finding a balance of spending time for yourself, family, friends
and children isn’t difficult if you plan, set boundaries and follow
through.

Planning
When is the best day and time for you to have some ‘me’ time? I
discovered Sunday early evenings was the best day and time to
soak in a bubble bath, my favorite ‘me’ time.

Setting Boundaries
It’s okay to set boundaries. Are you? Or do you say yes to
everyone and everything except yourself?

Saturday and Sunday is generally my family time. The days I
spend with my husband, children and grandchildren. I generally
do not turn on my computer on Sundays, unless nothing is
planned or the weather is bad and then I might ‘plug in’. And I
generally won’t answer my business phone on Sundays. I’ve set
my boundaries, yet sometimes flexible, and it does take practice
because you are developing new habits, same with planning.

Follow Through
This can sometimes be difficult, especially if it’s ‘me’ time and if
others want or need your attention. Put your times on your
calendar, as you would any other important appointment and
keep your appointments.

Keep your pie chart in a notebook and do a new one every
month to help assist you in tracking where you’re spending your
time, what you need to adjust and watch your pie chart and life
become more balanced throughout the coming months. You’ll
know you’ve achieved the balance you’re looking for once your
“slices” are more evenly distributed.
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Janet Hall is a Certified Professional Organizer,
Certified Pyramid Feng Shui Practitioner, Speaker, and Author
and can help you regain control of your life, your time, your
stuff, and your environment. Organizing By Phone and in person
at http://www.overhall.com

Copyright (c) 2005 OverHall Consulting
P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676
All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy,
or distribute so long as this copyright notice and full information
about contacting the author is attached.