​Three Ways to Make Time for What is Important

Does it feel like you are rushed of your feet with scarcely a moment to pause? How can you slow things down and fit in more of what you want to do? Here are three ways to make time for what is important:
 

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Identify your Priorities
It is easy to fall into a routine of doing, doing, doing. Spend some time out thinking about what is important to you: family, work, exercise, hobbies, friends, study, health, helping others, love, money. Remember there are no wrong answers here. Once you have a clear list of priorities, compare it to where those things sit in your life at the moment.
 
Identify an ideal world and what it would look like when your priorities are in balance.
 
Make a plan
Do you feel you are so busy that they don’t have time to plan? You are forever running from one task to the next and feel overwhelmed with all the plates that you are juggling. Again, step back. Find a quiet moment when you can look at what needs to happen over the next few weeks and what you would like to happen. Just for interest’s sake, where are your priorities that you identified at the beginning of this article? I hope that they are in the ‘needs to happen’ rather than ‘nice to happen list’!
 
Making the time to plan will help you achieve more and will take some of the pressure off. Be realistic about what needs to be done and allocate time for everything no matter how small.
 
Make things non-negotiable
For example, you want to exercise 3 times a week. Find three slots in the next week where you could exercise. Now block them in. Make them non-negotiable just like other commitments that are set in stone such as eating, sleeping and work.
 
Make sure that the non-negotiable items in your week stay that way. Ask yourself what is most likely to stop you doing what you want to do. Remember the obstacles could be caused by your mindset rather than physical tasks. Some people learn to put their needs below everyone else’s and feel guilty if they do anything for themselves.
 
Coaching can be a great way of identifying faulty thinking and helping your change your outlook on life. Looking after yourself mentally and physically is essential. You will be no use to yourself or anyone else if you run out of steam.
 
You will feel happier, balanced, and more productive including what is important to you in your day to day life. It’s a win, win situation!
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