3 Secrets to Finding More Time For Yourself -- According to Shopping!

Dalai Lama once said: "Man sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future, that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present of the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

Which brings us to the subject of time. Have you ever wished for a few more hours in the day? Why is it that some people seem to get everything done effortlessly and others feel that time constantly eludes them?

Rather than labeling yourself or beating yourself up, realize that time management is an area of your life that you can strengthen. Like a new muscle, it takes practice and repetition to make it stronger.  Here are my 3 questions to ask yourself that will help you manage your time:

1. Are your priorities getting you the results you want?  
Just like in shopping, there are usually limited amounts of time and money available, so we need to prioritize the spending. Maybe you are very organized at work, but burned out because you don't know how to make time for yourself. Maybe you are naturally a less organized person who knows how to relax, but you are dissatisfied because you aren't fulfilling your goals and dreams. 

It is important to first recognize which type you are and whether your style is allowing you to have the life you really want. Prioritize the important things and learn to use the time you have more efficiently and effectively. The secret is working smarter, not harder.

2. Is your work lacking purpose? 
Would you be spending money on clothes that did suit you? What about time? We often drag our heels or use our time inefficiently because we are bored, unengaged and uninspired. The most effective people will tell you that they love what they do and are aligned with a greater purpose. When it comes to managing your time, you may need to ask the larger questions, "Am I doing what I love to do? Am I doing something meaningful to me?"


3. Are you procrastinating on purpose?
Sometimes when we shop, we find things that are too expensive and we don't know how we can afford to pay right away for. Like a car, for example. This is when we break down the cost in small increments and pay over time. Same with time. We usually procrastinate when a task seems too daunting, too large or too complex, or when we feel we won't be able to handle it. When you get that "deer in the headlights" feeling, try "chunking": break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps and start with the first one. 

As you strengthen your new time management muscle, keep your focus on getting organized so that you can live the life you came here for. Instead of being a chore, good time management will be your ticket to having more fun, greater satisfaction and a vibrant, exciting life.


TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

• Schedule time for yourself as you schedule your other appointments. 
• Under-schedule your time: When you estimate how long something will take, add on a third of that time.
• Practice the art of intelligent neglect: Eliminate trivial tasks
• Prioritize what is most important and do that first
• Consider your biological prime time: At what time of day do you work best? Plan to do your most important work at that time.
• Practice saying NO
• Ask for help and delegate.Acknowledge yourself daily for all that you have accomplished