Time is finite! You can’t get more than what you’ve got. Unlike finances, where you can make more money, you can never truly get more time.
Managing finances has always been a challenge for me; a challenge that has frazzled me just like getting organized frazzles others. As I assessed my situation, I asked myself, “how come I can organize myself, two children, a business and a roster of clients, but have trouble getting a grip on my finances?” This was a tough question to answer, but not wanting to have this issue looming over my head constantly, I decided it’s time to “get real” and work toward a solid solution.
As with time management, I started with what I’ve got, i.e. my monthly income. Then I made a list of all my expenses. Following so far? (For some this may seem elementary, but sometimes a new perspective can help you see what you didn’t once before). Well, after making the list of expenses, I realized that I needed to earn more money, which means booking more clients. Okay, so I can do that.
Now with time management, you’ll want to make a list of all the commitments and activities you are committed to each week, including food shopping, laundry, sleeping, time with family, etc. (factoring in your ability to multi-task, for example, running the washer and dryer while grocery shopping online…again, this is a perhaps part of the new perspective). After making this list, it may become truly apparent that the reason you’re only getting 4 hours of sleep each night is that your over-booked and in order to get 7-8 hours of sleep (ladies, this is important to maintain that youthful glow), you may need to either delegate, farm-out, multi-task to get more done within a shorter period of time, or consider letting go of something.
It’s difficult to admit that we cannot be Superwoman. I don’t know about you, but I’ll gladly leave that job to someone else these days. My kids will remember me for being there (or not) and not how wonderfully I showered hundreds of people with my presence at an event that means absolutely nothing to them. Don’t get me wrong, my ego is not completely in check: I get my beauty sleep because the thought of growing old gracefully is something I resist on a daily basis.
So jot down your responsibilities (with time frames attached) and see where you can optimize your time. Perhaps you do laundry on Sunday’s and while the washer and dryer are going, you pay bills and return phone calls. Or consider enlisting the help of your children and have them empty the dishwasher (the initial training could take some time and patience, but benefit you in the end).
Make time for you!
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