Do you have an unhealthy relationship with time?
You’d be shocked at how many people say they’re going to come to something… and then just don’t show up.
THAT is one example of a poor relationship with time – of being “time-broke”.
So is:
- Being late.
- Forgetting things because you’re rushing.
- Overworking and under-enjoying your life.
- Peacing out on commitments at the last possible second.
The truth is… time is our most valuable asset.
There’s a beautiful poem I heard… it goes:
“Time is money – but money can’t make no time.”
Ok maybe “poem” is a bit of a stretch.
It’s actually a song with Justin Bieber and DJ Khaled. #anuthaone
But it still works, IMO.
Anyway… as valuable as time is, it’s actually a major source of stress for many of us.
We never seem to have enough of it to do what we wanna do.
It goes by so fast… and yet we waste A LOT of it on the daily.
So how do you actually take steps to create more time… release your stress and compression about it… and use your precious time for things you actually LOVE to do?
That’s what we’re exploring today.
How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Time
Step 1: Shift your mindset about time.
The first thing to creating a better relationship with time is to realize that you’re in full control of your time.
Even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
This is a mindset shift.
Which gets to happen before you take any practical steps to reorganize and maximize your time.
That’s why my friend, Marie Forleo, and I are gonna help you bust through this “I don’t have time” myth – and create a healthy relationship with time.
Based on what’s important to YOU. While still completing all the tasks, to-dos, and adulting things on your plate.
You’ll be able to do this by getting your ticket to our private “podcast party” – where I’ve set aside a BTS ticket for you in our virtual greenroom.
Get Your Life Back
Simple solutions to take control of your time, shift your mindset + get.it.all.done
Wednesday, September 28th
10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern
Once you know where your time goes + create a new relationship with time…
You’ll become…
🌞 Calmer, more present, less reactive – able to handle last-minute curveballs with grace + ease.
💜 A better friend – ‘cause even if they don’t tell you this to your face, being late makes people feel disrespected, unloved, and unworthy.
💰 More successful – ‘cause you’ll be able to see the big picture better, not just scrambling to put out fires or only finishing what’s in front of you.
💪 A stronger leader – whether that’s as a role model to your kids or in your role at work/your community, when you conquer your calendar, you exude confidence.
Step 2: Get crystal clear on where your time actually goes.
Have you ever documented how long things take you?
I finally did this once I was sick enough of rushing into my morning workout class by the skin of my teeth.
(BTW, how gross is that saying? Makes me wanna brush my teeth LOL)
Anyway, to break the cycle, I decided to actually track all the steps of getting to and from my morning class.
And what I learned is… my 50-minute workout actually takes me about 90 minutes.
Once I factor in getting ready… filling my water bottle up… drive time…
Getting up the stairs to the studio… getting myself situated… then taking the actual class.
And then the whole process of getting back home.
Finding my car in the parking lot. Driving back. Hitting every light. Maybe grabbing a juice on the way home…
That 50-minute class time is doubled.
Once I realized this is how long it actually took me to do something that is vital for my health and wellbeing… I got to adjust my approach.
Right before or after my workout, I give myself a buffer.
Which means I get to be relaxed and present when I commit my time to someone else. Or to working on my biz.
You get to do this too.
Spend some time (ha!) documenting how long things legit take you.
Think your spaghetti dinner takes 20 minutes? You may find it actually takes you 40 once you factor in the prep, cooking, eating, and cleaning up.
Think a quick run to the grocery store is an hour? Track it. Prove it to yourself.
Or, if you’re like my husband, you’re convinced running the vacuum is a 4-hour job?
Set a timer and do it. I bet you’ll find that it actually takes more like 25-30 minutes.
And then you can spend the next 3.5 hours looking for another excuse. LOL
Step 3: Use time blocking.
Once you’ve realized that YOU are in full control of your time… and you know how long things take you…
You get tactical.
By now, you’ve probably heard me singing the praises of a technique I personally use called Time Blocking.
It’s where you organize your calendar into blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks.
For example, 2 hours for grocery shopping and errands every Tuesday.
Or, as I’ve mentioned, 90 minutes for working out – ‘cause I discovered my old 50-minute workout time block was wayyyyyy off.
Which is what led me to constantly being rushed and stressed the eff out.
BTW, here’s some actual footage of me through the streets of Boulder heading to my HIIT class:
When I lived life this way, I actually created a really contentious relationship with time.
Until I realized… it’s not a time problem. It’s a ME problem.
And while I can’t control TIME… I can control me. And how I choose to approach time.
I get to be honest with myself. And use my calendar as a tool to help me fit in all.the.things I want to do.
Which includes lunch with girlfriends. Taking my daughter to and from school daily. Having big pockets of focus time for my work – ‘cause growing my biz and supporting my dreams is important to me.
I realized I don’t have to choose between work or a personal life.
I get to have both…
And use time blocking as the technique to do it.
Step 4: Give yourself bigger time blocks as needed.
There’s one major complaint people have about why time blocking doesn’t work for them and their lifestyle…
Is that it feels restrictive.
So I’m gonna offer you a new time blocking technique I think may help you out more.
Especially if you are someone who needs a bit more time to create flow in your day.
Give yourself bigger blocks.
Now, I know this goes against what I’ve taught you in the past about not making your time blocks longer than 2 hours.
And that’s because there’s an exception: when you’re CREATING.
I’m talkin’ about:
- Brainstorming.
- Researching.
- Coming up with new ideas.
- Producing.
Then you should definitely give yourself longer chunks of time.
Because unlike things like answering emails… attending meetings… running to Target… or doctor’s appointments…
(Which are very tactical and don’t require real focus or the creative side of your brain)
When you are in creation mode, you actually need MORE time to slip into that flow state.
Here’s an example.
Have you ever tried to write something (shoot something… create something that requires your artistic, creative side) in short pockets of time between meetings or calls?
It’s virtually impossible.
That’s why giving yourself bigger time blocks for these creative, flow tasks is a way to use time blocking to suit what you actually have on your plate.
Time blocking isn’t meant to pin you down or hold you back.
It’s meant to keep you focused and intentional.
So if you’ve tried time blocking in the past… I urge you to give it another shot.
But this time… design your day, your way.
Approach your calendar in a way that feels good to you.
Step 5: Decide that you are the designer of your day – and own it.
The truth is, you are the designer of your day.
And yet most of us let others dictate what we do and when.
And I gotta tell ya, it’s actually why most of us are so frustrated and annoyed with our calendars.
So what if you took back the power?
What if you decided what you did and when… and then let other people work within those boundaries?
Here’s an example:
I’ve decided that between 10am and 1pm, that’s my focus time.
So I have a 3-hour time block on my calendar, usually 2-3x per week.
What I focus on in those windows changes – but I never book meetings or calls in that window.
That is MY time to focus and get shit done.
Of course, I will be flexible if absolutely nothing else works and it’s literally the ONLY time someone can meet with me or squeeze me into an appointment…
But 99% of the time, that’s “me” time for growing my biz.
And you get to do this too.
I want you to remember… you don’t have to accept someone’s first suggestion.
Like, let’s say you’re on the phone booking a doctor’s appointment. Or a hair appointment, whatever.
And they throw out a time that just is super inconvenient to you.
Like, it’s in the middle of your day. And you know it means you’re gonna lose ALL productivity if you accept it.
Have you ever simply said… “Actually that’s not ideal for me. Do you have anything before 10am?”
Or whatever time is ideal for YOU and YOUR flow.
Most of us – especially women – have grown up with the idea that we need to be accommodating.
To bend over backward and people-please. Even if it’s to our own detriment.
So let’s break this habit. ‘Cause it IS a habit.
And it’s a bad one – especially if you’ve got a career… or you wanna start a side hustle you’re passionate about.
Be protective of your time so you are productive.
Don’t let other people control your time.
Don’t give up your peace for the sake of “making it nice” for someone else.
I’m telling you this to empower you.
Your calendar is a reflection of your priorities.
Time blocking is simply a technique to help you organize your time and remain productive.
And you get to tweak your time-blocking approach so it works for not only how you actually live your life… but for how you WANT to live your life.
And approach your time not from the place of “I can’t” or “I don’t have the time…”
But from a place of “HOW can I?”
We all have “how can I” inside of us. We just need to remember this.
And actually apply this mindset in our daily lives – especially when it comes to our time.
Marie Forleo and I are spending a ton of TIME (ha!) in our upcoming event talking about this.
Plus specific hacks to intentionally create more breathing room in your life. Without blowing your responsibilities… or giving up FUN.
You’ll actually get to create MORE space for fun…
And still have time for your goals, your career, or your biz… and take care of yourself and YOUR needs on the daily.
It’s all possible. It’s all totally doable too.
We are living examples.
That’s what we’re talking about in our Get Your Life Back “podcast party”.
Which takes place ONLINE on Wednesday, September 28th at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern.
If you’re ready to finally eliminate the stress and constriction you feel about time…
Stop procrastinating… and create a foolproof system for YOUR time and YOUR lifestyle…
I’ll see ya there.
XO,
Hayley