Blogger Carla Kay White reflects on how she “found time” by transforming her mindset about being overwhelmed.
… it occurred to me that I’m feeling overwhelmed because that’s precisely the message I’m putting out in the world. I repeat it all day long in different forms “I have no time…” or “I wish I could, but I’m busy…” or “gotta rush…”
But what would happen if I simply told myself, “I have all the time in the world”?
I repeated this to myself anytime I felt rushed. Someone stopped me to chat, I had time. Working late, no problem. Caught behind a slow driver, I chilled and enjoyed the view. In the end it actually worked. I created time.
By sending out a new message “I have time” I’m relaxing, finding a new rhythm and living in the moment. I’m focusing on one thing at a time instead of ten different things. As a result, I get more accomplished, do a better job, and truly do have more time.
So if you constantly feel overwhelmed, ask yourself—are you really? Or is it just a conditional thought that you repeated so often to yourself, you believe it and live it? Just maybe you too can magically create time through your thoughts.
How to Create More Time
The feeling of being overwhelmed is primarily a lack of sense of priority over what we need to do. Follow my three-step process for better time management.
- Time Logging: Follow this simple exercise to develop an idea of how you spend time currently.
- Time Analysis: Tally up your time logs, analyze how you actually use your time, and recognize non-productive tasks and activities.
- Time Budgeting: Follow this simple process to list your life’s values and priorities. Then, create a time budget to help you center your actions on the truly important aspects of your life and career.