Doing Less in More Time
Over the years, the compelling challenge of time, priorities,
and life balance has been a frequently mentioned concern of
individuals. Our lives have sped up so much that we often
feel that we are losing track of who we are. And, in our
rush to achieve 'more' in less time, the things that really
are most important to us seem to always drop to the bottom
of the priority list. We often approach our daily to-do's
thinking that if we can just cross every completed task off
our list, we might find some for the important things, but
- given the complexity and demands of every-day life - most
of us find it difficult to get everything done. You can certainly
make a renewed effort to achieve more in less time, or you
might actively work to discover the real secret of life: how
to do less in more time. How you spend your time reflects
your priorities and what is important to you. Rather than
composing your daily list of to-do's list based on what seems
most urgent, or what you've failed to do the previous day,
make sure you schedule at least one thing that reflects your
personal values. Focusing attention on how you spend your
time can bring new energy to every aspect of your life; instead
of efficiency, aim for integration and balance in your life.
As a life coach, I have often observed the conflict that arises
for people between Chronos time - time related to getting
things done (agendas, tasks, schedules) - and Kyros time -
time related to process, deep listening, relaxation, and understanding
that the time it takes is the time it takes. Take a good look
at your work habits. Are there ways you can restructure how
you spend your time to be more productive in a shorter time
period, to implement better ways of doing things, to see new
approaches to performing tasks? When you have more space,
you conversely have more time. If you clear any clutter in
your living and workspaces, and create pleasing environments
that inspire you, time will automatically feel expanded. The
more time we can spend in Kyros time, the more expansive and
elastic time becomes. This is the kind of time we lived in
when we were children. Time did not have the meaning for us
then of clock hours, commitments, appointments, to-do's. These
are the things that chop up our time into Chronos time, and
make it seem short and hectic. Perform a self-audit on how
you manage your time to focus your attention on how you want
to be
spending your hours and your days. Start thinking of your
time as a "return on investment". Aim to spend more
time in Kyros time by doing less in more time. It's all about
your state of mind. Remember: life is just one long time line,
and it's too short and too precious to be focused mainly on
just getting more things done. Here are six steps to help
you start doing less in more time:
1. Slow Down Begin to slow down your pace. Take a yoga class
or go for a walk. Get in touch with the rhythm of your breath,
and slow it down for a few minutes regularly. This will relax
your body and your mind.
2. Set GoalsWhen we know where we're going, it's easier to
make the decisions on how we will get there, and to make the
important choices on what to do and not to do. Formulate some
long range goals that can serve as a compass for your daily
decisions.
3. ChooseMake decisions about what is most important for you
to do, and how you want to spend your time. Choose to say
no.
4. PrioritizePrioritize your choices in order of importance.
Choose activities that will give you a sense of belonging
and of feeling grounded, balanced, connected, and any other
values that are important to you.
5. Let GoLet go of 50% of your commitments. Look at your calendar
to see where you're over-scheduled, and eliminate or start
to say no to new engagements. Find ways to delegate or let
go of items on your to-do list.
6. Clear The ClutterCreate time to clear the clutter, the
piles of paper, the closets, and remove all the distractions
that get in the way of your daily life. Eliminating clutter
in your physical environment will free up energy for you personally,
which in turn will expand your feeling of time. If you feel
like you don't have the time to spend doing this, consider
hiring someone to help you get organized. Then you can start
with a clean slate.
About the author:
Jan Marie Dore is a Professional Certified Coach who supports
female executives and professionals in living a high quality,
more fulfilling life. Visit www.janmariedore.com
