Overbooked and Overwhelmed,
Besides money, what is the one thing women wish we had more of? Time! Yes, time is a precious gift in today’s world, and many of us struggle to manage it well.
We often overload our schedules with tasks and events, leading to feelings of overwhelm and a lack of time. As a result, we may wish for more time and say things like, “I don’t have enough time for this!”
Don’t fall into the trap of a time-scarcity mindset! Instead of feeling rushed and overwhelmed, embrace the idea that you have the power to manage your time effectively.
Here are three effective strategies to master your time.
Strategy Number 1: Track Your Time
Last year, I read an amazing book by Laura Vanderkam titled 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think. In it, she discusses how we often have a scarcity mindset regarding time. However, when we analyze our activities hour by hour, we realize we actually have more time than we believe. Vanderkam challenges readers to examine at least a week of their lives to understand how they spend their time.
Inspired by this, I kept a journal for two weeks in 2023, documenting everything I did daily—no matter how big or small the activity. It was quite an eye-opener! The experience led me to make significant lifestyle changes to utilize my time better.
Currently, I don’t track my time daily, but I occasionally do so when I feel my schedule is off balance. This practice helps me get back on track.
Strategy Number 2: Create Your Priority List Unapologetically
Once you’ve tracked your time to identify your strengths and weaknesses in time management, it’s time to create your priority list. This is when you need to be ruthless about your priorities. Consider what is truly important and necessary in your life. What activities can you do without?
At one point in my life, my child played soccer, took piano lessons, and practiced drama. Trying to juggle all of these commitments, along with my own responsibilities, became overwhelming. We eventually had to cut some activities to avoid feeling stressed out. It’s not always easy to decide which activities should stay and which should go, but you’ll be grateful for your choices when you’re not rushing from one side of town to the other.
Strategy Number 3: Setting clear boundaries can save relationships.
Establishing boundaries is essential for maintaining healthy relationships. The last thing you want is to disappoint yourself or others by overcommitting to something you can’t do. It’s crucial to say what you mean and mean what you say. Before volunteering for a task or adding another event to your schedule, take a moment to ensure that you can comfortably commit to it. Remember that “no” is a complete sentence if you can’t. You can briefly explain your inability to commit, but try not to over-explain.
Take control of your time!
Knowing how you spend your time can be a game changer. It can boost your confidence and sense of empowerment. Focus your energy on the things that truly matter to you. Be intentional about investing your time into yourself, and don’t hesitate to say no when someone requests that you fit something into your calendar that doesn’t align with your schedule. Take care of yourself !