Are you busier than you would like?
There are a few people in my life who, every time I talk to them, sound exasperated about how much they have going on that day, that week, and in their life in general.
Being a person who prioritizes my alone time, admittedly, this is hard for me to relate to, but lately I’ve found myself asking this question: how does one prevent oneself from becoming too busy?
I think the secret comes down to this:
If you don’t protect your time, it will get filled up. It’s simply the way life is!
Below are three ways you can set parameters around your time so it doesn’t get filled up to the extent that you feel there’s no time left for you.
1) Decide how many days/nights you need for yourself
Protecting your time starts with figuring out how many days (or nights) you need for yourself. S,o for example, in my ideal world, I never have more than three social engagements in one week, which ensures that I have more “off nights” than “on nights” and can take care of the introverted person I am! Once you decide on this number, stick to it. If someone wants to make a plan and you’ve already reached your max for the week, schedule the following week.
2) Make sure everything you say yes to is a “heck yes!”
The “heck yes!” test is easy. When you’re asked to do something – anything that takes up your time, close your eyes and picture yourself doing the activity. If you experience a “heck yes!” feeling in your body, you know it’s worth spending your time on. And if not? It’s time to say no. Check out my previous post 10 Ways to Say No if you need encouragement or inspiration.
3) Remember that it’s an iterative process
If you don’t get things right immediately, that’s ok! I’m always learning new ways to better take care of myself, like remembering to keep the day after a vacation free of meetings and plans. As long as you stay committed to learning from your experiences and tweaking your parameters moving forward, you’ll figure out what works for you.
More on Time Management
“I’m too busy!” – 5 Questions to Finally Make a Change
How to Spend Less Time On Your Phone: 5 Ways to Create Space
The Secret to Productivity? Be a Hermit (For a Little While)
