Where do you spend your time?

You might not realize this, but you have all the time in the world, and so do I.  The one thing you can control is your schedule. 

You might want to look at your schedule periodically, so you can adjust it.

Take a close look at your calendar to see what it is you value the most.  You might be surprised to see where you are spending your time. 

You might say you value your family, but then spend every free moment working even when its family time  You might say you value your health, but have no time or use the excuse of being busy to not really take care of your health.  You might value being with friends or having some fun, but never do those things. 

You might not know that you are not actually living your values until you do this exercise.  You my friend are the only one who has this control. 

There is one powerful sentence that you can get familiar with to take control over your schedule and your life. 

That sentence is…NO.

NO (period) is a complete sentence.

For example:
Want to start your own company?  Say NO to TV in the evening.  Want to hang out with friends?  Say NO to clients who want the time you would spend with friends on the weekend.  Want to have a quiet hour to yourself?  Say NO to volunteering at your kid’s school that one time.  Want to get in shape? Say NO to Facebook time.  You get the idea.

But first things first:

FIRST. What are your values?
Spend a few minutes thinking about your values.  What are the 3-5 things that are important to you?  And write them down?  Here is a list of values (see below) if you are having a hard time thinking of what I am talking about. 

NEXT Practice saying no.
For example: Mom can you do my laundry? NO.  Here is how you can do it yourself.  20 minutes of time back in your schedule.

NOW Schedule things that are in line with your values.
Go for a walk with a friend- exercise and socializing. Or whatever it is you want to do but feel too busy to do.

Don’t use busy as an excuse not to live the life you want to live.

Happy exploring!  What are your values? Remember to reassess them every so often, because they can change.

Today my values include Community, Connection, Live within my means, Simplicity, Education, Self-Care and Honoring Myself.

Maybe you have more than this maybe you have less.  Share them here if you want.
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Love,

Denise

stoppedWhen life gets busy, what’s the first thing to fall away?  Self-care? Exercise? Fun things you like to do? The answer I see more times then not for myself and in my client’s lives is YES, YES, YES.  Life gets hectic and out of control.  Someone gets sick.  There is a situation with your child you must manage.  There are extra activities and events at work and school.  A big presentation or project on the horizon?

Recently my life was just a little overwhelming.  It’s easy to say what the heck and just give up on the things that help us to feel better.  I went back and looked at my calendar with curious eyes.  It was 13 days since I had a full day off without working.  It was 27 days since I just had a day at home where I didn’t have to go anywhere or do anything.  Yesterday was my day to do nothing.  To reassess.  To take time.  I had to fight the urge to do laundry, to answer texts about work, to send out and email or write this blog.  I had to tell myself, “Denise that will all be there tomorrow.  It can wait.” I had to remind myself all day long.  To stop myself, from doing something.

I watched movies instead.  I really like watching movies.  I took a bath. Ah it’s so nice to soak in the tub.  I did an hour of Pilates.  That made my back feel great.  I laid on the couch.  I did some online browsing.  I read.  I meditated.  I took my calcium.  I did some Spanish.  I cupped my knee and foot.  I drank my coffee while looking out the window.  So many simple pleasures in life.  I scheduled full days off in my calendar for the next month.  I woke up late and went to bed early.

I say so what if you stopped exercising.  Or stopped taking care of yourself.  Or overscheduled yourself.

Take notice and start again.  You might get back to a good routine and guess what you’ll fall off again.  The you must be willing to start again and again and again when this does happen to you.  And it’s bound to.

We just need the right mindset.

We need to be kind to ourselves and look at the big picture.

We need to notice when we aren’t feeling our bests or when our schedule is just too hectic to manage.

NOTICE and START AGAIN.  What a good motto….I had been thinking about racing as an image to keep in my line.  Every time you take the starting line, it's a new race, a new opportunity, a new start.  I plan to keep that in my mind each time I have to start again.

Is there anything you need to start again?  Share below and become accountable for your choices.

I am recommitting to my strengthening exercises and to writing and sending this blog out on Sundays.
 
With love,

Denise