Hi
Do you find managing your time a challenge? Do you get everything done that
you want to and need to in a week? Did having children in your life dramatically
change your priorities and the way you spend your time?
One of the things people often say to me is … How do you have enough time to
do all the things that you do … children and business included?
Managing my time is something that i’ve always been good at, but nothing could
ever in a million zillion years have prepared me for the sheer challenges on time
that emerged with a young family. Whether I ran a business or not!
Alex, my first baby made the biggest change to how I spend my time and as the
numbers grew, each child just needs a little extra chunk. I’m sure if you have more
than one child that you experience something similar.
I thought I’d share with you some of the thoughts I have and the things that I do to
really make sure that I cherish every moment of these precious few years and
if you like it, you may like to use some of the ideas to help you in your life.
But most importantly you can share your thoughts, challenges and ideas, because you have a great amount of
experience and you can really help each other. Post your comments below.
Here’s the view I take on it
1. Whatever our circumstances and background, one thing for certain is that we all
have the same amount of time. The thing that changes with each of us is how we
decide to spend our time – and it is this that really matters. Time is also one of the
things that once it has gone it never returns. Never is this more prominent than
with young children as they change pretty much from one day to the next. Getting
this into my head, helped me understand the importance of how I spend my time
and to plan how I spend my time.
2. The next thing I do is think about the roles I play in life. Example roles might be
parent, partner, friend, manager, employee, home maker. This helps to create a
balance in life and not get totally absorbed into one particuar aspect. Of course,
some aspects naturally deserve more time than others, but having in mind that you
have lots of roles in your life can help you feel a greater sense of fulfilment.
3. There are things that we must to to survive and never is this more prominent
than when we have children as they are naturally dependant upon us for so much.
But there are things that are nice to do that don’t seem pressing right now, but
are something we want to do in the longer term. For example, I have kept up
piano lessons for the last 7 years which is nice to do. It’s important to have some
things each week within each of your roles that are what you want to do and not
necessarily what you have to do. Even if you only allocate 2 minutes to the activity!
Believe it or not, I’m not a very good piano player, but it’s still good to have the
time.
4. Write it down. Write down your roles and things that you are going to do
each week, or daily preferably, but with constraints and high degree of flexiblity
needed to spend time with children then weekly is probably more realistic.
Experts say if you write it down, then you are far more likely to do it.
5. Out of all the time I spend, only 20% produces the results that I want. Have
you ever looked at your day and thought – Where did that go? What have I
achieved? There is a universal law in life that 20% of efforts produces 80% of
the results. I try and focus on that 20% and be aware when this 20% is happening.
If it falls into the other 80%, I try and get other people to help out, ditch it, or
leave it on the pile of things to do until a rainy day.
6. I create a daily power hour where I absolutly focus on the task at hand. Usually
when the kids go to bed. It’s amazing how much you can get done when you
channel all your enegy and focus into completing a set of actions. Make a concsious
effort to do this every day within one of your roles and see how much you get done.
7. Don’t forget you as a role. It’s easy to forget ‘me’, as we are so busy seeing to
everyone else.
8. At the end of the week I review what i’ve achieved and get a great sense of
satisfaction from everything that i’ve achieved. But what I really love is the fact
that i’ve planned out time with my children and I can see what i’ve done and how
it has postiively impacted on them. This is most rewarding of all.
Was this information useful? Please post your comments and feedback below
Go to http://www.izziwizzies.co.uk/articles/making-the-most-of-time-with-a-young-family-18
Take Care
Alison
