We believe that we can get more done by speeding up everything and multi-tasking on everything. We have become a “get it all done today” society. Therefore, the question becomes are we really setting ourselves up for long-term success or long-term problems? The key to controlling your life is controlling your time.
Many of us suffer from a hurry up and get it done mentality. We believe that we can get more done by speeding up everything and multi-tasking on everything. While driving we’re conducting business on our phones, we eat while working on assignments, we listen to our family members while reading email … the list can go on! We have become a “get it all done today” society. Therefore, the question becomes are we really setting ourselves up for long-term success or long-term problems?
Do you find yourself making any of the following statements:
- I don’t have any time.
- I bring work home.
- I’m always punctual and never miss deadlines.
- I’m always busy, even when others relax.
If this is you then you must understand that having a constant “get everything done at once” mindset may be setting you up for long-term failures: stress-related illnesses, ulcers, heart conditions and nervous tension. Are you a victim of the “I must get everything done at once” mindset?
Most people suffer from speed sickness, aware of every passing moment of the day and jumping from one activity to the next with few or no breaks. This relentless activity may provide an adrenaline rush and the heady experience of surviving or even excelling under pressure, but eventually you pay the price in health and happiness. Society teaches that being busy equals productivity, which equals worthiness. Rather than buy into this view, redefine how you spend your time. Ask yourself four questions:
- What has to be done?
- How much of it has to be done?
- How fast does it have to be done?
- How much does it cost to do it?
We all talk about time management and how in “this year … I will manage my time better”; however, the question becomes, can you really manage time? After all, we each get 24 hours a day. So instead of managing time, modify your strategy to change how you manage your life in the 24 hour gift you are given each day. For example, if you look at your life in five categories: spiritually, mentally, physically, financially and socially and the goals you have for each of these areas in order to achieve the balance you need to have a long life, what would you do differently?
Spiritually – are you spending enough of your 24 hour gift focused on your purpose in life? How will you know if you’ve completed the specific vision assigned to you while on earth if you do not spend some time focused in this area?
Mentally – are you recharging your left and right brain on a daily basis? If it is true that a human only uses 10-15% of his/her brain then there is room to enlarge your mental capacity – for some of us there is a lot of room to grow in this area!
Physically – how’s your diet, exercise, recreation, relaxation and life expectancy? There are so many venues available today to improve our health – something as simple as talking a walk every day will change your physical being and your outlook on life.
Financially – isn’t there anything you want to do this year in the financial arena? Save an extra 20%, make an extra 20%, start a business, buy real estate. What will you do differently in 2011 to improve your financial condition?