Time is Precious

The busy holiday season is upon us …can you believe it? This can be a hectic time of year, so where do we find the time to do it all?  We don’t. My Grandmother always told me, “Missy, you can’t be in two places at the same time” and she was right.  It is not physically or mentally possible to “do it all”…and it is ok for you to stop trying – time is precious.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of the your time:

• Plan Ahead. Such a simple concept, but so important. Plan for the week or just the day, whatever works best for YOU.  Make a plan to serve as your guide. Remember, it is a guide…not a rigid agenda that controls your every move.  Use your plan to set priorities, including free time to do things that you love.

• Be kind to your calendar (and yourself) – don’t overbook. Pick the most important events and activities to add to your calendar and make sure they fit into your priorities.

• Be realistic about how much time it takes you to do an activity. We tend to under-estimate, so include buffer time.  Also, it never hurts to add 15 minutes buffer time to your travel.

• Give yourself permission to say “NO”.  Why is it so hard to say “no”?  Because we don’t want to disappoint or let others down.  But the truth is, people understand and they certainly don’t want to contribute to your stress.

When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed with the amount of activity that the holiday season can bring – remind yourself that your time is precious and you should be spending it on things that are important to you AND fit into your priorities.  I give you permission to stop trying to “fit it all in”.