Most mornings, I reach for my Smartphone before I even get out of bed. I am forever curious about the new things my inbox will bring my way. As a subscriber to several daily devotionals, there is usually some food for thought that helps me get the day started with focus and inspiration. This morning, I started with a video from John Maxwell. Today, he explored the word time and the myth of time management.
The video was loaded with thought provoking nuggets, but in a nutshell the take away was—we can’t manage time. The only thing we can successfully manage is self. As the New Year approaches and the temptation to make resolutions is creeping up, I needed this thought to help me successfully manage some of the changes I desire to make.
Most of us are overwhelmed and can’t seem to fit what we “must” do into our lives as it is. So, the thought of adding some “want to dos” is practically laughable. We struggle under the weight of family, work and church responsibilities. We’ve erroneously thought that we just need more “time” to get everything done. So, we schedule our lives down to the very last minute.
But the truth is we don’t need to know how to manage our “time” better, we need to know how to manage “self” better. Time stands outside of our control. We can’t resist the passing of time. Try as we might—we can’t step off the merry-go-round and make time stop.
However, we can better manage what we do within time. Our schedules are overcrowded and wearing us down because we refuse to choose. We don’t want to say “no” to anything, so we try to have a little bit of everything and it simply doesn’t work that way.
I decided to share a couple of the thoughts that crossed my mind as the New Year approaches. Even if you don’t make an official resolution, all of us have things we would like to see changed in 2012. As you think through the new things you want to experience or the changes you want to make, you may feel overwhelmed. Here are a few tips for managing yourself, as you look at your “life is this” list and compare to what you want it to be:
1. You don’t have time, but you do have priorities: If I had a dollar for every day I laid my head down at night and wondered why I didn’t get the things I wanted done, I’d be rich....Oprah rich! I have so many plans, but something always seems to get in the way. I get lost in random Internet searches or distracted watching a TV show. The truth is I have the time, but I don’t discipline myself to do the things I need to do. It isn’t a time management issue, it was a self-management issue.
All of us have priorities and values that matter to us. However, if we’re not careful, we will neglect them. We find fulfillment and contentment when our lifestyles reflect our values and priorities. If there is a disconnect, we constantly feel as if we’ve fallen short and out of sync.
Every day, mentally check in and ask yourself, “Is this in line with what I wish to achieve for the day?” Asking yourself this question, will help put an end to wasteful behaviors and a start to life changing patterns.
2. Make a mind-body connection: You will never fully believe in your ability to manage yourself, when you don’t manage your body. Something transpires mentally when we discipline our bodies physically. We are empowered and inspired when we make demands on our bodies and see the changes that directly result. I’m not a dietician and I don’t want to push a goal of weight loss on you. However, I would like to challenge you as your coach to determine the best way for you to make a mind-body connection in 2012. Challenge yourself to engage in a daily physical activity. It can be exercise or it can be reading. As you consistently engage in an activity that improves your life, it will cause you to feel empowered in new areas.
As the New Year approaches, I encourage you to forget time management and focus on self management. The key is getting in touch with yourself and living a life that serves your priorities.
Live It! Determine which action will best get you motivated and feeling in control of your life. Do you need to reconnect with your priorities? Or, do you need to make a mind-body connection? Choose one and get to work on doing something daily in that area. Don’t wait until the New Year…your change can start now!
Quoted as one of today's leading motivational speakers by Essence magazine, Leadher Coach Scott™ shares life-changing truths with practical wisdom, humor and insight. Currently, also a columnist for StreamingFaith.com, her workshops and seminars are popular at women's, singles' and youth conferences. For more info, also visit feliciascott.com or www.upliftgroup.com. Follow her at www.twitter.com/coachfelicia.