Protect Your Time Investment:
How-to choose wisely in a frantic world
by Colleen Langenfeld
Copyright (c) 2003
Ever said, 'if only I had the time'?
Ever turned down something you REALLY wanted
to do because there was no time left in your
busy schedule?
Worse yet, ever said YES to something that
you know will cause extra pressure on your
family's schedule?
If you're tired of feeling tired, take heart.
While we can't add more hours in our day
(that's actually a blessing!) we can get much
smarter about using the time we have. You are
probably already familiar with the popular
concepts of time management that encourage
you to determine your values and set
priorities. These are helpful ideas and the
right place to start. But after you've
learned these tools, you'll probably discover
an age old wisdom when it comes to practicing
them.
The battle is REALLY between what's Good and
what's Best.
Do you know what I mean?
Your time management battle is not between
lying lazily on the couch all day OR being
the local volunteer of the year. No, your
battle is much more subtle than that. Which
is exactly why it's so difficult.
Your battle is really between things like...
- Volunteering in your child's classroom
on your one morning off each week.
- OR using that time to catch up on all of
those household chores that, if organized
right, could really make your family's life
run smoother.
- OR donating those few hours to your local
favorite charity or civic group and, heaven
knows, they could use your expertise!
Wow. You aren't choosing between what's Good
and what's Best at all. You've got three
separate Bests competing. For you and your
time.
So how do you decide? If you're deciding by
NOT deciding then you're probably quite
frustrated on a regular basis. That's no
help at all. Instead, get clear. Crystal
clear. Pick ONE of those 'Bests' and decide
to support it. Period.
(One caveat here: everything is not black
and white. Your priorities will change over
time so if you decide you can't do
something today, it may fit in perfectly
five years from now.)
The key? Get clear with yourself on what's
most important to you.
Now apply this principle to the rest of
your life.
- Is your work generally satisfying but
when you look ahead you realize it's taking
your time and talents and giving very
little in return? Then start looking TODAY
for work that pays you back with the time
and freedom you want. Remember, if your
children are little, you're going to need
MORE time, money and freedom in the future,
not less. Find work that duplicates your
efforts and offers key parts such as
residual income so that you can build a
solid future for yourself and your family.
- Is your family aimed in the direction
you feel it should go? Get clear about what
you want your family and your marriage to
look like five, ten, and twenty years from
now and that will enable you to get clear
about what activities you should be
implementing in your life today.
- Consider the kind of person you want to
become as you live your life. Who do you
wish would admire you? Whose respect would
you like to earn the most? Whom have you
learned a great deal from? These are the
questions that will help you choose what
is actually 'Best' for you in your own
personal situation.
And that's what REALLY counts.
Congratulations. Now, you're choosing
wisely!
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Colleen Langenfeld owns and operates
http://www.paintedgold.com , a resource
site for busy working mothers. Sign up
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