Time management expert Laura Vanderkam believes that you have full control of your free time. She believes that time is elastic and accommodates what we put into it. In her TED talk above, she shares her perspective on how to find time for the things you love.
In reality, it all comes down to priorities and choices. There is no need to find time for what you love and want to do. The time is already there. It is your choice of how you want to spend it.
We have the power to fill our lives with the things that deserve to be there. ~ Laura Vanderkam
The Common (Mis)Perception Time
Regardless of your situation in life, many of us are pressed for time. We think that there just aren’t enough hours in a day, not only to accomplish what we have to do, but especially to do what we WANT to do.
Let’s be honest. It often feels like our days gets sucked up by work obligations, chores, errands, etc. As a result, there’s little time left to do what’s good for us (such as exercise) and what we want to do (like play with our kids).
This mindset is quite common. However, Vanderkam believes that reality is much different.
Find Time by Setting the Right Priorities
Vanderkam is a time management expert and author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast. She believes that time does not just fly by as we get shuffled from one responsibility to another. Instead, she thinks that we are choosing to put our time into the tasks and events that make up our lives, regardless of how undesirable those tasks may be.
In her TED talk and her books, Vanderkam shares some great ways on how to identify your priorities. She shares a great approach on how to make your upcoming year amazing. Make sure to watch the video and go through her planning exercise for your upcoming year. Just imagine that by the end of next year, you could accomplish 3-5 amazing things that you want to accomplish. It is all possible.
Vanderkam also discusses how our language affects how we perceive time. We often say, “I don’t have time.” Instead, she suggests using words like “I choose,” “I want,” and “I don’t want” as it pertains to a task. Versus making time the determining factor for your life’s activities and achievements, make yourself accountable.
Life and time will pass no matter what you do with them. Intentions, goals, dreams, long and short-term, are great tools to help you identify your life priorities. Then, all it takes is your willingness to put these priorities into your daily routine.
We cannot make more time. But time will stretch to accommodate what we choose to put into it. ~ Laura Vanderkam
Final Thoughts
There is plenty of time in your life. Fill it with the activities, accomplishments, goals and dreams that bring you contentment. Set priorities that transform your life into the life you’ve always wanted. Yes, you will still have chores and errands. There will still be tasks that you dislike that have to get done. But consequently, you can always find time for what inspires you, as long as you’re willing to make it a priority.
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