As the New Year approaches, it's a good time to revisit a favourite topic of mine: time, or more specifically, the apparent lack of it. The start of a new year often brings resolutions and goals, making it an ideal moment to reflect on how we manage our time.
Do you sometimes feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? Wishing you could add some more time or slow it down somehow so you could get everything ticked off your to-do list?
This is a thought we’ve all had at some point, especially around the New Year when we're setting fresh goals. But if it’s a recurring feeling for you, something needs to change.
Why Do I Feel This Way?
No matter how busy we are (or feel), there are only 24 hours in a day. And not all of those can be productive. Of course, you need to sleep, eat, and travel between destinations, but you also need time to relax, learn, and enjoy yourself. Add in the time you spend at work each day, and suddenly 24 hours doesn’t seem very long at all.
The problem is, we’re all so busy being... well, busy. So, when we claim some time to do something for ourselves, we feel guilty about it.
We feel unproductive or self-indulgent and worry others will see us that way too. How often have you felt guilty for taking half an hour to eat your lunch away from your desk, or for spending a day in a training session? Both activities provide benefits and are needed if you want to thrive and progress in life. Yet we don’t hesitate to waste hours or even days maintaining an empty inbox, binge-watching Netflix, or mindlessly scrolling through social media.
So, What Can I Do?
Until time travel becomes possible (as a sci-fi fan, I keep an open mind on the art of the possible), you’re stuck with the 24 hours you’re given. There isn’t a way to make time last longer. Instead, you need to look at how you use the time you have. Without sounding “cheesy” and dramatic, you have to understand how precious your time is.
The key is using your time wisely and spending it in ways that benefit you. I’ve previously written about the importance of setting goals; your goals or objectives act as the blueprint for how you use your time and, most importantly, the life you want to curate for yourself.
Ask yourself: does this activity fit with my goals and values? If not, why are you doing it?
Be honest. If you’re working late every night, can you reduce your workload? If you hate your job, what steps can you take towards a new one? This thinking applies to other aspects of your life too. If you loathe doing housework, could you get a cleaner? The idea is to align your time with your goals and values.
Without focusing on your goals and values, it's easy for your time to become filled with activities that don’t serve you. Yes, you’ll sometimes have to do things you don’t want to (that’s life), but by shifting your mindset to being intentional with your time and learning to say “no” more often, you can prioritise activities that fit the time you have.
As you set your New Year's resolutions, reflect on the goals or objectives you set over the last 12 months. Have you achieved them? Would you have had a better chance of success if you had been more intentional with your time? If you haven’t set any goals, are you happy with where you are right now?
Ready to Begin Your Curious Adventure?
In my next post, I’ll discuss how to set yourself up for success when setting your objectives for 2025. If you’d like personalised support on setting your goals for 2025 or using your time more intentionally, let's grab a coffee or tea and book a 30-minute no-obligation discovery call using the link here.
