Are you ready to learn how to make time when there is none?

Two months ago, you completed a Time Inventory to show you how your professed priorities align with the truth of your calendar, and last month you decided if you were ready to make changes to the areas of your life where change needs to happen.

Now that you’ve got all your ducks in a row, you need an action plan to make the most important things the most important things. Let’s get moving!

Okay – I know what you’re thinking – “I’m with you, Adrian, BUT (big but) there’s still that tiny matter of not having any time! What’s your bright idea about that one?”

I’m so glad you asked!

Get ready to learn how to make time when there is none!

It’s nothing magical or mystical. It just takes 3 STEPS to do it! Are you ready?

Step 1 – Be fully committed

In one of my favorite childhood movies, Karate Kid, the wise mentor – Mr. Miyagi -shares a beautiful picture of commitment with his student, Daniel (-san).

Basically – if we’re going to do something, we’d better commit – unless we want to be “squish like grape!”

Decide EVERY SINGLE DAY to stick to it and make it happen! Remember my new favorite quote:

“If it’s important, you’ll make it happen. If it’s not, you’ll make excuses.”

Step 2 – De-clutter

What I mean is this – stop doing/decrease the time spent doing the things that are on the bottom of your stated “Order of Importance” list but always seem to keep popping up at the top of your “Time Spent Doing Things” list.

For instance – You say social media is pretty low in importance, BUT (there’s that big but again) you spend a whole lot of time checking who’s doing what to whom and when, what amazing things can be made with pallets (some pretty unreal stuff!), and which new cat video is getting the most views (I do LOVE me some cat videos, though.).

I found an app called 30/30 that let’s you set time limits for various tasks. You can create a social media task (or a task for anything at all) to last for a certain period of time, and when the timer goes off – you cut it off! (Remember – fully committed!)

Of course, keep in mind that some things you wouldn’t put at the top of your priority list still have to be done. I’m not super pumped about doing laundry, but I sure do like wearing clean clothes. You?

So choose the things that are easiest to minimize or totally delete first! Then…

Step 3 – Replace

Now that you’ve figured out some things to cut back out or cut out, let’s not make the mistake so many others have made before us!

If you aren’t purposeful about what you replace that time with, something or someone will replace it for you! You know what I’m talking about?

Have you ever tried to dig a hole to plant something?

You take your shovel and start digging. Then, just as soon as you scoop some dirt out, the sides start caving in and fill the hole back up with dirt, or your cat jumps in the hole, or you kid throws something in the hole.

Our lives are the exact same way! You decide to drop your kids off at practice instead of watching, BUT instead of choosing to walk/jog during that hour, someone has a story to tell you about a teacher, or you get nominated to go pick up cupcakes for a party that week.

If you’re digging a hole, know what you’re going to put in it before you start digging! Then make sure you plant it!

Even if purposeful relaxation time is what’s going in there, mark it on the calendar – AND THEN DO IT!

Keep in mind that at first, you may have to set a timer for this, too. Not to limit your time, but to help you stick to it for the whole time!

Finally – remember this:

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9