Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

How can you create the time to do the things you really want to do?

We are always so busy and trying to fit in things with our work, family, taking care of everything, it seems hard to figure out how to make any time for the things that we really want to do.

I had given a client this suggestion while helping her figure out how to make time to do the things she really wants in her busy schedule:

One idea to consider is to choose 1 thing to let go of for the week so you can replace it with something you really want to do.

She asked if I could give her some ideas of things to let go.

What I meant about choosing something to let go of is….

When you look at your “to do” list, there are some things you really need to do that are important and can’t be ignored, there are things that you really want to do and need to make time for, even if it’s just a little bit.

And then there are a myriad of things you could do but they aren’t necessarily necessary!

So, it may be helpful to look at your list of possibilities and ask:

What absolutely needs to be done?

What is something I really want to do that I could make the next small step?

What is something that’s not really that important that I can let go of?

You might let go of something that is a higher standard than you really need like
maybe a house cleaning chore than no one but you will notice or making a homemade dessert for company when you could just pick something up.

Those are some little things but all those little things add up, especially if you are using energy that you could use on something you really want to do.

My client had been cooking for houseguests and entertaining for 3 weeks and decided to give up cooking for the week!

I thought that was a great idea that could give her a well deserved break and some extra time.

What could you give up this coming week that could create a little extra time?

I’d love to hear your ideas.

Does Multitasking Really Work?

We tend to think we’ll get a lot more done when we multitask.  But does multitasking really work?  Does it really save time? The logic is that we are doing four things at once instead of just one.  The problem with that theory is that you usually are doing all those things either slowly, inefficiently, and sometimes poorly.

This is your brain on multi-tasking:  Every time you switch activities, your brain needs to make a shift and get into gear, so to speak.  The amount of time and energy that you spend shifting gears often breaks up your focus and slows things down.

I’ll admit there are some things that I like to make an exception for multitasking.  Things like folding clothes, ironing, or dusting.  That is when I might have a long phone call with my sister or a friend.  But if I wanted to get the clothes folded and put away quickly, and just focused on that, I could get it done in half the time.

But let’s face it, you can’t really be listening or fully engaged in a phone conversation while you are searching the internet, writing in your journal, and fixing the plumbing all at the same time.  Your brain is switching back and forth between activities, not really doing them simultaneously.

The same thing holds true for creating something.  The more focused you can be while you are painting, drawing, writing, or performing, the better your end result and you may find yourself getting into the “zone”.  That is the place where everything else fades away, time is non-existent, and things flow smoothly.

When you focus on an activity or task and bring your full attention to it, not only are you likely to get better results, but it’s less stressful and more rewarding.

Feeling like you need to do ten things at once because you’re so busy will make you feel even more stressed out.

While practicing mindfulness in a world that continues to increase the speed may seem counter productive, you may actually find you’ll get more done, have more time, and feel less stressed.

Being mindful and focused takes practice.  And then some more practice.  The more busy or stressed we are, the easier it is to cling to the hope of multitasking our way out.  As you become aware that you are operating like an octopus on steroids, stop and take a breath.

Try writing yourself some reminders that say No Multitasking, Focus, or Be Mindful and put them in various places where you’ll see them.  Start by just doing one thing and focusing only on that.  See if when you say no to multitasking you notice yourself feeling calmer and more efficient.

Let me know what happens.

You Can't Do It Alone

Whenever you are starting something new, there are so many things you don’t know.  You don’t even know what you don’t know yet.

One of the best ways of figuring out how to do something is to find someone or several people who are doing all or part of what you want to do and pay attention to what they are doing.

Basically, you are finding mentors who can help you learn along the way.  You can find mentors in books, through the internet, on websites, blogs, or asking others.

Do they have a program, ezine, class, seminar, or book?  Can you volunteer to work for them (think apprentice)?

Sometimes starting can be the hardest part.  You don’t have to know how to do everything before you start.  Just gather some information and take a small step.  And then another.

One way I am sharing knowledge is through interviewing interesting and amazing people I’ve come across for my series of Inspired Artists and Creative Entrepreneurs.

Barbara Winter, author of Making A Living Without A Job,  shares her delightful outlook on creating a joyfully jobless life.  And Rena Klingenberg shares her refreshing ideas about being an artist, entrepreneur and single Mom and keeping the balance in her life.

So, remember, you aren’t alone.

Who or what has helped you to do take that next step?