Mastering Time: From White Rabbit Chaos to Productivity Bliss

Feeling like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, constantly racing against the clock? It's a familiar sensation for many of us, hustling from one task to the next, chanting, "I'm late! I'm late!"

But pause for a moment. Are you truly being productive, or just busy? It's easy to confuse the two when your to-do list is your compass. Yet, there's a crucial difference between being busy and being effective.

Picture this: you're in a meeting, but your mind is already racing ahead to the next appointment. Sound familiar? This frantic pace not only devalues your time but also drains your precious energy.

Let's reclaim your time and energy together. Here's how:

Prioritization: Ask yourself, are these meetings and tasks aligning with my goals? Are they nurturing a mindset of success? If not, it's time to reevaluate. Be selective about where you invest your time. Each morning select three actions/tasks that are a priority for you. If possible, have a goal to complete them by 11:00am. They are a priority, so doing those tasks before any other tasks should make sense. Once those three priorities are done, you’ll experience deep satisfaction and greater energy to get additional items knocked off your list.

Time Blocking: Once you've identified your priorities, schedule them into your day. Time blocking ensures you focus on what matters most, minimizing distractions, and preventing burnout. Remember to include breaks to recharge your batteries. Create a list of common tasks you do (for example some of mine are: content creation, social media, coaching clients,) then block off periods of time in your calendar for those tasks. Time blocking ensures you are making time for what’s important and you’re being realistic about the time you have available.

Time Management Tools: Whether you prefer a physical planner or a digital calendar, find tools that resonate with you. Task management apps, to-do lists, or time-tracking journals can streamline your workflow and bring peace to your hectic schedule. But they only work if you use them, so begin with an easy, sustainable tool and use it daily to allow it to become a part of your routine.

Breathing: Why would breathing make a list for reclaiming your time and energy? Because so often we get caught up in the “I don’t have enough time” spin that we shift into more shallow breathing which can trigger the sympathetic nervous system and now you’re dealing with flight, fight, or freeze urges. Next time you feel yourself spinning, try taking a deep breath for the count of four, hold it for seven and exhale it for eight. Complete the sequence four to five times to engage the parasympathetic nervous system and you’ll more easily be able to engage your prefrontal cortex allowing for logic and planning to occur.

Time Mantra: Bring on the power of thought to help support yourself when you feel rushed and the scarcity of time is bearing down on you. This is a thought to help redirect you to a more abundant place that allows for a more focused brain space instead of wigging out over lack. The mantra I use that has helped me over the years is, “I have enough time to do everything I want to do and if it doesn’t get done today it wasn’t meant to be done today.” This mantra helps me to center myself, reminds me to breathe, and helps put my to-do list into perspective.

By mastering these techniques and embracing the right tools, you'll not only boost productivity but also reclaim control over your time and energy. Say goodbye to the frantic pace of the White Rabbit and hello to a more balanced, fulfilling life.