I Want To Buy More Time: When We Want To Get To Everything
Inadequate organization of time is one of the most common sources of stress and anxiety that people can suffer, but, luckily, we have the ability to manage it.
Being aware that we have this power improves our well-being and quality of life significantly. And although it is not always easy for us to do so, selecting priorities and objectives, delegating tasks, saying “no” at the appropriate time… these are actions that can favor our emotional balance and can free us from frustration.
Tips for managing time
With an intelligent scheme of Sergio Fernandez about productivity and time management, this week, M.ª Teresa Mata psychologist at the Institute of Psychological and Psychiatric Assistance Mensalus launches a reflection on the management of priorities and the pursuit of vital purposes. Illustrates Ana Dorado
“I don’t have time” is a feeling that, at some point, we have all verbalized.
TRUE. And look: having more time is impossible. The good news is that we have the ability to manage it in our hands. Managing time is real. This is something that, when we discover it, makes us feel tremendously powerful.
Although it may be hard to believe, not everything is a priority. However. Saying “no” is a much more complicated task than it seems. If this were not the case, we would stop overloading our agendas with apparent essentials. Letting go, stopping, rejecting and delegating are actions that require training, training related to the choice of objectives and the conservation of vital energy.
Priority management is important to be faithful to vital purposes. For this reason, listening to what our will is facilitates the establishment of limits and the expression of the right to get rid of “what is superfluous” (what, at first, we indicate as “I must” and, after assessing the degree of costs and benefits, classified as “I don’t want it”).
We are used to functioning subject to constant distractions and interruptions resulting from external demands and, let’s not deny it, self-demands (“I want to be in everything”). Likewise, we often “give away” vital time to tasks that do not reward us (“for what it costs me, is it worth it?”). Being mentally organized is essential to live the time, savor it, and not compete daily (“I feel like I’m not there”). The famous “I feel like I’m not there” is a source of anxiety.
How can we win the battle?
An interesting concept is that of “firewalls”: indicators that force us to finish the task. The firewall’s worst enemy is perfectionism. Satisfying your cravings translates into a bottomless pit, a “thief” of vital time. Working well is different from living to work, which is why tasks have to accept some imperfection. Otherwise, we will delay the next goal and, of course, we will feel like we can’t do everything. In this sense, postponing and delaying is a drag on productivity. Any decision involves a loss, no matter how small. Assuming it is what makes us free people and frees us from unwanted demands.
Again, thoughts related to pending tasks (“I have to remember”). Writing down the task (and, taking advantage of new technologies, associating it with a notice) is a recommendation known to everyone. Still, we don’t spend enough time realistically planning and organizing the agenda. Because? Possibly due to the famous belief of “I must, I must and I must”.
Having said that. We can implement many organizational systems, more or less visual, more or less sophisticated (e.g.: “make lists, create filters, put the phone on silent, indicate by color, delete emails, review the tasks of the month” , etc.) but allowing ourselves will be the element that truly decides whether or not we are productive (if we cover a coherent level of work/demand).
What else can we do to remember that not having time is simply a feeling?
Show us that it is so. Have you tried saying “no” to unexpected requests, apparently attractive plans that turn into veritable Tetris games that are impossible to fit into, meetings in which there is more chatting than work, breakfasts that drag on, tasks that can be delegated (“I have to go/ do it myself”), etc.? This is a good way to start. On the other hand, “I don’t have time” even becomes an excuse not to stop and think about everything that is extra in our lives. Putting an expiration date on “what is left over” is the first step.
From Coaching and Psychotherapy we outline the necessary steps to achieve this. Today, to start the year, we are left with a very graphic and intelligent scheme. We hope you find it useful.
