I'm constantly speaking and teaching about the importance of time management and boundaries. The reason is that I know that in order to elevate and/or transform your life and business, you must maximize your time. It's not some magic pill, formula, or strategy, it's HOW you spend your time. Notice I said "spend" your time, because the truth is time is a resource. Resources are things that when used incorrectly quickly become depleted. Resources are also things that have the ability to multiply more of themselves when invested. Hence, why I say it's HOW you use it.
One of the very first assignments I do with each and every one of my clients is to have them outline their perfect day. I do this because it allows them to remember their vision, but more importantly, it triggers them to take note of how many hours are in a day, compare and contrast their current days, and notice where they are wasting time. And what they discover is they waste the majority of their time "putting out fires."
"Putting out Fires" is what happens when you spend your time reacting to everything that comes at you. "Putting out Fires" is when you have no standards in place, so boundaries are non-existent. "Putting out Fires" is when you take on the responsibility of everyone else's issues and/or problems. In other words "putting out fires" is when you don't understand you have authority over your life. And no one struggles with this more than….women!
Women are responsible for so much because we wear so many hats: single, married, mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, and then throw in being an employee or running a business, and the list just multiplied by ten! The other issue women face is the struggle to use our nurturing instincts to our advantage instead of allowing people to TAKE advantage of us. Women are designed to help. Yet, we have to become mindful when helping others end up hurting ourselves.
So then HOW do you begin to move from "putting out fires" to being intentional about what you do, when you do it, and who you do it for?
1. Demand a Plan:
Make a plan for your day, week, month, and year. The plan may shift but you owe it to yourself to outline a map for the direction of your life.
2. Just Say No:
If you don't want to do it. If it doesn't align with your values. If you do not have the time, money, energy, or passion…JUST SAY NO!
3. Kill Multitasking:
Focus propels you forward. Trying to do too many things at once is actually a time sucker because you end up making costly mistakes.
One of the most transformative quotes I heard was: "Your emergency is NOT my urgency." This quote helped me turn off the majority of notifications on my phone and computer, toggle Do Not Disturb on my phone for major portions of my day and realize I'm not responsible for everybody's poor planning.
WHO AM I?
I’m Kandis Troutman, The Creative Architect. I'm a mother, teacher, and spiritual seeker focused on purpose walking, and serving others. I help women activate their God-given power so they can transform their purpose into a prosperous business.
Thanks for reading my post. I try to publish new posts weekly, but I believe in leaving room for God, which means there are no guarantees. But check in often and let me know what content awakens your spirit and I’ll be more than happy to share my experiences.
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Don’t allow your life to become what you should have done or what you wish you could have accomplished. Instead, step into the greatness that is your destiny and start creating, building, and elevating the life of your dreams.
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