Taking control of your life is a lot harder than it sounds. Sure, we all want to believe we are in control, however too often we let ourselves fall behind. We let others and our love for them direct how our days unfold, and before you know it, you don’t have any time that is focused on you and your specific needs.
However, it’s okay to say you need some “me” time. And it’s okay to grab the bull by the horns. Life is what you make of it, and nobody gets to tell you what to do with your time except for you. Focus on the time in your day and what you want to accomplish.
Then follow this 8-step guide to get started and take control of your time.
1. Have a rest.
The most important thing when you are trying to save your time is a rest. Healthy sleep and relaxation will make you more productive and give you an ability to solve more complex tasks faster and with less effort. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day, so your body will get used to that kind of schedule and you will get up full of energy and well rested.
During your day, try to dedicate 5-10 minutes every 1.5-2 hours for relaxing or walking on the street or office, make a coffee or tea and try to forget about your tasks and routine. You will notice that after, your mind will be clear and you will be able to complete almost anything fast and effectively.
2. Set goals.
If you want to take control of your life and your valuable time, then you need to know what you want to do with it. You may be in a shift with your professional or personal life and not know exactly what to do next. The point is to figure it out. Set small goals, if the big ones are still a question. Even if the goal for the week is to finish the overflowing pile of laundry, put it on the list and get it done.
3. Prioritize.
Once you have goals set, you will need to be able to prioritize them. Nobody can do it all by themselves, and no one person can do everything at once. Don’t let your time and needs be put on the back burner all of the time. If you’re a busy parent with a hectic household, gives some chores to the children and make time for that date with your spouse. Priorities are personal, but everyone needs to have theirs set.
4. Avoid multitasking.
This goes in addition to setting priorities. Once you know what needs to get done today, and what can wait until next week, you will be better at avoiding multitasking. While sometimes it’s impossible to avoid, it’s also possible to stop doing so many things at once. Multitasking takes you away from experiencing the present moment and flushes your attention in too many different directions.
5. Exercise.
Even if you hate running, swimming or weight lifting, find a less traditional physical activity. Not only is it imperative for your health, it’s also important for your overall stress level. Even just 40 minutes of physical activity can drastically enhance your mood. Making time for your own mental and physical strength is important. You’ll find that once you begin taking this time, the rest of life gets a little more manageable.
6. Meditate.
Just like with exercise, meditation can drastically improve your overall sense of well-being. Wake up 10 minutes before the rest of your family or household and mediate. Have coffee, stretch, and breath. There are various techniques you can use and you can do it anywhere. Whether it’s at night before bed, or in the morning, try to carve out a few minutes of meditation time.
7. Just say NO.
Do not be afraid to say no. This is so hard for many people but it does not have to be. If someone asks you to help him, but you are already overwhelmed as it is by your schedule, tell him you can’t. If they are upset, that is their problem. Chances are good it might not always make people happy to hear the word “no”. Doing what’s best for you, as long as you know you’ve done as much as you can, is okay.
8. Do your best.
Always do your best work. Always put your best foot forward. Even on the rough and tough days of life, strive to do the best you can. If your best is not as good at it’s been on other days, that’s okay too. Remember we are all human. We all make mistakes and we are all imperfect. All you can do is your best for the people you love, but also for yourself.
Start taking control of your time now!
Life gets the better of us all at some point. We’ve all had moments when we don’t think we can get it all done. And it’s easy to slip into a stressed-out existence. However, with a little effort and self-care, you too can become a person in control of their own life. Use this list as your guide, and remain focused and positive on your journey of self-improvement!
You might also want to read “5 Meditation Books to Deal With Real Life Issues“.
This post was written by Kenneth Waldman, a professional content writer with over 5 years of experience, Copyreader and Designer at Essay Writing Services Reviews (read the latest UkEssays Review). His expertise includes education, marketing, freelancing.
Originally posted on May 23, 2016 @ 8:30 am
