No Time To Do What You Want? Try This

We’ve been on a big Marie Kondo kick in my household.

It all started when I helped my mom move into a new house. After sorting her things, giving some of it away and boxing up the rest, I just felt so done with stuff. How much do you need, really?

So I came home and purged my own closet of things that no longer bring me joy. Clothes I haven’t worn in years, books I’ll never reread, furniture that no longer suits my life. And it felt. So. Good.

If you’ve ever dropped off a huge box of things at Goodwill, you know what I’m talking about. You let out a sigh of relief and return home feeling a little bit lighter—with your house feeling a lot more organized and manageable.

And that newly purged feeling is contagious. Soon after, my son Jos and his fiancé cleared out their home. Then, Jos helped my younger kids, Quinn and Asher, purge their things. Now, my whole house from top to bottom has been decluttered. Even our refrigerator would make Ms. Kondo proud. 😉

But it’s not just physical things that we need to periodically purge from our life.

Sometimes, we get bogged down with work, responsibilities and relationships that no longer bring us joy. When this happens, it’s time to purge our schedule.

I realized my schedule needed a shakeup when I was taking on work that wasn’t fulfilling and took up a lot of my time. I realized that in order to get excited about work again, I had to raise the bar of what I say “yes” to.

No more saying “yes” to any speaking engagement or prospective client that comes my way. I need to be more picky about what I choose to do and only say “yes” to those opportunities that are truly worth my time.

Does YOUR schedule need a good decluttering? Is it time for YOU to raise the bar of what you say “yes” to?

Here are a few signs:

• When you find yourself saying “I want to do X, but I don’t have the time,” or “Someday, I’ll do Y.” Look, “someday” is today. If you’re not making time for what you really want to do, you’ll always regret it. Look at your calendar and start saying “no” to opportunities that are no longer important to you to make time for what is!
• When you regularly spend time with people who drag you down. Not all friendships were meant to last a lifetime. It’s okay to “no” to people who no longer fit in your life—or who have become toxic and are unhealthy to be around.
• When you feel like you haven’t seen your favorite people in a long time. Whether it’s your best friend, your mother or even your partner, it’s important to make room for the people you love. This is what life is all about!
• When you’re not enjoying your work anymore. Are you constantly saying “yes” to work projects that are unfulfilling? Have you been dreading your work every day, but feel stuck? It may be time to reevaluate the projects you agree to—or maybe even make a career change.
• When you feel like you no longer have “me” time. When the days and weeks have flown by and you haven’t gone to the gym, picked up a hobby that makes you happy or just had some relaxing time where no one needs you, your schedule needs a tune-up! Self-care is crucial to your emotional and physical health. It’s okay to say “no” to an opportunity to have some “me” time.
• When you feel like you haven’t had any fun in a while. Your life should be something you enjoy waking up to, so if you feel like you’re not having any fun, something needs to change. Stop saying “yes” to opportunities that are boring and uninspiring, and seek out new opportunities that excite you! Make life an adventure!

Your time is precious and it’s the one thing that you can never get more of. Protect it and only spend it on things that are worth it!

Challenge yourself to say “no” when something is not up to your standards and hold out for those opportunities that are worth saying “yes” to.

Then, when you DO say “yes” to something—commit to it 100 percent.

If it’s work, block off some time where you will laser focus, block out all distractions and give it all you’ve got. This hyper-focused time will allow you to get more done faster—freeing up your schedule even more.  

If it’s a night out with friends, put your phone away and give the people you’re with all of your attention. Make the time to truly connect. It’s well worth it!

If you’re at the gym or a workout class, block out all of your obligations and worries from your mind and just go for it. This time is yours. Make it count!

What do you need to make time for in your schedule? What have you said “yes” to recently that wasn’t up to your standards? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Now go do something for YOU—something that’s worth that oh so precious time! 🙂