Written by: Sarah Tricker Alchemy, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I will be the first to admit that I did not do a very good job at time management all the time. As a codependent, an overachiever, and a perfectionist, I had put more on my plate than the sanest person could handle. When I moved to Canada in 2007, I was a mother of two, went to university, worked, and my hubby was a truck driver and had to get used to being basically a single mum whilst he was away working. Our whole life turned upside pretty quick.
In university, I was studying for my degree in education and arts and science. My course of studies changed who I was as a person and was the beginning of my business as it stands today. I took a class in the first semester called College Success. It spoke about planning and allowing certain things to go so you can achieve balance in your life. Well, at that time I was not ready for that!
Forward 16 years and I have learnt many lessons on how to manage my time efficiently. Today, I wanted to share my top three secrets with you!
1. Self-Care!
What? I hear you rumble under your breath. Are you joking with me, I barely have time to shower let alone do anymore? What do you want me to do get up at 4 am? As women have gained more independence, we are also trying to do everything 100%. Be a mother as if we are a housewife when we are working full time. Be the best employee when we also juggle the children and family too.
I know from my own experience that I was always last on the list and would be lucky if I even got a haircut and some new clothes. We all know that if we don’t look after ourselves properly and fill our own cup that eventually we burn out. Then we are really no help to anyone!
I get it! You don’t have time or space to meditate for an hour write your journals and soak in the tub. Rome wasn’t built in a day and you don’t just fill your cup in a day either. I suggest what I call incremental upgrades. What is one thing you can do for yourself every day? Your non-negotiable! You have to make a deal with yourself that no matter what you have to do whatever it is you choose as your way to fill your cup.
2. Time Blocking
It is really funny how resistant I was to creating some structure in my life. I lived off of lists that never got completed and always felt a sense overwhelmed. What I have discovered now is the structure actually creates freedom. When you have a system in place and you keep to it, structure actually becomes a way of life. When it is right you will have more time to do the things you want to instead of the things you don’t. A little tip is that I have stopped calling these schedules and time blocking and now call it daily rituals. This little shift seemed to life the pressure off!
One way to look at this is that when you don’t set intentions or decide what you want to achieve, what you are actually doing is leaving your day open to the chaos of the universe. By setting a simple schedule for when you get up; eat, do cleaning, go to the gym, self-care, cook dinner, answer emails, or whatever your day includes, you will find you are more productive, sleep better, and feel as sense of accomplishment.
It takes a bit of time to get right. I would hazard a guess that I made probably five schedules. Honestly, it took me about a year to get it so that it was second nature. This is how you know its right as you will do it. If it isn’t right you will fight it! So, if your dragging your arse review your time block and move things around until you don’t. I have a schedule for the five work days and my two self-care days are my flex days where I do what I want and/or need too!
3. Buy Yourself Time!
Oh my god! If this isn’t the biggest thing that I have learnt as an entrepreneur, if you don’t like doing something, outsource it. This is a two-way thing for me; firstly I am supporting other entrepreneurs who both want to do what I don’t want to; and secondly, let’s be honest, are experts in the area too.
One of the biggest problems being a woman who tries to do it all is that we are not experts in everything. We sometimes do things in a mediocre way by trying to do it all! The fact is when we hire someone to wash and iron the clothes and put it away, we can spend that time watching a movie with our family. You have to understand that hiring people to do the things you don’t want to buys you time, time is precious, time you can spend on self-care or with your fam jam.
Once you combine the results of these three little things you will have more time to do the things you want too. Remember, it doesn’t all have to be done right away start small and work your way up. Are you interested in learning how to do this? Connect with Sarah and discover how she can help you!
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Sarah Tricker Alchemy, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sarah Tricker Alchemy is a change-maker and has the ability to see what lies in the unseen and unexplained. After realizing her dream to become an educator, Sarah soon understood she herself was not fulfilling her life purpose. In 2016 she began the journey of entrepreneurship and had been forging her way to true authenticity. Sarah is a Public Speaker & Spiritual Empowerment Coach helping women who are in transition within their life. With her gift as a healer, she facilitates women in finding their authentic selves as well as their life purpose. Every moment is a miracle, and there is always opportunity even when you cannot see it.
