How Do You Make Time?

Take It Back

We all wish we had more time for something: to relax, to exercise, to make progress on that important project, to spend time with someone. As you manage the demands of daily life, it’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting for big chunks of time to miraculously become available. A better approach is to look for smaller windows of opportunity that are within each day waiting to be tapped.

Here is something to try this week: Identify a specific time of day to take back. Taking back means that you will now use this time for something that is more beneficial, enjoyable, or productive.

What portion of the day will you choose?

• How you start your day
• How you spend your commute time
• What you do with the first 15-minutes of your workday
• Lunchtime
• Before or after a regularly scheduled appointment/meeting
• What you do with the last 15-minutes of your workday
• The first thing you do when you get home from work
• The first thing you do when you finish dinner
• The last thing you do before going to bed

What Can You Do With Just 15 Minutes?

Here are some examples from recent coaching conversations:

• Taking 15-minutes before work to stretch or do a mini-workout
• Using commute time to relax and listen to music
• Starting the workday with your two most important phone calls
• Devoting 15 solid minutes right after lunch to creative thinking on a project
• Taking a 15-minute break from work to talk with a teenager who just got home
• Taking a 15-minute walk before dinner

Each instance above involves allocating a specific time of day —essentially forming a new habit— and also being open to the progress that can occur by consistently devoting short periods of time to a certain activity.

Open Your Window!

This Week: Take advantage of what appear to be meager slivers of opportunity. The impact of taking back just 15 minutes a day may surprise you.