Last month we focused our conversations around clutter. This month we’re shifting gears to talk about time- how we manage it, how we manage ourselves, what our challenges are, and more. Today I’m thinking about what happens when we have so much going on every day that there’s no time left for not doing. We’re so busy that we don’t even give ourselves any transition time. We’re overscheduled and overwhelmed. Does this sound familiar? Do you wake up each day knowing that you can’t possibly accomplish all the items on your list?

In general, I’m a pretty good manager of my time. However, something surprising happened to me this past weekend. My husband and I sat down to discuss our summer fun and vacation plans. Even though I was looking forward to all the things we wanted to do, I found myself getting very stressed, even a little freaked out. As we started looking at dates, I saw weekends disappearing.

One of my goals for 2015 is to be more conscious of the white space in my calendar. To me that white space represents unplanned time. It’s potential time when I can relax, do, or not do. I can say “yes” to something on a whim because there’s the space to do that. The white space is like a free pass. With the many commitments that I do have, that white space becomes essential for my sanity and well-being.

So, as Steve and I planned, instead of feeling happy and excited, I felt anxious. While this wasn’t pleasant to experience or watch, it was important to identify what I was feeling, understand the significance, and embrace being uncomfortable. By doing that I realized that I am the guardian of my own white space. Duh. No one is saying, “Linda, you have to schedule every waking moment on your calendar.”  In fact, my body had a visceral reaction when I thought I was going to over-schedule my time. My reaction was so intense (and impossible to ignore) that it prevented me from making all of the decisions we wanted to make.

Here’s what happened. We prioritized. We made a few plans. We kept some weekends free. We might choose to secure a few more dates on the calendar, but for now I’m guarding that white space. What my mind understood earlier this year, my body reminded me of loudly and clearly.

How much white space do you need? How do you manage and protect your time? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join our conversation.

In March, I introduced a new blog feature, “What’s Interesting?to share my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. Round two of this feature includes fun, inspiring, and interesting time-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You're such an engaged group. I look forward to your feedback, participation, and additions to the collection I've sourced for you. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read - Focus

The One Thing by Gary Keller

On route to Phoenix last month for the NAPO conference, I discovered The One Thing – The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller. He begins the book with a Russian proverb that highlights his message, “If you chase two rabbits you will not catch either one.” Keller shares strategies for focusing your time and energy around doing the onething that’s most important. He says, “...extraordinary results are directly determined by how narrow you can make your focus.”

2. Interesting Resource – Time Saver

This online resource, CashInMyBag.com, saves you time and pays you money upfront for your used designer clothing and accessories that you want to sell. After providing you with a quote, they’ll send you a box with pre-paid shipping label, making the process quick and easy.

3. Interesting Conference – Disorganization

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization’s (ICD) annual conference is September 18-20, 2014 in Nashville TN. Organizing and related professionals from all over the world will gather to learn from each other and industry leaders including ADHD expert Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. and organizing pioneer, Judith Kolberg. Sessions include topics such as hoarding, ADHD, coaching, decision-making, and the latest research on chronic disorganization.

4. Interesting Product – Timer

I am a long-standing fan of Time Timer products. The timers, which have a visual time-elapsing display are available in electronic and physical versions. My favorite product is the 3” square timer, which I use for speaking, coaching, and teaching. At the NAPO conference, Time Timer introduced new options...colored cases instead of just black. I bought the turquoise timer and used it just this week for a coaching session with one of my clients.

5. Interesting Thought - Start

We only have so much time in a day, week, year or lifetime to accomplish our dreams. Why procrastinate or stress any longer? Start today. Now is all we have.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your interesting finds? Do any of these resonate with you?  Come join the conversation!

“I am definitely going to take a course in time management . . . just as soon as I can work it into my schedule.”

— Louis E. Boone

We receive a gift each day with 1,440 minutes (aka 24 hours).

• What do you do with your time?

• Do you have enough time to work, play and relax?

• Do you desire more time with friends, family or self?

• Do you wish your time were more focused?

• Do you feel like your time is being wasted?

• Do you find it challenging to manage your time?

There are many ways to manage our time. One possibility is to organize using time blocks or containers. Time has a daily repeating pattern. Within that pattern, we need time to work, play, and restore. We each desire a different combination of the amount of time needed, how we define our various areas of priorities.

Set aside time to define your priorities. Think about:

• What’s most important to you?

• What are the different areas of life or “containers” that your time will get organized into?

• Which containers will be larger?

• Which will be smaller?

• What combination of containers is right for you?

Once your priorities are clear: 

• Choose your container sizes.

• Choose how to fill them.

• Arrange them in ways that best align with your priorities.

What if you introduced color-coding for your containers or time blocks to enhance visual understanding of where your time is going?

Color isn’t useful for everyone, but if you’re a visual processor like I am, it can work well. For my time blocks, I use purple for business, turquoise for personal, green for professional associations, and pink for kids. Within a given week, at a glance I can see what my time looks like with the big color blocks or containers and whether I’m in alignment with my priorities.

What do you do with your time? How do you organize it? I’d love to learn what works and doesn’t work for you? Come join the conversation.

As we welcome the new month, we also begin a new time of the year. New evokes opportunity, change, and growth. Time can feel expansive or limiting. What will time be like for you? Do you ever feel like you're not ready? Do you feel like it's not yet your time to do, to try, or to get out there?

“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”

 - Albert Einstein

Is fear or lack of confidence holding you back?

• Maybe you don’t feel ready for organizing your paper piles.
• Maybe you don’t feel ready to say “yes” to a job with more responsibility.
• Maybe you don’t feel ready to volunteer.
• Maybe you don’t feel ready to try something outside your comfort zone.
• Maybe you don’t feel ready to . . . (fill in the blank).

Here’s the good news. Time helps us get ready, though we might not realize it at first. The “ready” can involve acquiring new skills or making a gentle perspective shift. We’re never 100% ready for venturing towards uncertainty. However, there’s a good chance that we’re ready enough. Know the power of taking small steps. Acknowledge your previous challenges and successes. These prepare you, so when the time comes, you’ll be ready enough.

This past week, I attended the NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) conference in Phoenix where professional organizers from around the globe gathered to learn and exchange ideas about our industry. While there, I was invited to speak in Japan at the JALO (Japanese Association of Life Organizers) conference. I’ve never traveled to or presented in that part of the world. While I don’t have all the details worked out, time prepared me to be ready enough to say, “Yes” to this wonderful, exciting opportunity.How does time prepare you? What does ready enough look like? What becomes possible with a perspective shift?