Adding new activities to our daily routines can be a challenge for many of us since almost all of us are overloaded already. Sometimes our wishful thinking makes us believe that we can add things without figuring out how they will fit in the time available. Since we were already stressed, we soon drop these new activities because we become more stressed even though we want very much to do these new and wonderful things.
Creating the life of our dreams requires the "elbow grease" of looking at the hours in the day, how long each activity really takes, and determining where new things could fit. The first place to look is at the activities that don't really add to our quality of life. In my case, that would be playing solitaire on the computer. Now that's not a bad thing, it just doesn't add to the quality of my life. It serves the purpose of giving my brain and body a rest.
However, there are more effective ways of resting that really improve the quality of my life. I've found that lying on my back on the living room rug with earphones on, listening to lovely music, with a scented candle burning, and gently stretching my muscles, refreshes me more than solitaire. Plus it adds to the quality of my life in a big way.
The next place to look for time is in areas where I could streamline. I've actually found books that show how to streamline the daily maintenance of homes and other areas of life like errands. It's amazing how doing a little study ahead of time and doing these chores in an organized way can add hours to the day.
The next place to look is at things I can get help with or delegate all together. Asking for help or even buying help is often worth it for the hours I can add to my daily life that add to my quality of life.
My favorite time saver is just doing things in a mediocre or sloppy way. I don't feel bad about this anymore at all. For example, I clean out closets like this: I stand in front of the open closet. I look for things I don't want any more, pull them out and put them in a trash bag. I put the trash bag in the garage and call one of the charities that pick stuff up. This whole activity takes about 15 minutes. I probably miss some stuff. So what. In the past I've spent whole days on this type of activity. I regret that time - it didn't add to my quality of life at all. I can't tell much difference in my closets now that I don't do that. When they get too full, I take stuff out and give it away. I spend a tiny bit of time on it and move on to better things.
There's a lot to be said for the later years in life. Right now I am appreciating my awareness of how little time I have left to live and I am even more dedicated than ever to making sure every bit of it is used for good!
Empowerment enhances the ability of individuals or organizations to make choices and transform those choices into positive outcomes. Empowered people have recognized their own value and strength and their capacity to handle life's problems. In turn they are better able to influence the course of their lives. With information and support, most people can find within themselves the power to direct their lives and reach their dreams.
No comments:
Post a Comment