Time is one of our most valuable commodities, yet most of us give it away without honestly thinking about where it’s going or with whom we should really be sharing it.
Most people have to work. This is a necessary time allotment that we have to make in order to pay our mortgages and put food on our tables. At home, we have responsibilities that are time-consuming, yet necessary: laundry, cleaning and taking out the garbage are all necessary.
Aside from these necessary time expenditures, I think many people would be amazed if they took an inventory of where else they spend their time. Because time is both precious and limited, it is certainly worth our time to determine if we’re making the most of it.
As with finances and clutter, simplifying our schedules or more deliberately managing our time expenditures can offer an oasis of peace in everyday life.
Make a list of whom and what is most important in your life. Is this where your time is being spent? If not, perhaps you might want to rearrange your schedule.
Commit to spending quality time with your spouse, children or those people closest to you. Never underestimate the value (both for you and for them) of sharing time with the people who matter most.
Learn to say no. This is a difficult one for many of us because we feel guilty when we say no to someone’s request. The truth is, our time is as valuable as everyone else’s time. Learn to value your time; you only have a finite amount of it.
Unplug and disconnect. It is so easy to waste time on television, cell-phones, and the internet. Instead of giving up hours to Facebook, go for a walk, say a prayer, run around with your kids, ask your significant other about their day and listen to their answer.
Time for yourself is not selfish. We all need a little time to recharge our batteries. When our minds and spirits are refreshed and energized, we have more to offer to the world around us. Finding a few moments to focus does not make us self-centered — especially when we are doing this to be better versions of ourselves for the people we love.
Adults who tend to be over-scheduled should also consider that they might be over-scheduling their children. Alvin Rosenfeld, M.D., a contributing writer for Psychology Today, believes that enrolling children in too many activities has become an acute nationwide problem.
“Overscheduling our children is not only a widespread phenomenon, it’s how we parent today,” he says. “Parents feel remiss that they’re not being good parents if their kids aren’t in all kinds of activities. Children are under pressure to achieve, to be competitive. I know sixth-graders who are already working on their resumes so they’ll have an edge when they apply for college.”
Most children do not like to disappoint their parents; rather than talking about feeling overloaded or stretched too thin, they try to finish everything on their plate of activities to make parents happy.
Parents have to set the example for their children. Help your child make a list of what activities they enjoy the most and maybe limit some of these from their weekly routine. Try making activities seasonal so your children can participate in activities they enjoy without having to do them all simultaneously. As with candy, children can never have enough. As parents, we need to be able to say no and act in the best interest of our children. We have to recognize when enough is enough.