Imagine a day where every single aspect is planned. Every task mapped out to the second. Every moment maxed out, and spontaneity? Well, that’s just a dirty word!
Of course, a life like this would be no life at all. Isn’t it the off-the-cuff, reactionary moments that make life so pleasurable?
But, how about a life where there was more time for spontaneity, for enjoyable and unplanned activities? The key to these is in making space for them and the solution to that lies in streamlining those areas of your life that are repetitive; the chores, the “also ran” tasks that we all have to undertake (but loathe nonetheless).
Streamlining can mean different things to different people. Take the office worker, who sends countless routine emails every day. The content doesn’t change, but the practice of retyping each takes valuable minutes of the day. Or the executive with meetings across town, constantly running backwards and forwards between appointments. With simple streamlining of tasks, templates created, perhaps commute times used productively, these two can free up a significant amount of time, and more importantly free themselves from the feeling of overwhelm which accompanies the sentiment of “too much to do, too little time”.
That’s easy to say, but exactly how difficult in reality is this to achieve?
Are you addicted to your busy? So what? Sometimes it’s great to be busy. That feeling of ticking off the final task on a long checklist. That feeling of achievement. But what if you’re addicted to the adrenalin-rush that comes from rushing from one task to the next, never taking a breath to review what you’ve achieved, because you’re so busy looking at what still needs to be done? Constantly working to deadline after deadline? Sound familiar? Well, a little bit of excitement never hurt anyone, but this hectic pattern doesn’t leave any time or space for spontaneity and the excitement that that can bring. If you wear your busy-ness as a badge of honor, it’s time to stop. Instead, realize that you count just as much during rest and relaxed times as you do during frantic ones. It’s not about your to-do list! Sometimes we adopt diversion tactics, using our busyness as a foil for real issues in our life. Unfortunately, they’re just a diversion and the harsh reality is that those darn problems will still be there when the busy, busy, busy stops. Instead, focus on relaxation techniques and exercises that will provide some respite for your mind, body and soul. You may even find that you have time in these moments to address those problems and find a solution to them.
Free up more time for the stuff you love. We all have ideas of our own “dream life”. The way we think life should be. But by streamlining the routine tasks, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Ensure you reward yourself for your hard work by pencilling in some ‘me-time’. That way, you’ll be encouraged to streamline more. Your rest, recharge and relax time allows your brain to reset and be ready for the next period of activity.
Have you ever forgotten to follow through? With so much going on, it can be so easy to drop any of the balls we are constantly juggling. This just leads to feelings of anxiety and, ultimately of failure. Of course, the whole “work smarter, not harder” concept has to be underpinned by efficient notes and systems. To aid this, why not make use of the plentiful online apps and management programs available? Failing that, employ good old pencil and paper or a calendar and get to work organizing to create a harmonious life.
It’s true that life definitely isn’t like the movies. We all have those boring tasks and we all have to grit our teeth and just buckle down to getting them done. But, the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants moments are the ones that generally make us the memories. The unexpected times, the exciting moments that really make our life, so why would you not want to make more of those? Life can be exciting…if you also do a little bit of planning, too.
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