At a recent time management workshop that I delivered I asked the participants this question:
What do you want more time for?
Out of 60 responses the results were:
- Sleep = 7
- Work = 7
- Travel = 9
- Hobbies = 7
- Personal projects = 10
- Friends/family = 15
Why do you want to spend more time in these areas?
Sometimes it’s because you feel these are important in your life. You might also value those opportunities, such as spending time with friends & family or sleep.
Sometimes because its rewarding to feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement, as in work, completing personal projects or hobbies.
Sometimes because its a goal that you wish to accomplish, such as a project or travel.
They all have one thing in common: The positive emotions you feel as a result
Whatever the reason why you choose to spend time in these areas its because of the positive impact it has in your life.
We don’t choose to spend more time on things that we don’t feel good doing.
Are you willing to put in the time management effort it takes to do what makes you happy?
So how do you get more time to do the things you want to do?
Firstly, you need to prioritise it. Put it on your ‘To Do’ list.
No one is going to hand it over to you and say, ‘hey take this time to do whatever you like’.
You need to take the time it takes, to do the things you want. Plan the best time to do it and then treat that time as precious.
Don’t let others impede on that time.
Book it into your diary and manage any interruption that tries to get in the way.
Notify the people that need to know.
Say no to requests for that time.
Don’t allow yourself to devalue the thing that makes you happy
The more time you spend on things that produce a positive emotion the better your quality of life.
People who prioritise happiness are:
- happier
- more resilient
- appreciate life more
- have better relationships
- spread positivity to others
- are more creative
In the workplace, when people spend more time doing what they enjoy doing, they:
- are more engaged
- accept change better
- are more efficient in completing all their work tasks.
Advice for leaders:
If you’re a leader, help your team to create more situations at work that lead to experiencing more positive emotions. It’s not one big event that makes the difference but the prioritising of smaller moments everyday.
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