I don’t have the time.
How often do you hear yourself say this phrase, and what are the things that you don’t have time for?
Generally, we prioritise everything that doesn’t involve looking after ourselves: helping others, work, saying yes to everything…
Now these are often important, and sometimes essential, but remember there is only one of you and you are a finite resource. If you don’t look after that resource you will not be able to do any of the other things that you need and want to do.
Time is a slippery thing. Often it races by without you even having time to register that the day has whizzed past. Other times it crawls so slowly that you cannot believe that it’s not lunchtime yet. I also bet that as soon as anything that needs urgent attention crops up: leaking ceiling, broken washing machine, a trip to the hospital – time will be found to accommodate it and everything else will also get done.
You are in charge of how you look at time, and how you use it. Of course, there are things that you absolutely have to do in any given day and I’m not for a moment suggesting that you don’t do them. However, a clear sense of perspective of what you need and want to do, rather than concentrating on the ‘shoulds’ is a great place to start.
Also, you need to start thinking that looking after yourself is urgent too and has to be right up there on your list of priorities. Start by asking yourself how things will be different if you are able to give yourself the time you need to look after yourself? How will you feel?
By looking after yourself you will have more resources, energy and motivation to deal with all the other stuff that life is throwing at you, which sounds like a win win situation to me.
Imagine knowing that you have a plan and you have prioritised what you need to do and that you have time to do it. Freedom from overwhelm is the best skill you can give yourself. You will also be giving yourself the best chance to be able to cope.
So, what are you going to find time for today?
I help quiet professionals deal overwhelm and help them come up with a plan to move forward so they can use their voice to be heard, without having to shout. Message me at sophie@quietosophy.com if you want to find out more.
#burnout #priorities #overwhelm
