Time Management and Your Purpose-Driven Life
How many hats do you wear? Well, not literally, of course. You hear that phrase all of the time…”wearing many hats.”
What that essentially means is that in life, we all have different roles that we play in different groups. If you don't consider those roles, it can cause you time management issues down the line.
Often entrepreneurs find that they schedule in their work-related roles and sometimes forget others. That leads to burnout and overwhelm.
You have important things to do in this world! We can't have you experiencing burnout!
When you are purpose-driven, you understand that every role in your life needs a strategic place in your time allocation.
My Roles
Well, let's see… I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, volunteer, business owner, speaker, catalyst choir member, friend, counselor, small group member, coach, dog sitter, salesperson, gluten-free cook, marketer, room mom, committee member, employer, board member, yoga student, etc.
In about 8 seconds, I have already listed a number of roles that I play in life. Notice, as I listed these out, work and personal roles intertwined. Each role requires different levels of energy, skill, and time.
Remember Your Roles When Scheduling Priorities
Whenever someone asks you to do something for them, you have choices to make.
In the past, I have talked about nice ways to say no. When you go through the decision-making process, make sure you remember all of your roles.
Often, when we are asked to do something, we evaluate it based on the role we are currently “sitting” in. Then, we agree and a few days later say “Oh! What did I do??”
Create a Role List
One technique that works well for many is to have a sheet that you use as a reference that identifies all of the different roles that you have. Then, rather than saying “Yes” to every question immediately, take a moment to reference your roles list to make sure that you have the time for everything in your life.
What Do You Do?
What techniques do you do to manage all of the various roles in your life? I'd love to hear and I'm sure my readers would too! Share your comments in the comment section of this blog posting (at the bottom where it says comment.)
To your easy and joyful success!
Stephanie
P.S. Let this settle and notice what is true for you. Every moment offers the opportunity to create the life you want with grace, ease, and joy. Let me know when you’re ready to explore possible next steps.
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DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS POST DOES NOT CONSTITUTE BUSINESS ADVICE. NO RELATIONSHIP, INCLUDING ADVISOR/CLIENT, HAS BEEN FORMED AS A RESULT OF THIS POST.
It can be really hard to balance out our love of helping and taking care of others and taking care of our selves can’t it? I know that story well. One problem I’ve noticed with my clients is not over scheduling but not scheduling in recovery time. Some activities take a lot out of us.
I just wish I actually got a cute hat for each role…I love a good hat!
warm wishes
Bonnie
Life Coach
Your post is a thought provoking one as we are all busy these days with many roles to play. I manage my roles by getting organised in what I do and allocating time each day to them. I think it is important not to take on too much, remembering that one’s priorities lie within the home and family first. As my mother always says “Charity begins at home” Thank you for sharing your advice
Hi Moira – Thanks for stopping by. Keeping organized and having your top priorities front and center is certainly the key.
Great post Stephanie. Tough to answer, but saying “No” is one of the toughest things to do. I’ve learn’t the hard way & find myself saying no to many things now – things that just don’t make sense & chew up my time unnecessarily. As an over simplification, I compartmentalize – family, purpose, other. Family my #1 priority. Love, safety & well being never get a “no”. I always find myself prioritizing family things though. The business compartment – as long as the task relates to my purpose it will not get a “no”. More things than most, get the “no”. In reality we can only do 1 task at a time – learning a) to prioritize in real time and b) say no is a good thing and will keep you sane in the long run.
I could not agree more Gary. I learned the hard way too. It looks like we set very similar priorities. I love your quote “say no is a good thing and will keep you sane in the long run.” So true. Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts.