Transcript for:
Lecture Notes on Time Management

I want to talk to you about a topic that is so important yet often overlooked in our busy fast-paced lives and that topic is learning how to spend your time wisely you see time is the one resource that we all have in equal measure no matter who you are where you come from or what you do for a living you have the same 24 hours in a day as everyone else but what set successful people apart is how they choose to spend those hours I've been studying the habits and mindsets of high Achievers for decades now and one thing I've noticed is that they all have a deep respect for time they understand that every moment is precious and they make a conscious effort to use their time in a way that aligns with their values goals and priorities but for many of us spending our time wisely doesn't come naturally we get caught up in The Daily Grind the endless to-do lists the distractions and demands of Modern Life we feel like we're constantly running on a hamster wheel never quite getting ahead never quite finding the time to do the things that truly matter to us if this sounds familiar don't worry you're not alone and the good news is that learning to spend your time wisely is a skill that can be developed just like any other so today I want to share with you some of the most powerful strategies and insights I've learned over the years about how to make the most of your time whether you're looking to be more productive at work build stronger relationships or simply find more joy and fulfillment in your daily life these principles will help you get there but before we dive in I want to start with a simple question how much time do you think you have left on this Earth have you ever really stopped to consider it the truth is none of us knows how much time we have we could have decades ahead of us or just a few short years but one thing is certain our time is limited and once it's gone we can never get it back so let me ask you this if you knew that you only had one year left to live how would you spend your time differently what would you prioritize who would you spend your time with what kind of Legacy would you want to Leave Behind These are the kinds of questions that can help us cut through the noise and distractions of daily life and get to the heart of what really matters because when we start to see our time as a precious finite resource we naturally start to use it more wisely so let's talk about some practical strategies for spending your time in a way that aligns with your values and priorities the first step is to get clear on what those values and priorities actually are what do you stand for what kind of person do you want to be what kind of Life do you want to create for yourself and those around you take some time to really think about these questions and write down your answers because when you have a clear sense of your values and priorities it becomes much easier to make decisions about how to spend your time for example let's say one of your core values is family if you're clear on that value then it becomes much easier to prioritize spending quality time with your loved ones even if it means saying no to other demands on your time or let's say one of your top priorities is building your career and achieving financial success if you're clear on that priority then it becomes much easier to focus your time and energy on the activities and relationships that will move you closer to that goal but here's the thing getting clear on your values and priorities is just the first step the real challenge is putting them into practice day after day Moment by moment and this is where the rubber meets the road because let's face it life is full of distractions and demands on our time there will always be emails to answer errands to run people to please and if we're not careful these things can quickly consume our days and leave us feeling like we're not making any real progress toward our goals so how do we stay focused and disciplined in the face of all these distractions how do we make sure we're spending our time in a way that truly matters one of the most powerful strategies I found is to create a daily schedule or routine that reflects your values and priorities this means blocking out time each day for the activities and relationships that are most important to you and treating that time is sacred for example if your top priority is your health and well-being then you might block out an hour each morning for exercise and meditation if your top priority is your family then you might set aside a few hours each evening for quality time with your loved ones without any distractions or interruptions the key is to be intentional about how you structure your days and to create a schedule that supports your values and priorities rather than undermining them but of course even with the best intentions and the most carefully crafted schedule life has a way of throwing curveballs at us unexpected emergencies come up plans change priorities shift and this is where the real test of our commitment to spending our time wisely comes in because it's easy to stick to our values and priorities when everything is going smoothly but what about when things get tough what about when we're faced with difficult choices and competing demands on our time this is where the power of saying no comes in because here's the truth we can't do everything we can't be everything to everyone and if we try to be we'll quickly find ourselves stretched too thin burned out and unable to show up fully for the things that truly matter to us so learning to say no is a critical skill when it comes to spending our time wisely it means being willing to set boundaries to disappoint people sometimes to make tough choices about what we will and won't do with our precious time and this can be scary especially if we're used to being people Pleasers are always putting others needs before our own but the alternative is far worse because when we don't set boundaries and make tough choices about our time we end up living lives that aren't truly our own we end up feeling like we're constantly Running on Empty never quite catching up never quite finding the time to do the things that light us up inside so how do we get better at saying no how do we build the courage and confidence to set boundaries and make tough choices about our time one of the most powerful things we can do is to get clear on our own worth and value because when we truly believe that we are worthy of living a life that aligns with our deepest values and priorities it becomes much easier to say no to the things that don't serve us this means taking the time to cultivate a deep sense of self-love and self-respect it means learning to trust our own instincts and intuition even when others may not understand or agree with our choices if means being willing to stand up for ourselves in our needs even when it's uncomfortable or scary and this is a lifelong journey not a one-time event because the truth is there will always be new challenges and demands on our time there will always be people in situations that test our commitment to our values and priorities but the more we practice setting boundaries saying no and making tough choices about our time the easier it becomes the more we build that muscle of self-worth and self-respect respect the more naturally we start to align our lives with what truly matters to us and here's the beautiful thing when we start to live in alignment with our deepest values and priorities when we start to spend our time in a way that truly nourishes and fulfills us something magical starts to happen we start to feel more alive more engaged more connected to ourselves and the world around us we start to experience a sense of purpose and meaning that goes beyond just getting through the day or checking things off our to-do list we start to tap into a well of creativity inspiration and joy that we may not have even known was there because when we're spending our time in a way that truly lights us up when we're fully present and engaged in the moment we open ourselves up to a whole new level of possibility and potential and this is the ultimate goal of learning to spend our time wisely it's not just about being more productive or efficient although those are certainly valuable benefits it's about creating a life that is Rich meaningful and fulfilling on every level so let me ask you this what kind of Life do you want to create for yourself what kind of person do you want to be what kind of impact do you want to have on the world around you these are the questions that can guide us as we navigate the challenges and choices of daily life these are the questions that can help us stay true to ourselves and our deepest values even in the faith of distractions and demands on our time and here's the thing spending our time wisely isn't always easy it requires discipline courage and a willingness to make tough choices sometimes but the rewards are so worth it because when we learn to spend our time in a way that truly aligns with who we are and what we stand for we start to experience a level of fulfillment and joy that goes beyond anything we could have imagined we start to feel like we're living our lives on purpose rather than just going through the motions we start to feel like we're making a real difference in the world even if it's just in small ways each day and that's what I want for each and every one of you I want you to experience the Deep satisfaction and fulfillment that comes from spending your time in a way that truly matters to you so as we wrap up today's video I want to leave you with a few final thoughts and challenges first I want you to take some time in the next few days to really think about your values and priorities what do you stand for what kind of Life do you want to create for yourself and those around you write down your answers and keep them somewhere where you can refer back to them often second I want you to start paying attention to how you're currently spending your time are you making choices that align with your values and priorities or are you getting caught up in distractions and demands that don't really serve you be honest with yourself and start to notice patterns and areas where you might want to make some changes and third I want you to start practicing the art of saying no start small by setting one boundary or making one tough choice about your time each day and as you build that muscle start to look for bigger opportunities to align your life with with what truly matters to you remember this is a journey not a destination there will be ups and downs successes and setbacks but every choice you make every moment you spend in alignment with your deep values and priorities is a step in the right direction and as you continue on this journey know that you are not alone there is a whole community of people out there who are also striving to live lives of purpose and meaning who are also learning to spend their time in a way that truly matters so Reach Out connect with others and support each other on this path because together we can create a world where more and more people are living lives that are rich fulfilling and deeply meaningful and that's what I want for all of us that's the vision that drives me every day and that's what I hope to inspire in each and every one of you so thank you for taking the time to watch this video today thank you for being open to the possibilities and potential that live inside of you and thank you for being a part of this community of people who are striving to live lives of purpose and meaning I believe in you I believe in your ability to create a life that truly lights you up inside and I can't wait to see what amazing things you'll do with your precious time on this Earth one of the most powerful things you can do is to create a daily or weekly schedule that reflects your values and priorities this means taking a proactive approach to your time rather than just reacting to whatever comes up in the moment start by blocking out time for the activities and relationships that are most important to you this might include things like exercise meditation quality time with family and friends working on a passion project or learning a new skill treat this time as sacred and do your best to protect it from distractions and interruptions this might mean setting clear boundaries with others turning off notifications on your phone or computer or finding a quiet space where you can focus without being disturbed another key strategy is to learn to prioritize your tasks and responsibilities based on their importance and urgency this means taking a step back and evalua which activities and commitments are truly essential and which ones can be delegated deferred or eliminated altoe one simple tool for this is the Eisenhower Matrix which helps you categorize your tasks into four quadrants urgent and important important but not urgent urgent urgent but not important and neither urgent nor important by focusing your time and energy on the tasks in the first two quadrants and minimizing or eliminating the tasks in the last two you can start start to get a better handle on your time and make sure you're spending it on the things that truly matter another important aspect of spending your time wisely is learning to be fully present and engaged in each moment this means letting go of distractions and multitasking and giving your full attention to whatever you're doing whether it's working on a project having a conversation with a loved one or simply enjoying a beautiful sunset one powerful way to cultivate this kind of presence is through the practice of mindfulness this means paying attention to your thoughts feelings and Sensations in the present moment without judgment or distraction you can practice mindfulness through formal meditation or simply by bringing a sense of awareness and curiosity to your daily activities for example when you're eating a meal really pay attention to the flavors textures and sensations of the food when you're having a conversation with someone really listen to what they're saying without getting caught up in your own thoughts or judgments the more you practice being fully present and engaged in each moment the more you'll start to experience a sense of flow and ease in your life you'll find that you're able to accomplish more with less effort and that you're able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life in a deeper and more meaningful way another key aspect of spending your time wisely is learning to let go of perfectionism and the need to control everything this means embracing the fact that life is messy unpredictable and often outside of our control and learning to flow with the ups and downs rather than fighting against them this can be a challenging practice especially if you're someone who likes to have everything planned out and under control but the truth is trying to control everything is a recipe for stress anxiety and burnout it's simply not possible to predict or manage every outcome and the more we try to do so the more we set ourselves up for disappointment and frustration Instead try to cultivate a sense of flexibility and adaptability in your approach to time management be willing to adjust your plans and priorities as needed based on changing circumstances or new information and when things don't go as planned try to find the lesson or opportunity in the situation rather than getting caught up in blame or regret one way to practice this kind of flexibility is to build some buffer time into your schedule each day or week this means leaving some unstructured time in your calendar where you can respond to unexpected tasks or opportunities that come up or simply take a break and recharge your batteries another way to let go of perfectionism is to practice self-compassion and kindness toward yourself this means treating yourself with the same care and understanding that you would extend to a good friend rather than beating yourself up for every mistake or setback remember spending your time wisely is a learning process and it's okay to make mistakes or have setbacks along the way what matters is that you keep coming back to your values and priorities and keep taking steps in the direction of the life you want to create finally one of the most important aspects of spending your time wisely is cultivating a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the time you have this means taking a step back from The Daily Grind and recognizing just how precious and fleeting each moment really is one way to practice gratitude is to start each day by taking a few minutes to reflect on the things you're thankful for this might include your health your relationships your passions and interests or simply the fact that you woke up this morning with another chance to live your life to the fullest you can also practice gratitude throughout the day by looking for small moments of beauty Joy or connection and really savoring them this might mean taking a few deep breaths and appreciating the cool Brea on your skin or sharing a heartfelt laugh with a friend or loved one the more you practice gratitude the more you'll start to see your time as a gift rather than a burden or a chore you'll start to approach each day with a sense of curiosity wonder and appreciation and you'll find that even the most ordinary moments can be infused with meaning and purpose so as you continue on this journey of learning to spend your time wisely remember to be patient compassionate and kind with yourself remember that this is a lifelong practice and that there will be ups and downs along the way but also remember that every moment you spend in alignment with your deepest values and priorities is a moment well spent every choice you make to show up fully and authentically in your life is a choice that will Ripple out into the world in ways you can't even imagine and as you start to experience the joy fulfillment and meaning that comes from living a life that truly lights you up inside you'll start to inspire others to do the same you'll start to create a ripple effect of positive change in your family your community and the World At Large so keep going even when it's hard keep coming back to your values and priorities even when life gets messy and complicated and keep trusting in the power of your own wisdom courage and resilience to guide you through whatever challenges come your way because the world needs more people like you who are willing to spend their time in service of their deepest values and Highest Potential the world needs more people who are willing to show up fully and authentically and who are willing to do the hard work of creating lives in communities that are rich meaningful and deeply fulfilling and that's what I want for you and for all of us I want us to look back on our lives and know that we spent our time in a way that truly matter that we made a real difference in the world and that we lived each day with purpose passion and joy so let's keep learning growing and supporting each other on this journey let's keep reminding ourselves of what truly matters and let's keep taking small steps each day to align our lives with our deepest values and priorities and above all let's keep trusting in the power of this present moment and in the endless possibilities that live inside each and every one of us thank you for being here and for being a part of this community of people who are striving to live lives of purpose and meaning your presence matters and your time is is a precious gift so go out there and spend it wisely one moment at a time and know that I am here cheering you on every step of the way until next time take care and remember your time is the most precious gift you have spend it in a way that truly matters to you now I want to take a moment to talk about the power of focus and single tasking when it comes to spending your time wisely in today's fast-paced always connected world it's easy to fall into the Trap of multitasking and trying to do too many things at once we often feel like we need to be constantly checking our emails responding to texts and social media notifications and juggling multiple projects and responsibilities at the same time but the truth is multitasking is a myth our brains simply aren't wired to focus on more than one thing at a time and when we try to do so we end up doing everything less effectively and efficiently instead the key to spending your time wisely is to practice the art of single tasking or giving your full attention and focus to one thing at a time this means setting clear priorities for your day or week and then working on each task or project with your full attention and energy without getting distracted by other things it means closing your email and social media tabs when you're working on an important project and putting your phone on S or in another room so you're not constantly tempted to check it it means saying no to unnecessary meetings or commitments that don't align with your values and priorities and instead carving out dedicated time for deep work and focused attention and it means learning to work in short focused bursts rather than trying to grind away for hours on end without taking breaks one powerful technique for practicing single task asking is the Pomodoro method which involves working on a task for 25 minutes then taking a 5-minute break and repeating this cycle a few times before taking a longer break this technique can help you stay focused and energized throughout the day and can also help you avoid burnout and overwhelm by giving your brain regular opportunities to rest and recharge another key aspect of single tasking is learning to be fully present and engaged in each moment whether you're working on a project spending time with loved ones or simply taking a walk in nature this means letting go of distractions and worries about the past or future and instead bringing your full attention and awareness to the present moment it means savoring the small Joys and pleasures of daily life like the warmth of the sun on your face or the taste of a delicious meal rather than rushing through them or taking them for granted and it means cultivating a sense of curiosity wonder and appreciation for the world around you and for The Unique gifts and talents that you bring to each moment when you practice single tasking and being fully present in each moment you'll start to experience a greater sense of flow ease and satisfaction in your life you'll find that you're able to accomplish more with less effort and that you're able to enjoy the journey of life rather than just rushing to get to the next destination you'll also start to build deeper more meaningful relationships with the people in your life as you learn to give them your full attention and presence rather than being distracted or half pres and perhaps most importantly you'll start to cultivate a greater sense of inner peace resilience and well-being as you learn to let go of the constant chatter and distractions of the mind and instead tune into the wisdom and guidance of your own heart and soul so as you continue on this journey of learning to spend your time w wisely remember to practice the art of single tasking and being fully present in each moment remember to set clear priorities and boundaries around your time and energy and to give your full attention and focus to the things that truly matter to you and remember to cultivate a sense of curiosity wonder and appreciation for the beauty and richness of each passing moment knowing that this is where the true magic and meaning of life can be found as the old saying goes yes yesterday is history tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift that's why it's called the present so let's make the most of this precious gift of time that we've been given and let's spend it in a way that truly lights us up and makes a difference in the world and let's support and encourage each other along the way knowing that we're all in this together and that every small step we take towards living more purposefully and authentically is a step in the right direction thank you for being here and for being a part of this journey of growth Discovery and transformation your time and presence are deeply appreciated and I can't wait to see where this path takes us both individually and collectively so keep shining your light keep spending your time wisely and keep trusting in the power of this present moment to guide and support you on your way and remember I am here cheering you on every step of the way until next time take care and keep making the most of this precious gift of time that we've been given the world needs your unique gifts and talents and there's no time to waste in sharing them with the world I also want to take a moment to talk about the importance of self-care and rest when it comes to spending your time wisely in our fast-paced achievement oriented culture it's easy to fall into the Trap of thinking that we need to be constantly productive and always on the go in order to be successful or worthwhile we often feel guilty or lazy if we take time off to rest relax or simply do things that we enjoy as if these activities are somehow less valuable or important than work or other responsibilities but the truth is self-care and rest are essential components of a healthy balanced and fulfilling life they are not luxuries or indulgences but rather necessary investments in our own well-being and resilience when we take time to rest and recharge we give our bodies and Minds the opportunity to recover from the stresses and demands of daily life we allow ourselves to process and integrate our experiences to gain new insights and perspectives and to tap into our own inner wisdom and creativity and when we prioritize self-care activities like exercise healthy eating spending time in nature pursuing hobbies and interests and connecting with loved ones we build up our own reserves of energy resilience and joy which we can then bring to all areas of our lives in fact research has shown that taking regular breaks and engaging and self-care activities can actually increase our productivity creativity and overall performance both at work and in our personal lives so if you find yourself feeling guilty or unproductive when you take time off to rest or do things you enjoy remind yourself that these activities are not a waste of time but rather an essential part of a well-rounded and fulfilling life and if you struggle to make time for self-care and rest in your busy schedule try to start small and build up gradually over time even just a few minutes of intentional rest or self-care each day can make a big difference in your overall well-being and quality of life you might start by taking a few deep breaths and stretching your body for a few minutes each morning or by setting aside 15 to 30 minutes each day for a relaxing activity like reading taking a bath or practicing a hobby you might also try to prioritize getting enough sleep each night and creating a relaxing bedtime routine that helps you wind down and prepare for restful sleep and if you find yourself getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life try to take a step back and ask yourself if the activities and commitments that are filling up your time are truly aligned with your values and priorities are there any areas where you might be able to let go of unnecessary obligations or distractions and instead make more space for the things that truly nourish and fulfill you remember spending your time wisely isn't just about being productive or efficient but also about creating a life that is Rich meaningful and deeply satisfying on all levels and self-care and rest are essential components of that equation allowing us to show up more fully and authentically in all areas of our lives and to bring our best selves to the people and causes that matter most to us so as you continue on this journey of learning to spend your time wisely remember to prioritize self-care and rest as an essential part of your daily routine and overall life balance remember to listen to your body and honor its needs for rest relaxation and nourishment trusting that these activities are not a waste of time but rather an investment in your own well-being and potential and remember to approach self-care and rest with a sense of curiosity experimentation and self-compassion knowing there is no one siiz fits-all approach and that what works for you may be different from what works for someone else the key is to stay attuned to your own needs and desires and to keep making small consistent choices that align with your deepest values and priorities and as you do so trust that you are planting seeds of Joy resilience and vitality that will continue to grow and Blossom over time enriching your own life and the lives of those around you in immeasurable ways so keep taking those small steps towards a more balanced nourishing and fulfilling life and know that every moment of self-care and rest is a moment well spent and remember I am here cheering you on every step of the way and believing in your ability to create a life that truly lights you up from the inside out until next time take good care of yourself and keep making the most of this precious gift of time and life that we've been given the world needs your unique light and presence and there's no time to waste in letting it shine