One of the things I wish I would have implemented sooner was setting non negotiable time blocks for myself. I wasted valuable days / hours / months / years of my life worrying instead of doing. Worrying about "if it was going to work out" or "if its not perfect the first time I've ruined my chance." By living in that mindset, I really did myself a huge disservice and likely missed quite a few opportunities because of it. I justified my thoughts by claiming I was prioritizing. The truth is I was scared of what could potentially go wrong instead of getting excited about everything that could go right. Once I figured out that the key to being successful was non negotiable time, everything changed.
What is it, exactly? (GREAT question!)
It is exactly what it sounds like. A couple of days a week, I set aside time blocks (an hour or two) that I designate for certain things. That time is not negotiable. If I'm not feeling it in that moment, I remind myself that I have set that time aside to specifically, for instance, work on my business. Or pamper myself. Or meditate. Whatever it is, I don't get to negotiate that time. It's only for _____________. No matter what. Chores, outings, whatever can happen after that time I set aside. People I tell this to often say to me "I don't have time for that" or "I'm too busy, I can't do that". Sometimes I even get "It must be nice..."
Yo. Do you think I'm NOT busy? Do you think I don't have a stacked and heavy full time job, 3 cats, 3 kids, a business, a garden, AND a household to maintain? Sometimes I don't even have time to take a shower. Girl, bye... but if you want it, make it happen. You know when I set up The Lemon Jar? After work. I clean the litter boxes and fill the bowls before I clock in for work. On my first break, I pop in a load of laundry and take a quick shower. On my lunch break, I usually prep/ cook dinner and get the wash into the dryer. On my last break, I might sit down and eat a little something knowing I'll be gone until 9-10pm. Get off work, set up the lemonade stand. Come home, unload, and non negotiate. That's just Monday thru Friday. Its my routine. Is it a lot sometimes? Yes. Is it worth it? Also, yes.
Financially, I'm still not exactly where I want to be, but I'm getting there. I see it. There was a time when I couldn't even afford the gas to go to the end of the driveway. In the last year alone, I stopped renting and bought a house. I've gone on more little mini vacays than I have in several years combined. I've invested in a food truck and another collaborative venture that's in the works and continually growing. I've expanded my $8 lemonade stand into a full blown business that is also continually growing and expanding. I actually have a small savings that is more than $100.
My point? I set the time aside despite my busy and chaotic lifestyle to invest myself into things that I want. For the first time in years, I'm smiling. Like, a genuine happy smile. I'm proud of myself. I'm driven to keep going because I see how my hard work has paid off. I adore the fact that if I wanted to hop on a plane and fly across the country to celebrate a birthday, I can. All things I couldn't do before. That 2-3 hours a week I devoted to growing my business made a HUGE impact. It allowed me time to focus solely on making important decisions and to strategize without distraction. I have also made it a point to do this for personal time. Wednesday's from 10-11 I put on a face mask, turn the phone onto DND, and I watch a show or two. Sunday evenings I write. I don't have a time limit set for that, because I just do it. For hours.
Time is something you can't get back. Once it's gone, it's gone. There is no use in dwelling on it. What you CAN do utilize the time you have moving forward. Go on the cruise. Start knocking things off of the bucket list. Money comes and goes, but time is not guaranteed and memories and meaningful relationships are priceless.
I know it sounds cliche', but its true... you only live once. Tomorrow isn't promised. Start doing the things you dream about. I live my life simply. I ask myself every morning "If I were to die tomorrow, would I be happy with how I lived today?" I literally make decisions with that in my mind. Every. Single. Day. You'd be surprised how quickly your life changes when you start living each day as if it were your last. Genuinely.