You don’t need more time …you just need to decide.

Monthly review: choosing where to spend my time

You don’t need more time …you just need to decide.

I do think this is one my favourite quotes of all time. And like most people I have been guilty of saying “I don’t have time” for something. The reality is we do have time, but we have chosen not to spend it on that activity.

You might have noticed that I missed my August monthly review write up. I could explain it away by saying that had a lot on and didn’t have time for it. But it wasn’t that I didn’t have time to write a review for August. I could have carved out time for it, if it was a priority for me. At this time though, it was not a priority. I chose not to spend time on it. Instead I chose to spend time:

  • doing a Harry Potter puzzle with the youngest
  • talking with the oldest
  • getting sleep

Nor did I end up having my indoor plants set up by the end of September like I had committed to doing. I have the list of the plants I want, I know somewhere close to get the plants, but I have seen some pots that I want and they are a decent drive away.

I chose to not spend time on this activity over the last two months. As noted I had already spent some big chunks of time away from the family, so made the decision that this could wait.

I don’t love it when I don’t accomplish things I set out to or when I miss things like writing up my monthly reviews. However, I have learnt to accept that when you have a full life with a number of interests, sometimes you have to make decisions on where you spend your time.

Once I make that decision I run with it and don’t dwell on what I “could” have done. This doesn’t help at all and it certainly doesn’t help me be present with what I have chosen to do.

Sometimes I make the wrong choice on where to spend my time. Most of the time when this happens it occurs when I said yes to something, when I knew in my head I should say no, but didn’t. So I either mentally or physically note this down so the same thing doesn’t happen again and I learn from it.

Choosing where I spend my time is definitely something I have become better at and it is something that I continue to work on. Rephrasing my response when the phrase “I didn’t have time” is about to blurt out of my mouth to “It wasn’t a priority” has helped me tremendously in this process.

It wasn’t a priority.

I challenge you to tell that to yourself, the next time you feel you don’t have time and see what it brings up for you.

Where have you been choosing to spend your time?

August / September monthly review

HabitConnection to goal - Nurture new routines to re-energise, re-invigorate and create personal growth.Poem quoteAug/ Sept Review
Establish a new work routineI have been working from home for the last 10 years and the last couple I have had less connection with others.

In 2019 I want to change the way I work to re-energise the way I feel about work.
“Don't let your life goals fall victim to the allure of comfortable routines.”
~ Zero Dean
While I have my out of the home work routine completely sorted, I have struggled the last couple of months with my work from home (Planning With Kids) work - which would explain why this review is for August and September.

I flagged in July that August would be a "just get by" month with work in this regard as I have significant time away from the home on three weekends.

Without time on the weekends to get organised for the week and do extra housework, it is tough to keep on top of things. To keep family harmony I decided to pull back on the PWK work so I could allocate more time to making sure things were running smoothly at home.

I am often asked "how do I do it all" and this is clear evidence that I simply don't do it all. But what I do, is make conscious choices about where I will spend my time.
Establish a new morning routineI have had the same morning routine for about the last 5 years. It has served me well, but with the changes in ages of the kids there is now greater flexibility and it is time, I tried some new routines to re-invigorate the start to my day.“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.”
~ John C. Maxwell
My morning routines are running smoothly. I share what my typical day looks like - My typical day 2019.
Dedicate two hours a week to learning something newI read, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, but I haven't taken the time to really learn something new for some time.

This habit may change a little along the way, but the aim is that I learn something that helps me grow or gives me a new skill.
"Change is the end result of all true learning."
~Leo Buscaglia
I am continuing my learning with herbs and natural remedies. I have completed some short online courses which have been very informative.
Create a bimonthly non fiction book clubStarting a book club has been on my list of things to do for years and by making it non fiction, it will support my goal for personal growth. Yes I could read the books on my own, but I always get so much more out of a book if I know I have to discuss it with others.“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
~Dr. Seuss
We just finished Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life which I found very practical (Affiliate link).

Interestingly the book's diet recommendations are along the lines of the changes I have made over the last few years - removing dairy and processed foods, eating less meat and increasing spicy foods!

I am trying its recommendations of having the biggest meal in the middle of the day and a lighter meal at the end of the day and eating only in daylight hours. I still need to tweak it slightly to make sure I am getting in enough food to support my running, but feel better with a lighter meal at the end of the day.