A few years ago, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Stephan Rechtschaffen, co-founder of the world-renown Omega Institute and author of Time Shifting: Creating More Time To Enjoy Your Life. As a holistic physician, Dr. Rechtschaffen has helped people through a variety of ailments. One near and dear to his heart, however, stems from our relationship to time – namely, how we never seem to have enough.
According to Dr. Rechtschaffen, over 90% of our stress comes from “time poverty.” Not sure if you suffer from this ailment? Here’s a quick test.
Do you ever feel like:
You don’t have enough time?
You’re under constant pressure?
Life is zooming by?
You’re trapped on a never-ending treadmill of activity?
No matter what you’re doing, you should be doing something else?
If you can answer “No,” congratulations are in order (and I hope you’re writing a book on this topic!). If “Yes,” welcome to a vast and welcoming club.
In order to overcome these nagging feelings and subsequent stress, Dr. Rechtschaffen suggests we change our relationship with time. One of the greatest tools I’ve used and shared over the years is what I call the Ideal Time Map.
You’ve likely heard of a time log, or a detailed assessment of where and how you spend your time. The Ideal Time Map follows a similar approach, however rather than logging how you’re currently spending your time (which is incredibly worthwhile), it prompts you to decide how you want to spend your time.
In an ideal world, when would you work? How much time would you spend playing with your kids? What life dimensions – spiritual growth, friendship, home care – would move to the forefront?
My business is founded on the principle that in order to pursue our ideal work, we must first envision our ideal life – then discern the role work plays in that picture. The Ideal Time Map allows you to do that.
You can create your Ideal Time Map in a few simple steps:
1. Identify your priorities. What matters most? No sense restructuring your time if you don’t know clearly where you want to invest it anyway.
2. Create a 1-week spreadsheet, broken down in hourly increments. In pencil, block out what you’d ideally do in a typical week, taking care to ensure your top priorities are honored.
Then, take an action. You may not be able to make your Ideal Time Map a reality right away, but what current activity could you replace with something more meaningful? What could you let go of? What could you invite?
One of my clients began working with me because she was stressed, spending too many hours in her business, not getting enough sleep – experiencing all the signs of time poverty. While we coached through a variety of topics, she said the Ideal Time Map was one of the most eye-opening she’d ever done – and also the one that prompted significant change. “I learned that I did have enough time,” she shared, “I just wasn’t using it in ways that mattered most.”
Author Sonia Choquette said it brilliantly: “I learned to organize my life around my dream, rather than try to force my dream into my chaotic life.” What would your Ideal Time Map include? What action will you take this week to begin making it a reality?
Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches business owners and leaders to get unstuck and reach meaningful results with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action. Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.