I hear this from so many gardeners-- time is their biggest struggle! And I get it. I've been there! I'm a recovering workaholic!
I used to think that there was no use planning my time because there was so many things that were not in my control. So who was I kidding-- thinking I could plan my time and keep that schedule?
So I would try-- and I would prove myself right! I’d point to the evidence of my failure (again) as PROOF! My time was simply NOT in my control.
"Life presents an endless series of interruptions and distractions…
When your day is interrupted or your progress stalls, it's easy for your mindset to collapse as well. You may feel guilty for not following through on what you intended to do. But you are not guilty, you are human.” ~James Clear, Atomic Habits~
I love that line—“You are not guilty, you are human.”
Learning the skills
For a number of years, I've been using Charlotte Smith’s time management system, working to learn this very necessary skill! I learned— that if I think I can or I think I can’t, I’m right! Henry Ford said that. My mindset was predetermining my outcomes. 🤯
I've been working at making time management a habit-- creating healthy patterns in my life. I’ve engaged in the process of changing my mind! And mapping my time—with a Sunday Start Strong habit, where I plan my week. What gets scheduled, gets done!
And I have to remind myself that perfection is not the goal, because like James Clear says... We're human. Life happens. Change is inevitable.
Buffer time
One thing that has helped me so much is learning to build in "buffer time" and margins into my days and week-- not to over schedule myself. This is time that allows for our human nature and life.
I tend to be overly enthusiastic and optimistic, often misjudging what I can actually get done in a day. When I couldn’t get it all done and check all the boxes, feelings of failure would take a hold of me and I’d say terrible things to myself-- that negative self-talk we tend to engage in. Can you relate?
I’ve learned to actually schedule in extra time each day and each week for those inevitable interruptions, loose ends, and distractions. It's a little thing but it makes a huge difference.
Be kind to yourself, not just others! Everyone gets off track sometimes. But be proactive, allow space for it. Then, you don't have to feel bad about it. And get back on track when you get distracted.
Another quote from James-- "Top performers get back on track faster than most. This is the skill to develop. You will be interrupted, but you can choose to keep it brief." 🙌🏻 Here's to getting things done!
"Ohhhh... Look! There’s another flock of geese!" 😁
Your Garden (and Time-Management) Coach,
Theresa
PS. When you first start managing your time your lists will seem too long to even schedule it all in. Prioritize the list and get the most important things done! ✅ The list WILL get shorter. Stick with it! Soon you'll be able to throw that 'list' away-- cuz it WILL all fit into your schedule! 🙌🏻