Lack of time is a strong signal that we’re doing too many things in our lives that aren’t fulfilling. In other words, it’s the signal that it’s time to change certain things to regain serenity and joie de vivre in our daily lives. But how can we do this? Here are 5 powerfultips for getting back to what’s most important.

1 – Lack of time is a strong signal

There’s no such thing as too little time. In fact, we all receive 24 hours every day. It’s a gift that’s given to us without compensation, but which can be taken away from us at any time without notice.

In other words, our time is our most precious asset.

Unfortunately, we all too often forget this. And when we feel we’re running out of time, it’s time to remind ourselves just how precious our time is.

No more, no less.

And yet, when we’re short of time, our first reflex is to seek advice on how to organize and optimize our time, with the aim of getting as much done as possible in as little time as possible.

The problem is that this often leads to even more stress.

That’s why I’m inviting you to transform the way you look at the thought that’s stressing you out: “I’m running out of time.”

In fact, I suggest you get back to what’s most important. In other words, stop running as fast as you can to get as many things done as possible, and refocus on the things that really matter to you, the things that contribute to your happiness and well-being.

Because why else do we receive the precious gift of time if not to be happy in life?

After all, you’re not here to DO, you’re here to BE.

“If you don’t have time to do everything, then do the most important thing.

2 – Take stock of what you’re doing

When you’re short of time, it’s time to take stock of what you’re doing with your time and your life.

Where does our time go to make us feel so desperately short of it?

To do this, I invite you to list ALL the things you’ve done in the last 7 days.

Take your time. There’s no rush.

List everything. Even shower time, meal preparation…

Write it all down on a sheet of paper.

Next, I’d like you to rate all the activities you’ve just listed. Out of 5. 5 being “I love this activity”. 1 being “I don’t like this activity at all”.

3 – Lack of time: delete, delegate, transform what you don’t like to do

Now, on another sheet of paper, list all the activities for which the score is less than 4.

These are all the activities you don’t like doing that make you feel you don’t have enough time to be happy in your life.

In fact, these activities stress you out or bore you, and you feel like you’re wasting your time doing them.

That’s why I invite you to find solutions, for each of these activities, to eliminate, delegate or transform them.

It’s not possible to eliminate or delegate all the activities you don’t like to do.

Let’s say you don’t like cleaning. You can’t cut out that activity, because that would be terrible. (laughs) What’s more, you might not be able to delegate it, because it’s just not financially feasible.

So, the last possible solution is to transform this activity you don’t like into a pleasurable moment.

To do this, you can focus on why you do the activity: why it’s important for you to do it. Cleaning, for example, allows you to live in a pleasant place and is a way of taking care of yourself.

What’s more, you can do it differently. You can clean the house while playing your favorite music.

Finally, you can plan a reward for yourself. For example: if I clean today, afterwards I’ll go and buy my favourite pastry.

In this way, the activity you didn’t like can now easily be rated 4/5.

Take all the time you need to do this exercise. But do it, because it will really change your life.

4 – Lack of time: focus on the most important things

Finally, on another sheet of paper, list all the activities that scored 4 and 5.

These activities can also lead to the feeling that we’re running out of time.

Because, quite often, we don’t do enough of these activities, or we do them, but without really enjoying them.

Example: the evening movie.

In fact, when we write down our activities over the last 7 days, we say to ourselves “I like to watch a film in the evening” and we give it a mark of 4 or 5, but in reality, when we watch our film in the evening, do we savor this moment as a 4 or 5?

No.

We’ll be doing other things at the same time, or we’ll be thinking about other things in front of the film, things that are stressing us out. We’ll think about tomorrow and all the things we won’t have time to do.

That’s why, even the moments when we should really be savoring the passing of time, we don’t do it.

In fact, there’s never a break in our lives; we’re always on the alert.

So what can we do to stop believing we’re running out of time?

I wholeheartedly invite you to live consciously those activities rated 4 and 5, and to do them as often as possible.

Because getting back to what’s most important is knowing how to enjoy the moments you love.

5 – Take stock every week

The problem with lack of time is that it always comes back.

Because bad habits die hard, and it’s hard to concentrate on what’s most important when everyone around you is running around.

That’s why I wholeheartedly invite you to take stock every week: what have you done in the last 7 days? What did you like and dislike? Why or why not? How are you feeling? Are you satisfied with your week? How can you make the next week more beautiful and sweeter?

Because how you use your time is important. So important!

Because it’s what determines the level of happiness and well-being in your life.

So don’t leave anything to chance, take matters into your own hands.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How to manage your time: 7 useful tips
Discover How can I get organized? 4 lists to make your life clearer

I recommend this inspiring book:

168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam.

Laura Vanderkam challenges the perception of a lack of time by examining how we allocate our 168 weekly hours. The book provides insights and practical advice to help us re-evaluate our priorities, make intentional choices and maximize the time available for what really matters, dispelling the myth of perpetual busyness and highlighting the potential for a more balanced and fulfilling life.

I liked Lauras’s writing style and found the book well worth reading.
It makes you think about how to manage your time.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself