3 Tips on How to MAKE TIME for Everything YOU Want To Do
We are all born with different talents, skills, and abilities that are so intrinsically part of our personalities it can be easy to forget that others do not possess the same natural capabilities.
For some, spontaneity is a quality they freely exhibit on a regular basis. For others, spontaneity takes a lot more effort, breaking regular patterns may be a challenging task for them.
Today, however, we are going to talk about a skill that many find extremely difficult to master:
Time Management
I get a lot of questions about how someone can make time, or find the time, to adhere to a regular fitness schedule. And, while managing my time has never been a challenge for me (in fact, I can’t stand to leave a task unfinished, or end the day without doing something I promised myself I would), I can completely understand and sympathize for anyone who struggles with their time management. The world we live is unrelenting in its demand on our physical and mental energy. Everything is so fast paced, it can be easy to fall into behavioral patterns that take an enormous amount of effort to change- even if that change is for the sake of our own health, well-being, or happiness.
Change starts as a seed within your own heart, a genuine desire to make an effort.
It blossoms into commitment and self-discipline.
From these blossoms are born the fruits of your labor, a change now visible to everyone you meet.
Change is hard, for everyone. Starting something new is always difficult. Creating new habits is a challenge; one that takes commitment, discipline, and a genuine desire to change. Nothing and no one can make a change for you. People can offer guidance but, unless you want to change, it will never happen.
When you really commit to the decision to alter your lifestyle, it helps to re-evaluate your priorities. It forces you to go over everything you think is important, and decide whether or not it still holds the same amount of import today as it did 5 years ago. Through this process of self examination, you may find that there are many things you thought mattered, but no longer hold any real significance for you. And, that’s ok- we all need to do a little “spring cleaning” for our priorities. It’s a healthy process.
But, once you decide to make a change, commit and get it done. No more excuses. You either want it or you don't. Be firm with yourself; but, try to see the inevitable learning curve as an exciting new journey. And, please, don’t beat yourself up if it takes some time to figure out how to best implement these new patterns.
But if you stumble, don’t quit. Get back up! When the sun rises the next morning, greet the day with proud determination and a reinvigorated sense of purpose.
Set attainable goals.
Starting something new, like a new fitness regimen, is often an intimidating prospect, and having a "finish line" in mind is a good way to get going. Tell yourself, "I'll do this much _ until Friday and see how I feel." Undoubtedly, you'll feel good and proud of what you have accomplished. So, you're more likely to set another "finish line" for the next Friday, and so on and so on. The more time goes by, the more natural this new fitness routine will feel. You’ll start to get in to a rhythm of behavior that doesn’t feel so foreign anymore. You won’t have to think about it so much, and your body will start to acclimate to your new lifestyle.
Once you’ve reached a point where your new fitness routine feels natural, not so forced, you may find another problem arises. How to balance it all out. How do I fit this new schedule in to my existing one? How do I maintain the momentum of my new goals without sacrificing some other aspect of my life? How does my work/school/homelife schedule impact when and how I continue this upward trajectory?
This is when you go back to your new list of priorities. If your new fitness routine is still high on that list, then find a way to make it work. If your job demands an early morning start, then retrain your body to expect a late afternoon or early evening workout. If your job leaves your mornings open, then retrain your body to expect an early morning workout. (More on how to optimize your AM or PM ballet fitness to come.)
2. Do something while you’re thinking about it.
Don’t fall into the trap of becoming a perpetual listmaker. If something is on your mind, do it right away. Especially if it’s something that matters to you, or something you may not have the energy to do at a later date. If it’s on your mind, do it. Get it done. It’ll be one less thing you have to worry about that day.
Procrastination is an insult to your intellect. If you doubt your own resolve, set a deadline for yourself. If your goal is to lose weight, ( and you took action and downloaded the “Get Ballerina Fit Plan, which i’ll link down below) you really want to fit into your favorite clothes again- then give your favorite items to a close friend or trusted family member. Tell them, “If I don’t reach my goal by my deadline, then throw them out.” And, mean it! With that simple act, you’ve set an achievable goal with a realistic finish line, and added some extra incentive to follow through.
3. Make a list of 3 Rules.
When trying to create new habits, effective time management is the keystone that holds your new behavioral structures in place. It is the means by which you will find the most productivity. One thing I have done recently (and it has helped me enormously), is to make a list of 3 Rules for myself. They are reasonable conditions I keep in mind to help judge whether or not I’m happy with my current achievements, and if I’m still on the right track.
At the end of each day, I do a quick mental check down my list. It helps me stay focused and get ready for the next day. Once I started doing this, I found I became more productive- specifically in the areas of life I personally struggle with (everyone wrestles with at least one area of life that doesn’t come naturally to them).
I encourage you to make your own 3 Rules, each of you will find you all have slightly different guidelines you want to follow. And, that’s exactly what we want! No two people are alike, and no two people have identical goals or ambitions.
To give you an idea of where to get started with this little mental realignment, I’m going to share my own 3 Rules. They may seem simple, but don’t be fooled- they have been a great help!
I have set Bed and Wake Times. This assures that I get enough restorative sleep, and I have the energy to wake up refreshed and ready to go again.
I end each day naming one thing I am happy or proud that I accomplished, and one thing I wish I had done better. This allows me to have a moment to reflect on my priorities, and see if my mindset is still in line with what’s important to me. It also provides me with a boost of self-confidence, and a renewed sense of determination for the next day.
I am responsible for my own actions and reactions. I try to embrace every change, whether it’s good or bad, easy or difficult, happy or sad. Change is an opportunity for growth. I try to meet each change with grace and self-acceptance.
What are your 3 Rules? I’d love to hear! We can all learn from each other, so please leave your 3 Rules in the comments!
‘Get Ballerina Fit’ Free Guide
Lazy Dancers Ballet Workout Plan: Get Ballerina Fit!
This totally free Guide will take you through the strength and skill building techniques you need to gain a ballerina’s confidence and poise, no matter of your schedule, or what age and fitness level you’re at.
All achieved from the privacy of your living room ― no, really!
Of course I’m here for you, so if you have any question or want to start a conversation, feel free to leave a message below or send me an email to hello@lazydancertips.com :)
Love
Alessia