Have you ever felt like you just don't have enough time in the day? It can feel like there are so many things to do and never enough hours, right? Well, what if I told you that you could actually have a 36-hour day? It might sound impossible, but maybe our ideas about time are all wrong. What if time isn't fixed, and we can actually create more of it for the things we really want? You might think that to get more time, you'd have to give up other things. But what if you could live a "yes and" life, where you have a successful career and great relationships and health?
Most of us think that time is like a container, with only so much space. We think our days are packed with things we have to do, leaving no room for anything new. We think, "I have to work, do chores, take care of my family, and there's no time for anything else!". It's like we believe if we have "X" tasks and they take "Y" time, then that's all there is. But what if time isn't a container, and is more flexible than we think?
There's something called Parkinson's Law, which is really interesting. It says that work will grow to fill the time we give it. So, if you have a month to do something, it'll likely take you a month!. Even if it could be done faster, we stretch our work to fit the time we have. This often leads to procrastination, or putting tasks off.
But Parkinson's Law also works the other way! If you give yourself less time, you become more efficient and get it done faster. It's like a superpower! Mahatma Gandhi meant something similar when he said, "I have so much to do today, I must meditate for two hours instead of one". It sounds odd, but sometimes slowing down helps us do more by focusing on ourselves.
When you prioritize important things, like your personal growth, you become more efficient in other areas of life. I discovered this idea from a podcast I listened to by David Bayer (who I love!) and he shares his struggle with addiction. He started attending meetings and therapy, which took a lot of time. At first, he thought there was no way he could manage his business and recovery. But after making recovery his number one priority, his business became more efficient! He also realized some things he thought he had to do weren't all that important.
It’s like thinking you can only have a successful career or a happy life with good relationships and health. That’s an "either/or" way of thinking. We can actually have both! That's the idea of a "yes and" life. We don't have to give up our health or relationships to be successful. Like Gandhi, when we ground ourselves, we become more efficient.
Our beliefs and what we decide is true can really impact our thoughts. If you decide you don't have enough time, you'll have trouble finding efficient ways to get things done. It's like your brain starts looking for proof that the belief is true. Your brain is making many decisions unconsciously every day, and those are based on your beliefs. If you think you'll never have enough time, you might hit the snooze button or go on social media, instead of doing what's important. But, we can change these beliefs using methods to rewire our brains.
Here's the exciting part: You don't have to take things out of your day to add new things. You can actually insert new activities, and your life will reorganize to make space! It's like adding a new ingredient to a meal, which changes the whole thing for the better. When we add a new activity, our brains find ways to make everything more efficient. So, if you want to exercise, spend more time with family, or work on a personal project, you can add it! Your life will adjust so that you have time for everything. This is based on how our brains work!
When you add new things, it creates a ripple effect. Your thinking changes, which changes your feelings, and then your actions. You might get new ideas that help you make more money and do less work. You might find people who can help you. Your whole experience of your business or life can change. What you have right now is just one possibility.
Our thoughts and feelings create an energy or "vibration" that can affect others. It's like sending out a radio signal. If you are thinking positive thoughts, you might meet helpful people. If you are having fearful thoughts, you might have negative experiences. So, be aware of the energy you are putting out.
It’s important to know that timing is more important than time! It's more about when things happen than how much time you spend. If you are making decisions based on empowered beliefs, you'll be in the right place at the right time. So, don't focus on how much time you have, but on making good decisions and taking action.
So, how do we actually create more time? Here are some ideas:
Think about your daily activities and see if you can be more efficient.
Put yourself first! Do the things you should be doing, even if you think you don't have time.
If you want to sleep better, rest more, or spend time with friends, make it a priority, and your week will adjust.
Stop worrying about how much time you have. Decide how you want your life to be and start living it.
It's time to experiment! Pick one thing you really want to do and do it today! It doesn’t have to be meditating for two hours. Maybe go for a walk in the afternoon, or spend a half hour on a hobby. You will be amazed at how everything will reorganize so that you can do the things you love! The universe wants us to grow and be happy. You don't have to give up things to be successful. You can create your own 36-hour day!
Remember, time isn't fixed, and our minds are flexible. Parkinson's Law shows that work expands to fill the time we have. But, we can use this to our advantage. Our beliefs shape our reality, and we can change them. By adding new things, we reorganize our lives to do more of what we love. We can live a “yes and” life where we can have it all. You can create more time and live a more fulfilling life by changing your perspective and making conscious decisions. So go out there and make it happen!
Stay Aware and Stay Rooted in Joy
