Why we waste time

The other morning, I found myself scrolling on social media for an hour! In fact, I find myself mindlessly scrolling without cause or reason. I actually feel kinda shitty after doing this, and I decided it was time for a change. I was reading Marie Forleo’s book, Everything is Figureoutable, and am inspired to share a few of her thoughts & mine with you.

Time Vampires:

1. Pushing the snooze button

2. Social Media

3. Commuting (traffic, road construction)

4. Errand running (multiple trips, during certain times of day)

5. Meetings

6. Web surfing, shopping online

7. Cell phones:  Talking, Texts, Emails, Notifications

8. Watching TV, Netflix, and obsessive series watching

9. Preparing for meals- honey what’s for dinner?

So why do we waste time?

1. Dopamine Fix:  quick fixes when you get rewards:  someone comments or likes your post, or sends you a text or email message. It’s like sugar on your brain every single time you get the reward of a like; think about that?  You are addicted!

2. The need to be liked:  acknowledgment, praise, seen by others and noticed. This is a good place to check in with your self esteem, and if you’re getting enough social time with your friends.

3. The need to be nice:  obligated to thank people, comment on their comments, and not wanting to come across as ungrateful or not nice.

4. Fear of Missing Out: FOMO!!! 

5. Comparison:  looking at how others are doing in comparison to yourself, measuring yourself against others.

Let’s begin with first understanding where you Time Vampires exist before slapping on a new idea or “fix it”.  I’m a big believer in first seeing and assessing because you begin to uncover your unique strategy that supports you best.

Take the 7 Day Challenge

(be sure to tag @liveyouryes and post pics & inspirations)!

At the end of 7 days, it’s time to notice your biggest time vampires without judgment!  Do you notice activities that do not support your health? Any trends emerge? Activities that do not support your purpose, goals, and values? Are there certain activities you do to numb yourself?  And – ultimately; what are you willing to do in place of old activities? Did you know it takes tenacity & repetition to replace bad/old activities with new one? In two weeks, you will see a significant difference.  In 30 days- your brian will begin craving the new behavior. And in 60+ days; a habit has been created. 

List your weekly activities: (walking, laundry, cleaning, yoga, 3 home cooked dinners, watching TV, reading news, happy hour with friends); 

Now, go back and highlight or circle your non-negotiable activities:

What are you a YES for friend?

List all the weekly activities that are bringing you closer to those goals in the spaces below:

Friendly Reminder – anything you haven’t underlined or highlighted in the weekly activities is a negotiable task.  When your calendar becomes full, what do you do with your negotiables tasks? Delegate responsibilities? Re-prioritize? Reevaluate? Ignore?  What story do you tell yourself?

6 TIPS TO INCREASE FOCUS

1. Pick ONE goal (avoid multi-tasking here friends)

2. Designate deadlines and note them in your calendar

3. Schedule all the activities within each goal with a start and end time. 

4. Use a timer on your phone to stay on schedule.  This is a great way to avoid distractions (change the laundry, talk to people in the office who pop in, etc)

5. Reward your kids for not interrupting you while your timer is set. Place a sign on your door; shut it

PLAN TO PLAN

1. Pick 1 day to plan (I like Sunday)

2. Grocery shopping and meal prepping (think about making extra portions to freeze, shop in the bulk isle, lay out a few key recipes that help create other meals easily.

3. Lay out your social media strategy

4. Structure your goals & activities into your calendar

5. Iron clothes, and get laundry done

6. Organize your desk, car, fridge, snacks

7. Enroll your family on your plan, and buy in

 SLEEP TO THE RESCUE

Your productivity will soar when you rise and fall with the sun.  Your circadian rhythm is designed to do this. When you stay up once the sun sets, you are sending a mixed message to your brain.  The lights in your home (human made), TV, and phone use are signaling your brain to release hormones (like cortisol, and dopamine) that keep you awake and feeling good. However, it is also releasing melatonin albeit unsuccessfully.  Melatonin is the hormone that supports your falling asleep. Additionally, if you eat a heavy meal right before bedtime, your body has a hard time falling asleep. You want to give your body a minimum of 2 hours before bedtime.  

LEAVE A COMMENT WITH THREE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW & WHERE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY IS SOARING OR SLOWING.