From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
HOW TO HAVE MORE TIME, MORE ENERGY AND VITALITY AND MORE EXCITEMENT IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS AT HOME AND WORK.
It seems to me that most people in our society want more time, energy and vitality and excitement in their relationships. These are all aspects of wellness.
Time and the lack of it seems to be a great excuse for not doing wellness related activities like spending time with the family, spending time on yourself or exercise. But how is is that some people seem to have more time than others or they accomplish more in the same time? What's the difference that makes the difference?
The truth is that we all have the same amount of time. That's obvious. How do we handle the time? That's what makes the difference. There are zillions of time management experts around the world who teach us how to be more efficient; how to prioritize; how to plan; how to delegate; how to sort and how to say no. And these strategies are important.
The single most important factor I think many of them miss is ..... what you say to yourself about time or how you program yourself. New research in the area of psychoneuroimmunology shows that what we say to ourselves about time often controls how effectively we use time.
Are you suffering from 'hurry disease'? Are you always saying things to yourself like..."I'm running out of time' or "I don't have enough time" or "How will I ever fit this in', "I can't get all this done in that time"? If you do, then it's on the cards that you are pumping yourself full of adrenalin and other stress chemicals that will eat away at you and somewhere down the track contribute to some stress related disease.
If "I'm running out of time" is you, then there is new evidence that suggests you may in fact be making your body age more quickly. Just by what you say to yourself. Becoming aware of your self talk is one of your most powerful wellness weapons and time management tips.
The old adage 'more haste, less speed' is true. If you tell yourself that you have plenty of time or you will fit everything in - as long as you have made a realistic list of things to do - then you have a much greater chance of achieving your target. Even if you don't reach your target, at least your body won't be pumped full of adrenalin and other stress chemicals. So you'll be 'weller'! You may not be aware of it but you are in better chemical shape than someone who stressed themselves by constantly repeating comments about the lack of time.
Listen to what you say to yourself and to what words come out of your mouth. Once you become aware of how you are programming yourself you may choose to change it.
When people ask you "how are you?", what do you answer? "Rushed? Exhausted? Stretched? Stressed?" All of these comments are sending messages to your subconscious mind programming you to be the way you say you are. And they are causing stress chemicals to be released. And stopping your effective use of time.
Of course, some people have more energy than others and can achieve more in the same time. How do they have more energy? Is it genetic? NO! high energy people usually make time to exercise - even if they have to get out of bed half and hour earlier. They know that when they are fit they need about one and a half hours less sleep per day. They have more energy and vitality and less stress. So they can do more in less time and they actually have more time than people who don't exercise. But more of that another week.
In a nutshell, two of the most powerful strategies for using time more efficiently are 1. to watch and listen to what you say to yourself and to others about time. Change what you say and notice the difference! And 2. exercise on a regular basis. Or try making lists; and planning your day in the first few minutes after you wake up; make a committment to yourself and allocate time for yourself somewhere during the day. Take time to listen to your body and hear what it needs.
As Michael Gerber wrote in his book "The E Myth", too many people are so busy working in their businesses, they don't take time to work ON their businesses. And often without this crucial planning, their businesses fail. The same applies to your life. If you are so busy rushing around IN your life, coping with crises etc, and you never take time to work ON your life, the chances are you're not having much of a life. Are you making a life or making a living? You do have a choice!
