Time Managing Through Meaning Making
Two things we’re always pushing for: productivity and peace. Those are concepts that don’t seem to puzzle together. The desire to accomplish enough, daily or in a lifetime, can breed feelings of anxiety, creating urgency or paralysis. Curiosity could ask if “the race against time” is feeling a little more looming because we now have technology to accomplish so many things in a day. Everything happening at a much faster pace, may face us with a louder existential grapple with time. Not only might we be overwhelmed to keep up because it’s technically possible to send an email while at a personal doctor’s appointment, the accessibility of productivity may even pressure us to do more than makes sense for us individually.
I am only human. You are only human. We are only human. Which means we each have a unique capacity and skillset to pursue, produce, and perform. We can’t do it all–balance and boundaries are in order. So, how do we bring more joy and peace in what we have to do and how do we prioritize so that we feel fulfilled by our involvements and contributions to ourselves, to others, the world at the end of a day, a week, or a lifetime.
Goals are more obtainable when they mean something to you. It also keeps more peace rather than pressure in productivity. Here are a few approaches to help you find more meaning in nonnegotiable tasks and be intentional about what else you are investing your time in:
Create a list of your values and rank them.
Keep a list of options for personal ideas, projects, goals, hobbies that you would like to pursue. Rank them by what feels most meaningful to you. If this is hard in real time, it may be helpful to ask, “What would I regret not pursuing before I die?”
Take an inventory of all that you are involved in. Ask yourself what each involvement means to you. This can help you build peace in your participation or reevaluate if it’s where you want to be investing time.
When you are asked to participate in something (ex. a work task, or joining a club), take a values and meaning inventory. See if the activity aligns with your personal values and feels meaningful before you say yes.
When you are feeling negative toward a nonnegotiable task (ex. figuring out a dinner plan for your children because you are tired) ask “What do I do this for?” and reflect on a few values it connects to.
Create a personal purpose statement: “I walk this Earth because I matter. I get to experience ______________________and I contribute___________________.”
Find the May Episode 3 Therapist Coffee Hour resources below!
Life Inventory
Dare to Lead Values
Know Your Vulnerability Factors
Building a Life Worth Living