Here’s why, and 5 ways to shift it
“We all have the same hours in a day.” I am sure you’ve heard this before, but its kind of BS. It’s true that we do have the same number of hours in a day but that blanket statement does not account for the inequalities and privilege’s that effect “available time.” It also does not account for the phase of life you may be in right now or your obligations. So it may be true that we all have the same hours in a day, but the number of hours available for us to choose what we do will vary. Considering that, for those of us living in a democratic nation, the feeling of not having enough time is still most often a limiting belief.
What is a limiting belief?
A limiting belief is an acceptance and confidence that a thought, statement or mindset is absolutely true. This belief has also created blocks in your life and is holding you back in some way. These mindsets are fixed, meaning you are currently inflexible in that particular point of view. Some examples include:
“I am too old for that.”
“I am not good with money.”
“I am not smart enough.”
“It’s too late for me to do that now.”
These states of mind restrict you from moving forward in certain areas of your life and typically can be rooted from internal sources such as fear or sense of lack as well as from external sources like family, culture or society. Considering the option that the belief may be false, is the first step making that shift away from the limits and opening opportunities for growth.
How does lack of time show up as a limiting belief?
A lack of available time is a real restriction in our lives. However; its also a limiting belief. A lack of time can be perceived when we fill up all of our available time with activities or actions mindlessly and without purpose. We feel busy, but there is no movement towards any particular goal or direction. We may believe we are too late in the game to get started, perhaps because of our age or based on where others are in comparison. We believe there will be time later, sometimes getting stuck in the idea that time will magically be more available at some future point; so we wait. Or we get stuck in an all or nothing trap; where we do not have enough time for the full vision of what we want, so we do nothing at all.
In each one of these situations we are limited by a false belief about time. So how can we change it?
From Lack of time to Creating Space.
1. Define Values and Goals
If it feels like you are in a hamster wheel, always busy and getting nowhere perhaps you need to create a vision and specific direction. To start you will need to figure out what truly matters most to you and define your values. Brain storm what brings you the most happiness and joy. Knowing the direction may be all you need so the actions you take will be intentional and purposeful towards the life you want to live. Creating goals can compliment this direction by setting specific points to work towards.
2. Become a Schedule Master
Once you know what it is you’d rather be doing with your time, schedule it in and stand firm in holding to that schedule. Use a shared family calendar so everyone is on board with the time you’ve committed, block out parts of your work calendar for your breaks or planned days off. Schedule in your work outs, family time, date nights, guitar lessons, whatever it is that you are focusing on, put it in the calendar. Set reminders and alarms as well if it helps.
3. Create Micro Habits
Create small habits to break the all or nothing mindset. You don’t have to run a full marathon to become a runner. Start with the smallest habit you can consistently maintain and work from there. Can you commit to a 10 minute walk every day at lunch or just 10 pushup when you wake up? Can you write just one paragraph of that book you’ve been meaning to get to each day? Can you put just 5% of your pay into savings or investment? Start small and stay consistent and you are making progress.
4. Wake Up Earlier
No one likes this one at first, but I promise its worth it and you will love it later. Getting to bed earlier and waking up earlier is not only excellent for your health, it opens a window of time in the morning to do the things that matters most at the very start of your day. Plus, the extra boost of dopamine you get by committing this time for you, will carry forward through the day. Win, win win.
5. Practice Time Boundaries
No one else is going to do the work to protect your time but you. Turning down offers and invitations that do not serve you and your purpose will create an opening of space for you to schedule something that matters. One phase I love is “I don’t have the capacity for that right now.” Its acceptable to use for a colleague or boss asking for assistance outside of your scope of work, as well as to friends asking a favor or even to attend a social event. You may not have the capacity mentally, energetically or time wise, and its ok to let people know that.
Begin Creating Your Spacious Life Today
Don’t wait for the new year, for next Monday or after you loose the weight or get the better job. Time will continue passing each day and we can control of the way we view it and use it, or we can let it pass mindlessly. choose one way you can shift your time-set and get started.
-Mendara Lynn; ACC ICF Coach, Founder Mindset Academy.
If you are looking to make some major shifts in your mindset and create a more spacious purposeful life, my newest program will have time and spaciousness at the focal point. subscribe to my mailing list below for an early bird offer and be the first to know what registration opens.
Can’t wait and need to get started now? If you want 1:1 Coaching designed to shift your mindset and create more space in your life contact me about my virtual coaching packages.
