No—I did not accidentally post the same article twice. This is part two of the article I posted last week.
In last week’s article, I wrote about the gap between priorities and reality. I talked about there being a difference between having priorities and prioritizing them.
I shared about my story and how I found my system. I also shared how my calendar now reflects the things that I value, and you will know what I value by looking at my planner.
The Aligned Calendar Concept
This is really easy to do. Ask yourself the following:
What matters to me right now?
This is not a SHOULD matter or what matters to EVERYONE ELSE. What matters to YOU?
Is my calendar making room for it?
If something matters, it will be represented in your weekly or monthly view. There should be intentional space for it even if it is only a small chunk of time.
What needs to move, change, or go?
This is where I differ from other productivity systems. I don’t want you to add more in. I want you see what can get rid of to have time for what you value.
Let’s Get Crazy—an Activity for You!
I’m going to challenge you to stop reading this article right now (remember to come back though) and pull out your calendar. Look at the current week or last week.
Find 3 things that take up space. What is consuming your time.
Find 3 things that matter to you. These are the activities and people you value.
Find One disconnect. Where there a mismatch?
What is one small change you could make next week to bring your calendar into closer alignment with what matters?
This is one change. Do not try to start over. This is not a complete overhaul.
I’m glad you rejoined me to finish reading the article. I’m going to talk about making room.
Sometimes alignment doesn’t mean adding something to your calendar. It means taking something off.
If I were to sit down and make a list of all my tasks and appointments for the week, it could start off as very overwhelming. It would include work tasks and home tasks. I think back to when our kids were younger—there were activities. I was also very active in the community and volunteered with several organizations. All these things took my energy. What I needed to do then was look over the list and decide what I could..
say no to?
delegate?
delay?
simplify?
do less often?
decide what isn’t yours to carry?
I didn’t have that skill now. I figured out how to fit it all in. That’s why I became a “time management” coach; I was helping women be more productive. In reality, it’s all an illusion. Sure, the tasks get checked off, and I was seen all over town doing things. But, I was depleted and not always present.
I made a shift in my life and now I made it in how I coach. I don’t want you to arrange your time to fit more in. I want you make decisions about what gets your time (Even if you’re reading this, and I’m never formally hired as your coach—-make decisions about what gets your time).
Right now, I value rest. I make sure there is space for it each weekend. Along with the other things I value—family and doing things together to make memories.
The Perfect Week…
…doesn’t exist. My life is messy. Your life is messy.
things happen
kids get sick
work explodes
parents need help
plans change
So, don’t worry about heaving that beautiful, Instagram-worthy weekly planner. An aligned calendar is not a perfect calendar. It’s a flexible calendar build around what matters most.
Alignment doesn’t mean everything goes according to plan. It means you know what to return to when life knocks your week sideways.
This is why I don’t believe women need to become better at cramming more into their days. I believe we need to become more intentional about what we’re asking our days to hold. Your calendar should support your life, not become another source of pressure.
The Aligned Time Reset
Today I opened the doors to the Aligned Time Reset, an 8 week group program. What I wrote about today is just one piece of the work we do inside The Aligned Time Reset. We don’t start with, “How can I git more in?” We start by getting clean about what matters, what doesn’t, what you’re carrying, and what needs to change.
Then we build practical systems around the life you actually live.
If someone looked at your calendar this week would they assume what you value most?
Would they be right?
Comment on this article to share your answer.
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