By being more rigid and structured in your life, you can actually create more flexibility.
Seems counterproductive but let’s explore this.
This isn’t another one of those ‘how to spend your time wisely’ posts…
But if you don’t protect yourself from useless BS, then you’re limiting your time to level-up your life.
For your own sake, you need to spend as much time as possible with people that encourage you, inspire you, and push you to work harder toward your dreams.
But few people actually do this.
Why?
Maybe you’re afraid of what other people will think of you if you’re NOT keeping within your usual broke habits. In other words, when you’re doing things that no one has ever seen you do before, it’s odd and sometimes provokes fear in others.
But that’s their problem, not yours.
If you don’t have a PURPOSE to which you’re taking daily action or a guiding principle that is moving you closer to your goals or dreams, then all the productivity, goal setting, and efficiency practices are useless.
You’re simply floating through life aimlessly.
And if you think that your wife doesn’t notice, THINK AGAIN!
Because when you’re structuring your day with your purpose as the main focus, you will have more passion for what you’re doing…
And your wife will notice that!
You may have to do some soul-searching to figure this out…but the sooner you start, the sooner a solution will present itself.
Ask yourself: “What will make me jump out of bed every morning?”
You may have a regimented routine (like a job), but what you do before, after, and around your regimented routine is what is going to drive you to fulfill your purpose.
Spend your time doing things that you’re passionate about and I promise you that your purpose will present itself on a silver platter to you – assuming you don’t know your purpose. But if you don’t, do what you’re passionate about and your purpose will arise.
All of the nooks and crannies of time can be filled in with things that help you level-up.
Examples include:
- Listening to podcasts while driving
- Get up an hour early to read a blog post or book
- Read a book while your kids are at school or practice
- Use your lunchtime to study something new
- Watch a training YouTube video from your phone while waiting for the subway
- Shoot a quick 2-3 minute video while you’re out walking, on your lunch break, or driving
When you do things like this, it alleviates stress, greatly reduces overwhelm and helps to keep you purposeful.
Additionally, you need to figure out when you are at your best to accomplish your goals…what time of day?
Maybe you’re a night owl…Maybe you’re a morning person.
It’s probably pretty obvious.
What chunks of time are you the most efficient?
**Exploit your own efficiency to maximize your purpose.**
Map it out…it takes less than 10 minutes a week…but that way you can check things off your list.
To get you motivated and in the right mindset for the day,
- Read something that inspires you
- Listen to a podcast
- Watch a training video from a leader in your industry
- Don’t allow others to interrupt you
Doing this starts your mind off on the right path every day. Plus, you will reduce overwhelm by having a regimented routine.
Set aside a scheduled time to work on yourself.
Inform your wife that you’re working for your future, as a couple, as much as you are for your own future.
She will quickly learn to respect you for holding true to your word.
Philip Douthett