How would you like to have more time? Of course we all want more time. There are just two problems: 1. We can't add more hours to the day; 2. Even if we could add more hours, we would just fill them up with the same stress we have now.
What we can do is use our time differently. And I don't mean buy a new schedule planner. Adapted from the work of Stephen Covey and Anthony Robbins, here are some skills for creating more time in your life and some suggestions for what to do with the time.
Distraction. Distractors are ways we use our time that are not urgent and not important. Some might call it recreation. Exercising, playing a sport, taking a walk, reading a book, watching TV or playing solitaire on your computer are all ways of distracting ourselves from the stress in our lives.
And we all need some distraction in our lives. The problem is that many of us spend far too much time in distraction that could be spent on more life-giving activities.
Delusion. No, I'm not talking about seeing little aliens or believing you are Napoleon. Delusions are the activities in our lives that we make urgent, but really aren't important. Many people get hooked on the thrill of urgency and then run around doing lots of unimportant things.
Demands. Now we are looking at the things that are both urgent and important. An important deadline, the car breaking down, a child sick at school - all are urgent and important.
The time-draining kind of demands that nag at most of us are usually brought on by that old time enemy called procrastination. The next time you find yourself tempted to procrastinate, here's what you do: just put it off. That's right, just say to yourself, I'll procrastinate later, right now I'll get it done.
Destiny. These are the things that may not be urgent but are tremendously important: spending time with family and friends, taking time to relax, building and growing important relationships, planning for the future. These are the things that shape our destiny.
Consider how much time you spend on distractions, delusions and demands. How might your life be different if you spent that time on things that shape your destiny?
Here's one simple yet powerful suggestion I recently heard. Think of it this way: In a child's mind, what is the most important thing they do in a day? Play. In a child's mind, who are the most important people in life? Mom and Dad.
So when we as parents (the most important people in their lives) play with them (the most important activity in their lives), children know that they are important and loved. Not a bad way to spend your time.
For more tips and tools for thriving during the teenage years, visit parenting coach Jeff Herring's parentingyourteenager.com
Alexis limo rentals ..Not many things are more upsetting than discovering that your... Read More
I've often thought that in 6 million years, archaeologists will... Read More
"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine,... Read More
Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More
As a mom of 4 who's youngest child is about... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More
It's among the top criticism wives have of their husbands:... Read More
Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made.... Read More
Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More
The question I have for you drives right to the... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
As part of the whole-language (or "balanced") reading-instruction philosophy, many... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
Are you being smart about water conservation? Do you consider... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when... Read More
If you had to spend 4 or 5 hours in... Read More
Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
Are men to blame for the divorce problem in this... Read More
car service from Midway Alsip ..To protect children's self-esteem or deflect complaints by parents, many... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More
I have a bit of a different response than most... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
The distressed adolescent often has feelings of abandonment, emotional detachment,... Read More
Parents, when you help your children learn to read, you... Read More
I am a single mother of a 17 year old... Read More
'And all because of a damned cat! It's only a... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
Self-reliance and potential are two very important values that I'd... Read More
How should one look upon Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)... Read More
Julia Roberts recently gave birth to twins: Hazel and Phinnaeus.... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
How well do you really know your child?There is so... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
What are the easiest things citizens can do to prevent... Read More
Everyone needs friends, and, as parents, you and I both... Read More
"The greatest gift I ever had Came from God, and... Read More
It's back to school time again. Does the thought of... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
Every children in the world whishes to have toys and... Read More
How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More
You may think once your child has gone off to... Read More
Parenting |