With so much stimuli in the world between technology and the entertainment and news in the media, sensory overload is almost inescapable, and most people feel as though they are rushed and do not feel as though they are able to make time for things that they really want.
It is essential to shift focus from, “I don’t have time”, or ‘I am too busy”, to instead think about what you make time for and how you manage to fit it in your hectic schedule. A friend who previously worked on Wall Street said to me the other day when I complained about being too busy: “Everyone is busy. Everyone makes time for what they want.” People are often afraid of saying ‘no’ to what they don’t want, which keeps them stuck in the same place.
People often frame things by thinking about how they want to do something, and how they are prevented by a lack of time, which is a common illusion. Yes, there is limited time in a day, but it is important to define what you want to make time for, and those things which you are willing to give up in exchange (why is binge watching shows for days on Netflix socially acceptable?). It is crucial to think about things you do which will push you towards your goals, and those that won’t. Eliminating things which don’t serve your purpose and making the most out of time in between (maybe making connections with others on the train during your commute) are crucial, and hugely beneficial.
Instead of tiring ourselves by resting only when we feel exhausted, it is good to break from work every 50 minutes to take some kind of rest, or even a short break with some stretching or exercise like a walk. Not only does this revive our bodies, but it resets the brain so that we may move forward more productively. Meditation is a good method to clear the mind and create white space in which the brain can simply be without having to think about so much. Daily meditation, yoga, other form of exercises, and drinking lots of water and eating healthy foods also help to keep us on our game.
Rather than thinking about finding a balance between ‘work’ and ‘life’, it helps to think of work as a part of life, and to designate time when you are not working to other activities in your life, such as self-care, health and well being, and other activities you may pursue. There are 168 hours in a week, and if you work 50 like most people, this leaves 62 hours for whatever you chose to pursue (which is actually a lot of time!) Shifting from a mentality of having no time to one which appreciates the time that there is allows us to move forward with increased satisfaction and potential.