Recognize that your time is limited, which necessitates making tough choices and consciously deciding not to do some things that would matter, rather than trying to fit everything in.
Understand that true time management isn’t about increasing productivity to do everything, but rather about consciously deciding which tasks, opportunities, or obligations you will neglect.
Accept the truth that you can never fit everything into your life, which liberates you to prioritize what truly matters instead of feeling overwhelmed by an impossible to-do list.
Practice saying no not only to things you don’t want to do, but also to things you do want to do, because the world offers more appealing opportunities than you could ever fit into your finite life.
Instead of trying to make time for everything that matters, choose to focus on a select few, accepting that you cannot do everything and letting go of the rest.
Act as if you know you won’t get everything done today; use this perspective to make time now for something you genuinely care about, rather than deferring it until all other tasks are complete.
For effective time management, first choose something that truly matters to you, then schedule at least 20 minutes for it today or this week, accepting that other things will inevitably be neglected.
Stop viewing time as a commodity or resource you possess and control; instead, understand that you are time, experiencing one moment at a time, which shifts focus from managing to living.
Recognize that you are always making choices about how to spend your finite time, and strive to make these decisions consciously rather than unconsciously, to gain real agency.
Consciously impose limits on your time and activities, as this awareness of finitude can lead to a more fulfilled, less stressed life and foster mindful time usage and creativity.
Seek out and embrace the temporal structures and rhythms imposed by community and social connections, as these can provide a fulfilling framework for life that individualistic freedom often lacks.
Understand that while communal rhythms (e.g., school, family schedules) can be frustrating, they offer benefits and a sense of belonging that is preferable to the loneliness of total individualistic freedom.
Create self-imposed ‘Sabbaths’ or periods of intentional rest in your week, where you disengage from work, emails, and scheduled activities to spend quality time with family or in nature.
Clearly delineate and commit to specific days or periods as non-work time, especially on weekends, to reduce friction and anxiety caused by trying to juggle both simultaneously.
Consciously limit the time you allocate to work, understanding that work tends to expand to fill the available time, and conversely, it can contract to fit less time if imposed.
Allocate the first part of your day to the task or activity you care about the most, rather than letting less important tasks (like emails) consume your valuable time.
Recognize that becoming highly efficient at processing emails often leads to receiving more emails, creating an endless cycle that consumes your time without reaching a true ‘inbox zero.’
If you have an infinite supply of incoming tasks (like emails) and you make it your goal to get through all of them, this will inevitably take over your entire work and life.
If you choose to prioritize staying on top of all emails, make that an intentional decision, but do not delude yourself that it won’t consume significant time that could otherwise be spent on other important matters.
Overcome procrastination by recognizing that the desire for perfect control often prevents starting important projects; begin imperfectly to bring them into reality.
Accept that by a deadline, your work will be the best you could do at that moment, rather than striving for an elusive perfection that delays completion and causes stress.
Accept that parenting, especially with small children, is a continuous process of improvisation and ‘winging it,’ rather than striving for an impossible perfection.
When faced with a difficult choice, make a decision rather than endlessly postponing it, as the act of not deciding often causes more stress than dealing with the consequences of a choice.
Understand that even delaying commitment or ‘keeping options open’ is a choice that commits your finite time in a particular way, with its own trade-offs and consequences.
When faced with a significant life choice, ask yourself what option would ’enlarge’ or help you grow as a person, rather than solely focusing on what might make you immediately happy.
Allow yourself to engage in activities that are not instrumentally productive or goal-oriented, as these ‘wasted’ moments can paradoxically lead to a more meaningful and absorbing experience of life.
Shift your attention from constantly striving for future outcomes to fully experiencing the present moment, which can lead to a richer and more meaningful engagement with life.
Stop trying to maximize every experience or achieve specific outcomes, and instead allow yourself to relax and simply be in the moment, which can paradoxically lead to better results and enjoyment.
Cultivate the ability to surrender to the unpredictable nature of life, accepting that you cannot control what comes next, which can lead to greater peace and curiosity.
When plans deviate or unexpected events occur, shift your perspective from worry or judgment to curiosity, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and discover what happens next.
Recognize that the future can never provide the absolute certainty or reassurance you seek, and surrender to the inherent unpredictability of life to reduce anxiety.
Reduce constant exposure to overwhelming global issues (e.g., through news/social media) to protect your presence in daily life, improving the quality of your work, relationships, and parenting.