Making Time

Do you find that you get to the end of the day with half the things you had planned to do not done?

I do.

Once upon a time I used to complain all the time that I had no time for writing, exercise and lots of other things. And then I paused to reflect, after reading a book on writing, what it was I was not doing. In that book the author said it is simply a habit you have to practise everyday (writing that is or anything else you do not think you have time for, like reading etc.) until it is so ingrained you will naturally do it.

The exercise suggested by the author was to write five minutes every day for a month. Apparently once you do something everyday for a month it becomes part of your daily routine. At the end of the month the author suggested to increase to ten minutes for another month and so on, until one day you were writing for one or two hours.

It sounds too difficult? I can hear you come up with a hundred excuses already. Trust me it is not. There are many things we do during the day that simply waste time and if we stopped doing them we could/would be more productive.

This does not only apply to writing, you can apply it to anything you want to do but don't think you have time for (except perhaps parachuting because you need a bit more than five minutes everyday).

Take physical exercise. How many times have you heard someone say I cannot exercise because I do not have time. In reality it is simply a matter of being more organised and setting realistic goals. Don't aim to do an hour session everyday. Start with five minutes everyday and increase. Do things you enjoy doing (like walking, cycling or swimming). Exercise with someone else. Nothing better than going for a walk/run with family or friends to share the experience.

So, decide what it is you want more time for and start today. All you need is five minutes during the day to get started.

What are you waiting for?

Start building today! :)