Is your schedule limiting or liberating?

I feel more energized and focused when I time block everything in my schedule. 

I have a love/hate relationship with my schedule. I’m a bit of a rebel and don’t want to be told what to do. For a while, I resisted the time blocking on my schedule because I wanted the flexibility around all that was already scheduled. 

I also thought it was going to be limiting, that I’d feel bad moving the times around when I don’t get everything done like I thought I would. 

Then a really good coach of mine asked me to just try it for a week to see how I felt. They inspired me by asking me to imagine what it would be like if I didn’t have to try and remember everything.

So I put everything in my calendar—the work stuff, the rituals, the fun time, the family time. 

And I loved it 90% of the time. I admit that when that bedtime alarm comes around and I’m in the middle of my next big idea it’s a bit frustrating. Sometimes I just keep going and make a conscious choice to adjust my schedule the next day. That’s the key, staying flexible amongst the routine. 

Do some days not go as planned? Yes, of course. But not as many as I thought. 

And here’s the bonus part: our family now uses alarms to keep on track for our family time too. It’s been a game-changer. When our son knows that it’s time to stop playing Xbox with his friends, a little eight-year-old voice says “I have to go, I want to spend some time with my parents before bedtime. ”

No fight. 

No big fuss.

Ease. 

Of course, our family routines will change as we all grow and evolve. And some days tend to blend into the next as we all work and learn from home during the pandemic. 

But the cool thing now is we’re starting to create new rituals that bring us joy on the weekends. We just picked the time of day on Saturdays and Sundays that we’ll all go for a walk together. 

What matters most is you map out your calendar for what matters most, what you need and want to happen, at work and at home. 

If you aren’t sure what those are, start by reflecting on the last week: 

• What were the three highlights?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• What do you learn about your family?
• Did you get the focus time you needed to work on your business?
• Did you get the quality time you needed to be with your family?
• Did you get the quiet time you needed with no demands on you?
• Did you do your best?

If you still need a little inspiration, here is one of my favourite quotes from Chris Hadfield.

Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you and start moving your life in that direction. Every decision you make, from what you eat to what you do with your time tonight, turns you into who you are tomorrow, and the day after that. Look at who you want to be and start sculpting yourself into that person. You may not get exactly where you thought you’d be, but you will be doing things that suit you in a profession you believe in. Don’t let life randomly kick you into the adult you don’t want to become.  Chris Hadfield