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I’ve been struggling quite a bit with time management since mid-February and just understood it a little better. Although it seems that I am not the only one!

Many people have told me recently that they feel quite tired and burnt out, very busy but not accomplishing much. I call it “doing the hamster thing.” You know what they do: They run around on those little wheels in their cages, going nowhere fast. And that is not a very nice feeling. Believe me I know!

I really believe that to better manage your time, you have to decide what is important to you and what is not. If you don’t decide, you can be sure that other people will decide for you.

If something is important to you, you will be make time for it. She used to say things like, “I don’t have enough time to exercise because I’m home from work too late.” One day I realized that this is absolute nonsense. Obviously, he was making work a higher priority than having a fit and healthy body. It’s as simple as that. Hmm…

So this month I want you to take some time to focus on yourself. I can hear all the busy moms saying things like “but my kids need me.” Listen, it’s not selfish, it just makes you a better person. I’m also very impulsive and have hundreds of things on the go, so I know what it’s like. But you can’t give what you don’t have.

There are seven areas in everyone’s life: spiritual, work, financial, family, friends, health/physical, and personal. We constantly give and give and because we all lead such busy lives, it’s very easy for that last section to slip by. Hopefully that will change soon J

This year I decided that because my personal development is extremely important to me, I need to start scheduling time just for myself. What I have been doing is scheduling two nights every month to focus on myself. If I find interesting worksheets, quizzes or e-books on the Internet, I print them out and make or read them in this free time too. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I read a book and at that moment I feel lazy to go get paper and do the exercises. Now I write them down and do all these exercises during my self-care time.

You can enjoy your time by pampering yourself with a lovely bubble bath, painting your toenails or reading your favorite book. Or pick up a favorite magazine and read it over coffee and cake in a quiet cafe. Or book yourself into a workshop. I do regular talks and workshops and although I love it, I enjoy hosting from time to time. So every year, I attend at least two workshops.

For all the unstructured people out there, you’re probably thinking, “where’s the spontaneity?” I’m going to do a Dr. Phil and ask you this, “how has spontaneity been for you?” I also tried spontaneity and never seemed to get to the things that were important to me!

I have really found this self-care time very helpful and I know you will too. You’ll be able to really think about what works for you and what doesn’t. I suggest you buy a nice notebook and write it all down. There is something very special about putting things in writing instead of having it all spin around in your head.

My sister calls her personal time “Shelley time.” She repeats three times: It is not a sin to have (insert her own name here) _____________ time. Very well!

So do the exercise, but more importantly, take some action. You are so worth it!

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