It's crazy isn't it; we spend our days locked in an office working to live. By the time we stop by and pick up the kids after work, it's nearing 5:30 as we arrive home. Then it's a mad dash to find something to eat before rushing off to soccer practice with little Connor. Before we know it the whole week has passed by and everything you HAD to do is left for the weekend. Now, what happens to what you WANTED to do?
This is the reality for most of us.
We spend all year running around, but as we near summer it seems even worse. September rolls around and into October and your screaming "what summer?". You find yourself looking out your office window wondering how everyone else gets to enjoy the nice weather and you're stuck inside wallowing in the mountain of paperwork Susan just dropped off on your desk. The reality is, your whole life feels like a constant pull and this summer you want to change that.
Well, now you can. It's time to stop doing what you have to do and start doing what you want to do. No longer sit back and say someday I'll be able to take Fridays off through the summer to go boating and enjoy a nice lunch with my husband. Instead, start doing it tomorrow.
If you want to start doing what you want to do, then here's where you need to start.
PLAN TO SAY NO.
First and foremost, it's time you bought yourself a planner. If you're not setting aside time to do the things you want, then you'll constantly be packing in the things you don't want. Planning is only the beginning; you also need to say no. Now that you've scheduled Saturday morning to take a walk through the new art gallery in town - do it. It's now a priority. When Doris calls up and asks to have coffee and discuss some charity issues, tell her you're already scheduled. It's time you stopped putting off your needs to fulfill your time with the unwanted. If you're one of those people who have a hard time saying no, buy tickets to the art gallery in advanced - this way you won't want to waste the money you already have invested into it.
MAKE WORK FLEXIBLE.
Whether you hate your job or not, the reality is most of us spend nine to five living at them. It's time you sat down and had a talk with your boss. Have you ever asked about taking Fridays off throughout the summer, or maybe just Friday afternoons? See if there is a way you can work later throughout the week so that Fridays off is an option. Even if it's every other Friday, you'll finally be able to soak up the sun spending some time with the family or solo catching up on the book a friend recommended over a year ago. If you own your own business, lucky you! See if you can hire a summer student to keep the doors open on Fridays or schedule your summer hours to a schedule that works for you.
PARTNER UP WITH PARENTS
Having a family life is fun, but definitely exhausting. Conner has soccer Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. While, little Sarah has gymnastics Mondays and Wednesdays. Looks like your schedules already packed and you haven't even started thinking about swimming lessons. It seems as though you have no other option than to spend every night escorting the kids here and there. But there is. It's time you sat down with a few of the parents on the team and schedule to take turns driving the kids. I'm sure when they discover they'll have a night to themselves to enjoy a BBQ and wine, they'll have no problem picking your kid up on opposite weeks. When you find a few parents to split the driving - sit down and make a schedule so everyone knows when it will be their turn. Next, enjoy your Wednesday night at home by the pool, while Sarah learns some new tumbles and turns.
Doing what you want isn't easy, let's face it, life is very chaotic. But, time is passing us by. And, while sometimes we don't have a choice in what we are doing that day, we can always manage to get a little creative to throw in a little bit of what we want. Stop putting aside your wants for someday and start living your wants today.
