Learn to Count on Yourself by Taking Back Your Day
When we complicate the way – the process – we make an already difficult journey even more challenging.
Although the way is not easy, it is simple.
In order to keep our lives simple and on track, we must take control of our behaviors and be aware of anything that attempts to set our behavior patterns for us.
Taking control of our daily behaviors in order to achieve a goal that we imagine to be worthy of acquisition AS WELL AS maintain a firm hold of all of our other responsibilities is the very definition of self-reliance.
If the second part isn’t clearly understood and executed, the ability to achieve our other goals as well as the time it will take to get there will be greatly stunted.
This is something I didn’t even know to consider until well into my twenties and still not fully grasped and implemented into my life until the last few years.
Taking care of the little things and becoming more and more self-sufficient in the basics of life is crucial for everything else to fall into place.
If your house is in shambles, you never have food ready, nothing is clean, you’re always running late, you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re not getting enough exercise and have a never-ending list of chores to finish, then one thing is extremely clear: you’ve made your way too complicated.
Take Back Your Day
A behavioral psychologist once told me that if you look at the things someone actually does with their day, you will see the things that they actually think are important as well as attain insight into what they truly believe to be worthy of their attention.
I think there’s a lot of merit to this way of thinking.
Our lives exist in this magical moment we call the present.
Often, for many, there is a belief that you can delegate the important and meaningful parts of life to some time ‘later.’
However, ‘later’ will never come. All of life is lived in the present.
The present is all we have. We need to confront the present, take hold of it and become the responsible stewards of our lives that we ought to be.
That same psychologist told me that he will assign his patients a task of writing down what they do each day – as they do it – in 1 hour blocks. So, they might wake up at 6 a.m., and at 7 a.m., they note down what they did the last hour, then the same thing at 8 a.m. and on and on until the day is over.
Do this over the course of a week and you will see what you truly value.
Do it for a month without making any changes and see if you like the way that life looks on paper.
This is the point: you are the judge.
Are you in charge of where your attention goes? Are you in control of your behavior patterns?
Outside of the things you really can’t change, like your work schedule, your spouses or significant others schedule if you have one, your kids’ schedules, etc. are you actively and enthusiastically engaging in the rest of your behaviors?
Are you wasting a lot of time, or worse yet, building the skill of procrastinating and being lazy until things blow up in your face?
Start building the skill of getting closer to being the person you aspire to be. Start creating a better life for yourself by taking back your day.
Still not quite sure where to start? Schedule a free 30 minute consultation with Nate.
5 Minute Takeaway
As business owners, mastering time management and daily productivity is crucial. Embracing self-reliance isn't just about managing your time; it's about taking charge of your day and making every moment count. Here are actionable tips to help you improve daily habits and boost personal efficiency:
Prioritize Your Tasks: Begin by identifying the tasks that add the most value to your day. Focus on these to enhance your daily productivity.
Set Clear Goals: Setting clear, achievable goals each day can keep you focused and motivated. Whether it's completing a project or improving your skills, define what success looks like for you each morning.
Avoid Procrastination: Stay committed to your tasks. Avoid the temptation to delay essential tasks in favor of less important ones.
Limit Distractions: Distractions are everywhere. Limit interruptions by setting boundaries and specific times to check emails and social media.
Reflect on Your Progress: At the end of the day, take a moment to reflect on what you've accomplished and what can be improved. This daily reflection can lead to better time management and increased productivity.
By integrating these strategies into your routine, you can take back control of your day and rely on yourself to achieve greater success. Emphasize self-reliance and personal efficiency to not only manage your business effectively but to also lead a more fulfilling and organized life.
