How to Be Mindful of Your Time

Hello again, entrepreneurs! It’s Dr. Lina Ehlinger here again with the Resilience Accelerator. I had a mentor several years ago who gave me some advice that I still remind myself of regularly. He said, “Your time and attention are your two greatest resources.” And for entrepreneurs, our time often seems fleeting as we’re pulled in endless different directions. So, before you say ‘yes’ to another commitment (work-related or otherwise!), ask yourself these questions.

1. How full is my plate already? Let’s just start with a reality check. According to Gallup, 62% of small business owners reported working more than 50 hours a week. That’s no small feat, and might even seem like a lowball estimate to some. Take a moment to assess your current workload. Are you already feeling stretched thin? Adding another commitment might just tip the scales, leading to burnout on the horizon. Be sure to not just consider negative sources of stress in your life, but positive stress as well - upcoming travel you’re looking forward to, a new development in your business, a new relationship, holidays, etc. Each of these seemingly positive events can add incremental stress to your life that we often discount.

2. Does this commitment align with my values? Entrepreneurs are known for their passion and drive, and this might compel you to want to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity that comes your way. But amidst all this hustle and bustle, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Before diving headfirst into another commitment, pause and reflect. Does it resonate with your core values? Does the commitment contribute to your long-term goals? Commitments that do not connect with our core values can lead to feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction down the road; whereas commitments that align with our values fill our cups and lead to feelings of pride, fulfillment, and connection.

3. What do I get out of this commitment, and is it unique? At face value, this might seem like a self-centered question; but, shouldn’t we be the most fierce protectors of our time and resources? In a sea of opportunities, it’s essential to take time to discern the diamonds from the rough. Serving on that additional board might sound appealing, but what tangible benefits does it offer? Will it introduce you to a unique opportunity to connect with someone you might not have another opportunity to connect with? Will it provide insights that can propel your business forward? Seek out commitments that offer something unique and valuable. Now, that’s not to say that you can’t commit to things if they don’t offer you anything - if your values lean towards service and connection, that alone might propel you to take that opportunity. It’s about keeping the bigger picture in mind and discerning what makes sense to add to your plate.

4. Do I know I have a busy season coming up? Every entrepreneur knows that business is cyclical. There are times when the workload is manageable, and others when it feels like a never-ending tsunami of tasks. Anticipating these busy seasons is essential to maintaining your sanity. So, before committing to anything new, take a peek at your calendar. Are you gearing up for a product launch? Is tax season right around the corner? Do you have a lot of family commitments coming up? If so, it might be wise to hold off on adding more to your plate until the storm has passed.

My last tip is this: if you’ve asked yourself these questions and it’s not looking like you have a lot of extra bandwidth for another commitment, but you reeeeeeaaaalllllyyyy want to add that extra something - do it! Cut back on something else, make adjustments to the commitment, etc. Get creative and find a way to make it work. Just make sure you’re not doing that for every commitment! It’s not about doing more, but doing what truly matters. So, guard your time fiercely, and use it to build the life and business you really want!

Additional resources for the curious:

Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

A Liberated Mind by Steven Hayes, Ph.D.