This may seem like an odd question but have you ever considered your relationship with time? Most of us feel incredibly frustrated when it comes to time. I am constantly hearing my clients tell me, “I don’t have enough time” or “wouldn’t that be great if I had space to do blank.” Not to mention our societies gripping fear of aging, regret, and wasting time– that is a lot of pressure we put on ourselves in regards to time.
Just as your relationships with loved ones, coworkers and yourself, you have a relationship with time. The way you think about time, spend your time, and react to the calendar or clock all have to do with this relationship.
For me, I used to feel like I am either running out of time or that time is working against me. In other words, it was more of a foe than friend of mine. I had to follow its lead and be controlled by it. These perspectives led to a lot of anxiety, panic, rushing, frustration and victim thinking. Does this resonate with you?
But what if time didn’t have that much power over you? What if your view of time had nothing to do with time at all –but more to do with a false belief in scarcity thinking?
In the amazing book, The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
There a few important realizations that I took from these statements. The first is that time is not outside of me, it is in my control and the other is that looking at time in the “regular” way that most of society does is largely dependent on fear based –scarcity thinking. If I have created so many positive reframes on old ways of thinking that didn’t serve me, why can’t I do it with time?
I know this may sound farfetched. The reason being most everyone we know doesn’t look at or understand time in this way. But if you are willing to shift your relationship with time you can shift your relationship with struggle, anxiety and even health issues to a place of peace, love and acceptance.
A quote that I use to help guide me to new heights and deeper understandings is by Deepak Chopra – “every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past of a pioneer of the future.” Are you willing to try?
Here are a few ways to develop a better relationship with time:
1. Put yourself first.
By putting yourself first and doing what’s best for you, you are beginning to take call the shots on time rather than the other way around. You get to choose what is best for you and what will fill you up rather than deplete you.
2. Take ownership of your time.
That means know that you create it. The idea that time is against you or you have to follow its lead is done. Now it’s about putting yourself in the driver’s seat.
3. Create a new language around time.
Notice how you speak about time. What is the language you use around time and how does it serve you? If it leads to a stronger believe in the scarcity of time wipe it out and use new language.
4. Renew your belief around time.
Write out what limiting beliefs you have around time and create new ones that support the idea that you are the creator of your time and there is an abundance of it.
5. Trust in your experience.
This one is so important! Rather than judging yourself and your experience with time/age/accomplishments choose trust instead. Trust that the unfolding of time in your life is exactly as it’s meant to be for you.
Give yourself the gift of peace, trust and energy by reworking and creating a new relationship with time. Just the way your other relationships work in life – your perspective of time largely impacts your life experience. If you are ready to make some changes and become a pioneer share in the comments below:)
Credits: Purpose Fairy.
