Manage Your Thoughts So You Can Manage Your Time More Effectively

What are you thinking on a daily basis?  Without knowing it you are pursuing certain thoughts over and over again.  These thoughts dictate how you feel and what decisions you will make.  A mentor of mine just recently reminded me of a quote that goes something like this, “I’ve had many problems in my life, but very few of them have ever come to pass.”  Your thoughts create the bulk of your problems and the bulk of what’s limiting you right now.  We tend to think our “problems” are due to external circumstances or other people.

Let’s think about this for a moment.  People in general are more accustomed to blaming others or circumstances rather than taking responsibility for themselves.  When you want to call someone back but don’t you blame not having enough time.  When you fail to finish a task that you were asked to fulfill you blame someone higher up who should have done their job.  Thoughts play a large role in how you decide to live.  You simply need to become more aware of how and what you’re thinking so you can manage your thoughts.  When you’re able to manage your thoughts you will be able to manage your time better.

Recently I spent ten days going through a mental cleanse.  During that time I became very aware when I was in a mental or emotional state that I didn’t like.  I was able to pinpoint what thought or word I had spoken that was affecting me negatively.  I’m sure I will always need to be attentive to my thought life so that I can guard my mind and heart.  I highly recommend that you also decide to tackle this type of a cleanse.  It will give you the clarity and awareness you need in order to make decisions that will support you.  Do you want more free time for yourself?  Do you want to spend more time with your love or kids.  Maybe you want more time to finish projects that are half complete.  Change the way you think and you will start viewing problems as opportunities.

Common thoughts that limit your resources and potential:

• I can’t spend quality time with my spouse today.  I simply don’t have the time.

• I don’t have enough time to see my friends.

• There are so many chores I need to tackle this week.  I feel overwhelmed.

• I feel insane.

• I feel like I’m at the end of my rope.

• My projects will never get done.

• I’m getting fatter.  This muffin top is just going to get worse.

• I don’t get enough time to play with my kids.

Let’s pinpoint all the words that have a limiting/negative impact in theses sentences.  Can’t, Don’t, Insane, Overwhelmed, End of my rope, Getting fatter, Getting worse, Not enough.  I don’t know about you but when I think of these words I actually feel worse.  There is a definate connection between how we feel, and the words we choose to describe ourselves and our situations.

You will come to believe the thoughts you allow iny our mind.  What you speak, you eventually believe to be the truth.  When you allow words like these to occupy your mental space you’re telling your mind to “stop searching for ways to overcome.”  And “Don’t look for resources that may help you start living the life you want.”

Try these thoughts on for a little comparison:

• What will help me spend time with my love today?

• How could I spend more time with friends this week?

• I feel like I need to prioritize.  Which chores need my attention first?

• I feel insane like a clown.  Or, I feel like I lost one of my marbles.

Notice how using different words increases or decreases the intensity of how you feel?  Try it.  Say some of these words out loud.  Your thoughts will either keep you from being productive and enjoying more time or allow you to come up with resources and ideas so that you can manage your time effectively.  Sometimes all you have to do is ask yourself the right type of question so you can get the answer you’re looking for.

Thoughts in the first column are small thoughts.  You have a choice.  You can choose to think small or big thoughts.  Thinking BIG thoughts  empowers you to complete tasks that once seemed impossible or to spend more time with your spouse, kids and friends.  Thinking BIG thoughts allows you to gain back control of your time.  Your mind is incredible.  Use it to it’s full potential.  Ask yourself questions and think thoughts that will move you foreward, not hold you back!

Amy