“We are a culture of people who’ve bought into the idea that if we stay busy enough, the truth of our lives will not catch up with us.”

Brene Brown

Our world is busier than ever. Each day is so jam-packed with work, activities, crises’, notifications, and distractions we can barely survive without feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. 

The bad news is the world and its busyness and constant pull to be doing more and keeping up, will never go away. 

The good news is we can 100 percent control our time and how we manage our busyness. Making decisions with intent instead of impulse, focusing on what’s most important first, always keeping our energy in mind, and getting control of distractions.

Time management is one of the most important practices in life. If we don’t manage our time correctly we constantly live in a fight or flight state, which in turn causes enormous stress and we end up burned out or sick. 

Let’s be real. Managing our time is going to be a lifelong practice. Some days will be easier than others, but it is completely possible to live a fulfilled life and it all starts with our time. Here are three ways to start taking back your time today.

1. Get 8 hours of solid sleep.  When we don’t recover properly we can’t focus, or be productive. Statistics say that our work productivity is 40 percent lower when we do not get the proper rest that our bodies need.

As I am typing this blog I am flying back from a family event in Washington D.C. My early flight had me up at 3:45 AM and my recovery was at 60 percent according to my tracker. I know for a fact I am not operating at my best productivity level and have to work even harder to get my brain to focus.

2. Time Journal.

I am a firm believer in tracking everything to get accurate data. In real words, … you don’t know shit until you track it, write it down, and compare it to other data. It’s the truth! You can say I ate really healthy today, but when you write it down or record it in an app you notice the little things you ate that you didn’t remember. Or maybe you ate way more of that pizza than you thought. The way we use our time is the same. Record every single thing you do in a day! From brushing your teeth, changing diapers, making photocopies, watching tv, and checking your text messages (this one is always eye-opening). 

So what do I do if I find myself running around like a crazy person and ending the day feeling unaccomplished? I journal. It is so eye-opening and really brings me back to being productive, not just busy. 

Head to my website for a free PDF printable Time Journal you can use every day.

3. Master Routine.

The programs I offer are all designed to maximize your time and create space to take care of your needs. Designing a master routine around sleep, nutrition, movement, productivity, and mindset is where you will find your true fulfillment. You will go about your days with intent; making proper decisions to be the best you, building relationships and taking care of yourself.

Your life will never be perfect, but your life will be something that you design into the master routine that has you flourishing every day. Each day is a new day to practice and be better. No obstacles are too big for you to handle. You have the routine as your solid foundation and you have your needs met on a daily basis. You show up fully for work and for your family. At night, you go to bed fulfilled, excited for what tomorrow will bring.

Remember we are what we repeatedly do. Join the Roots community and start creating your master routine today! You are worthy and capable of all things. I can’t wait to see what you can do!

“I believe it’s true that the difference between great people and everyone else is that great people create their lives actively, while everyone else is created by their lives, passively waiting to see where life takes them next. The difference between the two is the difference between living fully and just existing. The difference between the two is living intentionally and living by accident.” 

• Michael Gerber, The e-myth revisited