When you talk about "time management" most people think of a daily schedule or task list carefully planned to get the most of the 24 hours that make up a day. The worldwide web is not short on articles, podcasts, and blog posts that tout the importance of using your time wisely. I'm not here to reinforce the wisdom that exists on the topic. I'm here to offer you a perspective on time management that is talked about less frequently and that is the time management of your thought life. This is a perspective which needs to be heard and shared in order to maximize our effectiveness and our peace of mind. We must be careful where our thoughts take us. Everything we do starts off as a thought in our heads. We "think" we are too fat so we come up with a plan to lose weight. We "think" we like a person so we initiate conversation to explore the possibility of relationship. We "think" we look terrible with gray hair so we religiously dye it another color. What dominates our thoughts can directly or indirectly influence our effectiveness at achieving our goals.
Many of us have spent a lot of time lamenting over our shortcomings. So much so that when an opportunity arises we may not pursue it because so much of our thought life has reinforced our inadequacies. For those of us determined to not repeat bad habits or mistakes of the past it is critical to overcome thought patterns that leave us feeling inept and incompetent. When we open our minds to embrace our potential the possibilities become endless. Here are some tips to help you manage your thought life:
Be intentional - It may seem silly or awkward at first but hold yourSELF accountable for intentionally thinking about your life and your dreams in a positive light. Perhaps you don't have all the resources in place yet to make things happen but that doesn't mean your thoughts should focus on what you don't have. At this juncture its even more crucial that your thoughts focus on your faith and not what you lack.
Set the Atmosphere - Many times our thoughts are triggered by what goes on in our environments. Consider strategically placing things in your environment that trigger positive thoughts and emotions. These are things that remind us of our purpose, motivate us to keep trying, and provide a sense of peace in the midst of our chaotic circumstances. Maybe its a picture of your kids on your desk at work to remind you of why you do what you do. Perhaps its a serene painting of an ocean view that greets you in the foyer of your home when you arrive home from a long day of work. Could be the sunflowers that grow in the flowerbed just outside your kitchen window which catch your eye as you head for the garage in the morning. That post-it note on the mirror in your bathroom that reminds you, "YES YOU CAN!" The internet radio station your cell phone is set to for your drive into work to calm your spirit and get you focused. There is a lot you can do to set the tone for your thoughts and actions!
Schedule Strategic Thinking Times - Dedicate some time each day to think about things that increase your val-you, remind you of your goals, and motivate you stay focused. This exercise doesn't have to tie you up for hours either. Give yourself 5-10 minutes in the morning and the same amount of time before bed. Start and end the day with intentional thoughts!
Managing your thoughts is just as important as managing your tasks. You'll find that making it a habit to do so will increase your quality of life and goes a long way towards mastering peace on purpose.
-Enna B
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