Everywhere you turn today, somebody is in a rush. Hurry here, hurry there. Free up an extra half-an-hour so you can squeeze just one more thing into your already overflowing schedule of things to do. Many of us mistake living fast for living well. They aren't the same things.
Rather than spend your time rushing around not enjoying life, decide to do just the opposite. Make the conscious choice to slow down and start living at the speed of life. If you're not sure how, here are a few ideas:
1. Stop rushing
No matter how much you do or don't do, time passes by second by second, minute by minute. Accept that you can't change that and PACE YOURSELF.
2. Stop being rushed
Of course, you'll need to spend some time telling the people around you that you're not going to rush anymore, but it's worth it. Don't let them push you into 'fast forward' mode.
3. Do less
It's natural for you to speed up and start rushing when you want to do
this, that, and the other thing. Reduce your commitments, start saying no, and open up some free time in your life.
4. Do nothing
Go one step further and plan "nothing days." (Or should that be, don't plan them?) These are days when you have absolutely nothing that must be done, days when anything you choose to do is the right thing to do.
5. Do one thing at a time.
If you can't do nothing, then doing only 1 thing is the next best thing. (If you can go a week without driving and talking on your cell phone at the same time you're on the right track.)
6. Do things now.
Not everything, just the stuff that really must be done today. Pay your bills when they arrive, not the day they're due. Take out the trash when the trash is full, not just on the day the garbage truck comes by.
7. Do something for someone else.
Spend an hour each week helping your favorite charity and you'll
quickly see just how valuable time really is... AND you'll feel great by focusing on helping others.
About the author:
Jim Allen is a professional life coach and the editor of the self-help site:
http://www.MyNewAttitude.com
