There’s an age-old saying that “time flies.” We’re all adults; we know it’s the truth. Time really does fly by and with each passing year, it seems to go faster and faster.
I’ve been doing a little research on this. Why is it that when we're small, summer feels like an eternity but as an adult, it feels like the blink of an eye?
I found this great piece from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows (a dictionary of made-up words to describe thoughts and feelings that have no words). The word for “time flying by” is Zenosyne: The Sense That Time Keeps Going Faster. There is even a beautiful (and perhaps tear-inducing) video which explains why time goes faster as we get older.
So here we are. It’s the beginning of August. For many people, the summer is wrapping up and you’re preparing for fall. I mean, there are only five months left in the year and, for me at least, it feels like we were just setting new intentions and goals. My “word of the year” for 2019 is Explore, and one of the things I am passionately exploring is how to make the most of my time and my energy. Where does the time go? It seems that no matter how hard I work at staying present, I still feel like I could have done a better job – if only I’d have tried a little harder or had a little more patience.
Let’s face it – – I’m not wrong here. But I also know that beating myself up about it won’t make anything better.
If you’re anything like me, you’re starting to think about getting back into fall routines – whether that means kids starting school or simply a return to more structure in your business. For me, the close of summer is always bitter-sweet. Did we have enough fun? Did we spend enough quality time together? Are the memories strong enough to last? As hard as I try, the answer is almost never a solid “yes.” Moms are really hard on themselves, and I am no exception.
“Life is short and life is long. But not in that order.”
I believe there's only one real way to stay present when the world moves faster and faster every day. Reflection and reassessment of your goals, desires, and commitments. What do you really want, and why do you really want it?
As you move into the next few months, routines pick back up and the seasons change, move with intention.
Here are a few tips for feeling in control, empowered and calm when change is afoot.
Reassessing Your Goals
When making plans and establishing your goals, it’s super important to set aside intentional time to gather your thoughts. To be effective, contemplate what is working and what isn’t. Oftentimes, moving forward without taking time to reflect and reassess results in making the same mistakes over and over again. And as Einstein put it, “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.”
If you’re going to take time to set new goals and aim for new accomplishments, you may as well make sure you’re actually setting yourself up for success!
Now’s the time to dig deep and ask the hard questions. Go ahead; grab a pen and paper and actually write out your responses.
- What is something you have accomplished so far this year that you’re proud of?
- Why are you proud of this accomplishment?
- Would it feel good to accomplish something like this again?
- Which habits are really working for you?
- Which habits aren’t working for you?
- What changes would you like to make before the end of the year?
Committing to Greatness
Now that you’ve taken some time to reflect on what works and what doesn’t, it’s time to recommit yourself. With the right focus and intention, you’ll end the year strong. In fact, you can do anything you put your mind to. I know it’s an overused saying, but it’s so true. We all have the same number of hours in a day; success simply comes from hard work, determination, and effectively used time.
Committing to yourself is a powerful and important step. Commit to the things that fill you up and push you forward. Think about how you can reward yourself for accomplishing your goals. How can you grow into the person you want to be? How can you achieve your wildest dreams? It’s really only up to you!
Here’s the catch …
Planning is necessary. Goals without a plan are likely to fall flat. You owe it to yourself to block your time and make it happen. (Using my Action Brainstorming Sheet is a great place to start this goal-setting process.)
Clearing Out Things that Don’t Serve You
Like I said earlier, setting yourself up for success is vital in this process. It’s often overlooked, but establishing real boundaries is a huge part of making this happen. Try clearing out space for extra focus. This might look like saying ‘no’ to certain activities or commitments that don’t align with your goals. It may look like creating a more concrete schedule for yourself. This looks different for everybody, but everyone needs to complete this step. It’s all about choosing with intention.
In order to set new goals, get rid of things that don’t work.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Which activities aren’t serving me?
- What am I doing simply because I feel like I ‘should’?
- Which boundaries will help me move forward and closer to accomplishing my goals?
Take a look at the Boundaries Blueprint for extra guidance here. Trust me, this is an extremely important step!
Ask For Help
Here’s the thing – we can’t always do this alone (and we shouldn't really try – delegate, delegate, delegate!). Sometimes goals are big; sometimes they require an intense amount of planning. Of course, some are small and easy to dissect. However, if you have big goals, break them down into small, manageable steps. This is how you find success!
Follow the steps outlined above and hold yourself accountable. You can do this. I know you. I have faith in you. You’re destined for amazing things. I can just feel it in my bones!
If you feel that fire burning, let me know. I am here to guide and empower you. I’m here to coach you through the goal-setting process.
