How do you Find the Time?

I get asked this question all the time. Between hosting a radio show, working with personal and business coaching clients, writing articles, books and reports, and teaching classes and tele-seminars; how do I find the time?

I have done many things to “find” more time, but truthfully, I really did not find it. It has always been there and it always will be there. Using your time effectively is what matters in the long run.

No matter who we are, where we live, or countless other factors and circumstances that are a part of each of our lives, we all have the same amount of time. There is not a week that goes by that has more or less than 168 hours in it. This one commodity really is the same for everyone.

While it might seem like I work 24 hours a day and sacrifice time with my family that is simply not true. In fact, I schedule at least 1 day per week in my calendar that is completely free of work. Most Tuesdays I am able attend our oldest daughter’s dance class, and many times I am home for lunch, and almost always home for dinner.

When we were pregnant with our first daughter I did not miss a single doctor appointment with my wife. Now on number three, I have missed a few, but I schedule them on my calendar in advance and work around them. They are too important for me to miss.

By no means am I superhuman. I cannot accomplish everything I set out to do, but I do set my goals high. If I do not reach them, I come in pretty darn close; close enough to be happy with my achievement.

So while we all have 168 hours per week, the most important factor is in how you use them. While many people are watching their average of 28 hours of TV each week (according to Nielsen research, 2006, US statistics), I am reading, learning, growing and doing something I love.

Living my own life is more important and exciting to me than trying to figure out who got kicked off the island or won American Idol. In fact, I have never seen either of those shows all the way through even one episode.

Now I am not saying TV is bad. I believe there is some great programming in place on certain channels, but I do not let it play a big role in my life.

The first lesson for “finding more time” in your week: Throw a brick through your TV. Talk to your spouse, have a family game night, go for a walk, talk to God (when is the last time you two spoke?). Take the time now to improve the parts of your life or business that need improvement. We all have the same amount of time. What are you doing with yours?