Finding More Time Freedom Is Easier Than You Think
As an early childhood business owner, it is very important to find ways to create more time freedom in your day. This will allow you to operate your early childhood business with less stress and be able to control the chaos.
In our line of work, it can be very difficult when trying to balance work and personal time, but it is possible if you implement some strategies. Today we will discuss some tips that will help you find more time freedom and stop sacrificing your personal time!
Today I am sharing a few tips to help you not only find more time freedom in your day, but be on your way to better controlling the chaos so you can control how you spend your time.
Today we are going to talk about:
What is exactly is time freedom? Define what time freedom means and why it's important for early childhood business owners.
Tips and strategies for finding more time freedom in your day.
What is Time Freedom?
Time freedom is the ability to control your time and schedule. It is important for early childhood business owners/managers because it allows you to balance work and personal time.
It also allows you to find more joy in what you do everyday. It gives you the opportunity to work on the things in your business that you truly enjoy. Things that you want to do, that you are excited to do. This is how you grow your business.
Benefits of having more Time Freedom
reducing stress levels
increasing productivity because you are doing what you want to do
having more time to spend with your family and friends
improving your work/life balance
being a more present leader for your team
catching potential issues before they even happen
Tips and strategies for finding more time freedom in your day
1. Examine your attitude.
Just like goal-setting, you can successfully find more time freedom when you understand you have control over your daily activities. Take ownership of your schedule instead of fighting against it. Pivoting your mindset to embracing that time is on your side where start you on the right path. Begin to practice controlling the chaos instead of trying to eliminate it all together.
2. Analyze how you’re spending your time.
One of the biggest keys to finding more time freedom is analyzing how you spend your day. A time log can make you aware of any time you’re wasting. For one week, record your daily activities and how long they take in a spreadsheet or notebook. You may find that there are tasks you can combine, reorder or delegate.
3. Use the time management buckets.
Divide your tasks into one of four categories to help you prioritize:
Important and/or urgent
Important, non-urgent
Not important, urgent
Not important, non-urgent
4. Plan your day the night before.
Make a to-do list before you leave work in the evening to maximize the next day. Start your morning by completing one big project first. Crossing a big task off your list can give you a sense of accomplishment, motivating you to power through the rest of your responsibilities.
5. Manage interruptions.
Limit interruptions by silencing your phone, and logging out of your email. Put a sticky note on your door that says, “In a meeting. Please leave me a note and I will get back to you when I am finished.” Distractions can cause things you are working on to take much longer than necessary.
6. Follow the two-minute rule.
If it is something that will take less than 2 minutes, go for it. It will get checked off, you will feel good and ready to focus on something that will take longer.
7. Avoid procrastination.
This is our biggest disruption. Face it head-on and get it accomplished. You can do it!
8. Get the biggest bang for your buck.
When organizing your to-do list, look for tasks that are high-value. Items that relieve stress and or bring you a clear mind, then do it. Being stress-free with a clear mind will allow you to be more efficient and productive.
9. Be realistic.
Be honest with yourself on how much time you can allocate to each task. Set realistic expectations.
10. Arrive 15 minutes early.
Allow yourself time to pause, breathe, and compose. If you are flying in and out all of the time, you will find that you are not being fully present as you are thinking about what you need to do next. Giving yourself time to pause will also give you heart and mind time to focus and ready to share your best.
11. Plan ahead.
Do as much as you can in advance. Planning ahead will help make the roadblocks feel less like a detour than a stop.
12. Know when to multitask.
Review your list and determine when it is more efficient to group tasks together and when it is more productive to focus on just one.
13. Know what works for you.
Finding the time of day that works best for you will help you maximize your productivity. Schedule more difficult or important activities during your most productive hours. Also, use the right tools to help you meet your goals. If you prefer to keep things digital, set up your smartphone calendar to send reminders when something is due. If you’re more visual, write out your schedule on a desk calendar. Do what works best for you!
14. Leave some things unfinished.
It takes a great amount of strength and wisdom to know when it is ok to leave items for the next time. It is not realistic to think that you can get it all done. You will find yourself running a race that never ends.
Final Thoughts in Finding Time Freedom
It is possible to find more time freedom by implementing a few thoughtful strategies. Time freedom is important for early childhood business owners/managers because it allows you to balance work and your personal time. Having more time freedom can help reduce stress levels and increase productivity.
Finding more time freedom in your day will give you more joy in your day to be working on the things that light you up and help you shine as the early childhood CEO you are! Confident Early Childhood Operator.
Implementing tips such as creating a daily schedule, outsourcing tasks, taking breaks, eliminating distractions, and prioritizing your time can help you find more time freedom in your day!
You will be spending less time on small details and daily tasks. You can spend more time doing the things you truly enjoy. Focusing on the things that really matter, your top priorities, your key relationships, your most important projects, all the things that will bring you more joy and your business more success.
Talking Points
Finding more time freedom in your day will give you more joy in your day to be working on the things that light you up and help you shine as the early childhood CEO you are! Confident Early Childhood Operator!
What is Time Freedom? [06:01]
Benefits of TIme Freedom [06:24]
Time Freedom is a choice [06:57]
Time management buckets [08:37]
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