You’re Not Getting Any Of My Time
Talk With The Video
Summary
- Someone approached me to do a podcast while I was looking at real estate.
- I was in town to hang out with my wife, Lea, and didn't want to commit to anything else.
- He insisted, asking for just 20 minutes, but I pulled up my empty calendar and showed him that I wanted to keep it free.
- My friend found it hilarious and admired how I had control over my time.
- The lesson here is to say no more often and protect your time. It feels better the more you do it.
- Maintaining control over my schedule, even when it looks free, is empowering.
Video
How To Take Action
A good way of implementing the lesson about protecting your time is by first learning to say no more often. It might feel tough at first, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Here’s how you can start:
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Prioritize Your Commitments: Evaluate what's truly important to you, whether it’s spending time with your family, personal growth, or business priorities. Make a list of these top priorities.
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Create Boundaries: Clearly define your available time for these priorities. For example, if evening time is for family, block it out in your calendar and don’t book anything else during that time.
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Use Your Calendar Effectively: Just like I showed my empty calendar, you can mark your busy times—even if it looks empty. Put down “Reserved Time” or “Focus Time” and stick to it. This visual cue will remind you to protect that time.
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Get Comfortable Saying No: When requests come in, whether it’s for a podcast, a meeting, or a favor, practice saying no. You can politely decline by saying, “I’m focusing on my priorities right now, so I can’t commit to this.”
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Value Your Free Time: Understand that having free time is valuable. Free time allows you to recharge, think, and plan, leading to better decisions and creativity.
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Communicate Clearly: Let people know your boundaries. You can say something like, “I’m setting aside time for personal growth or family, so I won’t be available during these hours.”
By following these steps, you can maintain control of your time, reduce stress, and focus more on what truly matters, ultimately leading to better personal and professional growth.
