The Time Finder with Paula Eder

The way you use your time is the way you live your life.

Finding Time with Temporary Time Boundaries

Posted on May 20, 2009, under Time Boundaries.

boundaryYesterday we discussed how using time boundaries can help you stay focused in the moment, even when something you are looking forward to (or dreading) is on your horizon. Today I’d like to look at how time boundaries can help you focus and prioritize your everyday tasks.

Think of time boundaries as choices that you make. In order to say yes to one thing you need to say no to other things in any given moment. If the “other things” are tasks or activities that you enjoy, then saying “no” to them can be a challenge. When I need to do this, I find it helpful to remember that the boundaries I set are not forever. I will be able to come back to those things — just not right now.

When I’ve written about time boundaries and children, I’ve encouraged you to make it clear to children that the boundary won’t be forever, and that you’ll do something fun at a specified later time.  This gives children something to look forward to, and helps them to be patient as they wait for your “boundaried time” to be over.

Messages that are clarifying for others are also often very useful as self-talk.  Being unambiguous about the span of a time boundary – and what will follow – allows us to not fight the limit.  We can relax and focus on what we need to, knowing that later we will be able to come back to the activity that we are delaying.

In her post “off-limits until …” Janice Russell sums this up nicely, noting:

Organizing is easier if you set boundaries. Some examples might include only keeping the number of books that fit into your bookshelves, only keeping the amount of paper that fits into your file cabinet (a 4-drawer cabinet holds 18,000 sheets of paper), or saying “no” next time someone asks you to volunteer for a committee. Other examples include making certain activities “off-limits” until other tasks have been completed.

Explore her website and blog at Minding Your Matters for some great organizing tips!

This moment is what you have — how do you manage your time boundaries to enhance your productivity? I’d love to hear!

What if you could find another hour every day? You can! You are invited to sign up and download The New Finding Time Boundary Template. It’s FREE, and when you sign up you will also receive (if you don’t already) my FREE, weekly Finding Time Tips and my FREE, monthly Award-Winning Finding Time E-zine!

Let’s explore time together …

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There are 2 Responses to “Finding Time with Temporary Time Boundaries”

#1 Helene Desruisseaux - 27 May, 9:18 AM

As a life-long rebel (even against my own rules:-)), I find your “boundaries are not forever” reminder really useful.

As far as what works in managing my time boundaries, I find that I need to write down what I want to accomplish even if the list is quite clear in my head.

The act of writing it down makes it more likely to happen, probably because getting it out of my head nudges the energy forward.

#2 Paula - 28 May, 5:32 AM

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Helene. I love your observation about writing things down and how it seems to “nudge the energy forward.”

It does seem that the act of writing would elevate the task in one’s consciousness, as well as elevating one’s commitment to it. Isn’t it fascinating and wonderful, how some of these seemingly small steps can have such an impact?

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