Manage your time, even when someone’s crisis calls you…
When you manage your time and set strong boundaries it helps you stay focused on what matters to you.
And if you’ve ever felt like your day gets derailed by other people’s issues, you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel like you’re getting swept up in someone else’s whirlwind, leaving your own goals and priorities on the back burner.
Want to manage your time better so that doesn’t happen? Well, here are 6 tips to help you keep your goals in sight without letting other people’s crises throw you off track:
Manage your time and boundaries:
1. Know Your Priorities
First things first: be crystal clear about what you want to achieve. Write down your top goals for the week, day, or even hour if you have a packed schedule. This list serves as your anchor. When you know where you want to go, it’s easier to identify distractions for what they are and decide whether to engage.
2. Learn the Art of Saying “No” Gracefully
It can feel uncomfortable, but saying “no” is essential to protecting your time. Remember, “no” isn’t a rejection of the person asking for help—it’s a commitment to your own priorities. Practice saying, “I’d love to help, but I’m tied up right now,” or “Can we talk about this later?” This gentle but firm response helps maintain relationships without sacrificing your time.
3. Avoid the “Rescue Reflex”
For many, it’s second nature to jump in and help at the first sign of a crisis. But remember, not every problem is yours to solve. Ask yourself, “Is this really something I need to be involved in?” Pause, take a breath, and evaluate whether stepping in will genuinely help or if it will pull you away from what you need to do.
Read on for 3 more tips…
4. Set Clear Blocks of Time for Work and Breaks
Designate specific times for focused work when you won’t be interrupted, and make it known to others. When people know you’re off-limits during certain hours, they’re more likely to find other solutions or schedule their requests around your availability.
5. Use the Power of “Let Me Get Back to You”
When you feel the urge to respond right away, especially to a crisis that isn’t urgent, say, “Let me get back to you on that.” This buys you time to assess the situation and decide how much energy you want to dedicate to it. It’s a way to stay responsive without letting someone else’s emergency become your immediate problem.
6. Evaluate Urgency Versus Importance
Not every urgent issue is important, and not every important issue is urgent. Sometimes we react to things that feel immediate without considering their true importance. Take a few seconds to ask yourself if the problem in front of you is both urgent and important. If it’s not, put it on the back burner and tackle your own priorities first.
Boundaries don’t mean cutting yourself off—they mean setting a healthy framework that allows you to thrive while still being available to help in meaningful ways. By focusing on your goals, learning to say “no” when necessary, and keeping crises in perspective, you’ll manage your time with purpose. And remember: staying focused on your priorities isn’t selfish; it’s essential for your success.
So which of these tips look especially useful to you? How will you start to make changes, beginning today?
Here’s more help:
How often do distractions and interruptions pull you off track? If you feel thwarted by some of your own choices, learn to support yourself by setting and maintaining meaningful inner boundaries. My Inner Boundary Checklist is designed to help you do just that. Find time for what truly matters to you.
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