Stop the glorification of busy! When it comes to living a full, mindful life, we need to stop, slow, and reassess. Feel less busy with these simple tips.

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In today’s culture it’s really easy to be busy: to have so many things that need to get accomplished in the 24 hours you have, that all you do is worry about it. More than half of the time we experience anxiety over-thinking about the things on our plate rather than focusing our energy on accomplishing them. Not being present in any situation is a real time-stealer and energy sucker.

You don’t want that, do you?

I didn’t think so.

So, when it comes to being productive in your life—and even dating—learning to be present is the most important education you can give yourself.

I see people often using time as an excuse to not do something when the truth is: they don’t want to do it. Using phrases like; “I’m just rippin’ and runnin’ today,” “I wish I had the time,” “I’d really love to, but…” All of these phrases are usually gentle ways of saying: I’m not that interested in what you’re proposing or I’m so busy please don’t ask me.

How you speak about your world is the shape your world will eventually take. Be gentle and specific.

Here are a few things for you to contemplate. You know… if you have the time.

Don’t Believe the Hype

Being busy is a state of mind. One of the most common things I work on with clients is anxiety and time management. The place I start? Having them write down five thoughts they have about time.

My momma used to say, “If you’re early: You’re on time. And, If you’re on time: You’re late.” Those are the words that motivated me all of my childhood and most of my adult life. Eventually, I had to give them up because they created a subtle anxiety underneath everything I did when it came to being timely.

It really worked well in keeping me on track and mindful of other people’s time, until my own time became of value to me. Then the only thing that was helpful was the art of saying NO.

Be realistic.

Do what you can when you can. When summarizing the tasks at hand, be realistic and honest with yourself. If a task takes two days to accomplish, it takes two days. Don’t tell yourself otherwise.

When you are truthful with yourself and others about your capabilities, you create a bond of trust. If others trust you, they will choose you over and over again.

Respect the flow.

Everything has a flow to it—a rhythm. That process takes everything you know and all the things you don’t know; and it’s something you can’t possibly plan for in your own life.

Trust that the divine presence of your accomplishment (yes, the time and place where the thing you’re doing is already done) knows exactly the steps you need to follow in order to bring it into manifestation. Once you get into the rhythm you garner and wield the force of the Universe with you and all things become possible.

Beware of bullies.

Don’t let anyone or anything talk you out of being truthful. A popular tactic some people use to get what they want from you is to gaslight you into believing something doesn’t actually take the time it does. They’ll use the threat of loss or the gain of money to enhance your belief. The truth is: the closer you get to being accurate about your skills and abilities the more efficient you become.

No matter what anyone says, that does not change. Everything else is just crazy-making.

Say “no” with firmness and grace.

Learning to say no without guilt and with joy will become your best friend.

I know a lot of folk who don’t want to say no for the fear of hurting another’s feelings. But the truth is, someone’s feelings will surely be hurt when you say you’ll do something and you don’t. Your friend then has to deal with the consequences, possibly—the time, expense, disappointment, or frustration that your saying no would have avoided.

Always remember: You are the master of your Universe. Not others. Your world contains specific obstacles and restrictions that are there to guide you into the most efficient process of accomplishing whatever is at hand.

And, most of all: Your Universe is never against you. It is always conspiring for your greatness, your love, your well-being, and your success. All it wants is your acknowledgement and it will give you everything you need, including TIME.