Have More Time!

Although we cannot change physical time (i.e. a minute remains 60 seconds) we can change our relationship to time. Ever notice that when you feel like you don't have enough time, time speeds up, and that when you feel like you have more than enough time, it slows down? 

Worrying about how much time you have (or don't have) will only bring about more worrying about time.  The fact is that time is static, it's our relationship to it that allows it to become plastic.  

I'll give you an example: a project is due in a few hours.  I have been working on it for weeks and it's still not complete.  I know the time I have is set, and I keep wishing for more time, wishing I'd done more earlier, and hoping that by some crazy miracle it will just go away.  My head is spinning and I need 'a break'. Although it's not really a break, I just think more about the impossibility of the task in front of me.  Keeping in this experience will actually act to speed up the little time I had, as my anxiousness, stress and worry is actually slowing me down.

If instead, I look at what time I have, accept that I only have that amount of time, and get in action, my day unfolds very differently.  The acceptance of what I have allows me to stay out of my mind, wishing for more and wasting time with my thoughts of 'what if'.  I make a quick plan, and get in action.  Action creates results.  Thinking just leads to more thinking, and frankly, most of the time it is a waste of time!  I get focused and take the actions to 'win'.

Now, in both scenarios I mght not get everything I need to get done in the amount of time I have.  However, I'm certain that not only will I feel better in the second scenario, I will have a better chance of achieving my goals.  Why?  Because I'm in action, producing results vs. thinking about what could be different.  I cannot change the time I have, I might not even be able to change my circumstance, but I can change my reaction.  By changing my relationship to time - from one where I am stressed about the little time I have, to commiting to maximizing that same time - things unfold very differently.  I have the experience of having more time.

The same thing happens on the court, in the pool, on the field, in the gym, wherever you train and/or compete.  The staticness of time freaks you out.  The clock is ticking down, you only have seconds left in your routine, the other team has almost won the game.  This sense of 'lack of time' can paralyze you.  Or, you can put that stress, anxiety, and uncertainty to the side and take the actions needed to win.  Time will eventually run out - what are you going to do with the time you have?

So, how do you want to treat your time today?

~ Coach Kara

www.performancetolife.com