We do everything we can to change the process for just alittle more time.  We get up earlier and have more time.  NOW you have more on your plate because you have more time.  It is a viscous cycle.  We are constantly grappling with time, and may struggle with ourselves.  But beneath our relationship with time is a more powerful word:TIMING.Timing is about the natural sequence of things, about noticing, waiting and taking action.  By understanding timing, we realize we can control our raft but not the river.  Circumstances change and we know when to throw ourselves into our work and when to place family and friends first.  Awareness of timing helps us shift through phases of our lives.  Awareness can be learned. It just takes some practice to learn to live in the present.

1. Be Organized~There is a place for everything and everything in its place. Disorganized people waste large portions of their lives searching for things. Plan your time and stick to your plans.

2. Set Realistic Expectations~Most people fail at managing time because they try to do too much within a given period of time. Each day pick 5 things that can be done and stick to those.  If you bombard your mind with all that you have to do, you will not accomplish any of your tasks.  All your goals or intentions must be measurable, attainable, relevant and time related.

3. Reduce Wasting Time~Wasted time cannot be recovered. Relaxing is good for restoring energy.  Too much of relaxation is not good. Idling, either deliberately or inadvertently, when you have a task that you need to accomplish is even worse.  There are many occasions in life where waiting is part of accomplishing a task.  Acknowledge the wait and move on.

4. Improve Personal Efficiency~There are two ways which contribute to inefficiency. First, is work expands to fill the time you allotted for your task and second, is if something can go wrong or can interrupt, it will. Combating these will improve efficiency. The first one can be neutralized by reducing the time for each task, and the second one cannot be totally neutralized, but being prepared is the best defense.  Prepare your mind and remember to acknowledge and move on.

5. Be Determined~No amount of skill, training and tools can replace the feeling and accomplishment of sticking to your values and reaching for your goals. Commitment to you and your goals is what moves you forward leaving the old behind.

So as you adjust, think about how timing works in your life and step into a better rhythm.