The best way to find time and get more done. The answer will surprise you.
--
I accidentally stumbled upon the answer 5 years ago. It astounded me. Not only that, but it transformed me and everything in my life. You see, I had functioned under the belief that I never had enough time. That I would never get everything done. This meant that I NEVER had any free time. I booked myself up with back-to-back appointments, meetings, errands, chores, you name it. So much so, that I was rarely on time for anything. This went on for most of my adult life, almost 25 years. I started to realize I was on a crash course. I took a stress reduction class, I started seeing a counselor to find ways to reduce my stress. None of it worked. It wasn’t until I had a breakdown and I couldn’t get out of bed for six months, that I started to unpack what had brought me to this point.
What I discovered was this: I believed I would never have enough time to get everything done.
This directly contradicted what the counselor was trying to get me to do. She wanted me to set aside a day, an afternoon or even just an hour for myself. I couldn’t do it. I would block off the time (yes, I would get that far), but as the time approached I would realize I could use that time to get stuff done. So “my time” became the “catch-up time”. Every time. Until my breakdown occurred and I literally couldn’t do anything.
This is when it happened. Well, not right away. At first I was terrified, then angry, then confused, then hopeless. After I worked through a few of those stages, something interesting started to occur. I stopped fighting against what was happening to me. I started to accept it. Then I started to embrace it as a golden opportunity to remake myself in a better, more healthy way. I started to sit and breathe. For the first time I was still enough that I could reflect and ask myself questions. Wonder about myself and my life. This developed into a rich and vibrant mindfulness practice over the next five years.
Ok, this is when it actually happened. I didn’t notice it right away. Then I started to observe it here and there. I started telling family and friends about the phenomena I was experiencing. After a time of mindfulness and rest (sometimes an hour, sometimes longer) I would notice a time of massive productivity. This was a level of productivity that I had never had. It was at a level that I didn’t think was humanly possible. The other aspect that I took note of was that it was fun, natural and effortless. These characteristics were not contingent upon that task. Tt could be anything: from a mundane daily chore, to a big project, to a creative endeavor, to a problem that had been troubling me for months. They all were a piece of cake. A joy. A blast. I was like, “What the heck is going on?”
Here was my conclusion: The more time I spent in mindfulness, the more time I created. Not only that, but the time I created was massively more productive and way more fun!
There was a catch. This is why it took me several years to find this space of creating quantum time. When I first had my breakdown, I felt there was something “wrong” with me, that I needed to be “fixed.” So for a long time, I was trying to “get better” so I could start “doing” again. I held on to that approach for a long time. Until I got too tired and couldn’t hold on to it anymore. Then I started the practice of “being gentle with myself”. This is something my acupuncturist told me I needed to do. I was being too hard on myself. So then when I was to tired, I would just “sit, breathe and be”.
That was when it shifted and I started experiencing quantum time and productivity.
Here’s the progression:
#1 Be Still
When I allowed myself to be still and fully present, I was able to restore myself. I was able to find true rest. True peace. In that space I was able to refuel and recharge. After I was replenished, I moved into another space. A space of wondering, curiosity, creativity and unlimited potential.
#2 Release Expectations
The key was that I had to let go of all expectations in that time and space. No expectations of myself, my time, the results. The time I was spending in mindfulness, had to be for one reason only: to be, breathe and allow.
Once I let go of all expectations, the floodgates opened!
#3 Allow
I never in my wildest dreams would have guessed that this practice of allowing and being, would give me the key that unlocked the mystery of time and productivity! It still blows my mind!
Maybe you can relate? Over the years I have shared this message of mindfulness and self-care with so many. Almost everyone says they know it would be beneficial for them, and they want to do it more. Then they follow that by saying, “I just don’t have enough time”. I totally get it. I was right there, 5 years ago.
The irony is that this is EXACTLY WHAT WE MUST DO!
The Hard Truth. You’re right. You don’t have enough time. I was right too. Why you ask? Because if you are trying to run on a gas tank that is 1/8 full, you’re not gonna make it. It’s gonna be scary and hard. And let’s face it, you’re not gonna make it. I didn’t.
The Good News. What if instead, your gas tank is filled to the brim? Not only that, but your car is in tip-top shape. Everything is working seamlessly, no issues. How would that feel? How does it feel to drive a brand new car off the lot? You are full of confidence, and enjoying every minute.
Let’s recap:
TRUTH #1
If you don’t take time to replenish, you will never have enough time.
TRUTH #2
If you take time to replenish yourself, you will not only have enough time, but you will shift into a realm of time creation and productivity that is not humanly possible!
Don’t know where to start? No worries…I’ve got you!
This is exactly why I created the BE THE MOMENT process and the FOUNDATION EXPERIENCE. Both are designed to lead you into the space I have shared with you today.
The BE THE MOMENT process is a guided mindfulness practice, where I lead you through 7 layers of accessing present moment.
The FOUNDATION EXPERIENCE is a book and meditations. Combined they allow you to create a daily mindfulness practice, easily and effortlessly. This practice is the foundation upon which you can build the life of your dreams.
This is what I did, and I 100% believe you can too.
With my daily mindfulness practice I make 5x times more money that I ever did before. I have more free time than I’ve ever had. I accomplished my lifelong dream of writing and publishing a book. I create daily. I run 5 businesses with ease. I impact thousands of people every week through my social media, books, courses, podcasts, blog, and more! I have never been happier, more relaxed or had more fun.
Sound good? What are you waiting for?!?!?
Dear Reader,
Connection is my favorite thing, besides mindfulness. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this article, or you can hop over to my website and sign up for any of my free offerings, or my Daily Dose of Vitamin B* (*Be The Moment) to get connected today.
All my love~ emilie
