8 strategies to fill your cup, even when you “don’t have enough time”

F1000016, originally uploaded by Adriano Sodré

Not enough time. Yeah, I’ve used that excuse for not taking care of myself too. I run a busy coaching practice, and two other businesses with my husband, all while traveling and exploring the country full-time with our son.

I’m the Queen of Not Enough Time.

But I also know it’s bullshit.

I know that when something is a priority in my eyes I create the time to make it happen. I move heaven and earth to get it done. I’m either lit up and on fire for it or it’s just a given, like breathing, and not something I have to think about.

Sure there are only so many hours in a day. Sure there is always something that has to give.

But when it’s our own wellness being sacrificed (and thus our ability to do anything else well) it’s time to question the excuses and find another possibility (and there’s always another possibility).

8 Strategies to FIll My Cup No Matter How Busy I Am

1. It starts with intentions - The number one reason most of us women never have enough time or energy is because we’re not intentional enough with either. We get online because we “have work to do”, or we grab a bite to eat to “hold us over”. Because we’re not intentional with our time what would’ve taken 25 minutes…well, it never even gets done because we’ve hopped on Facebook and forgotten our original goal. And because we’re not intentionally meeting our most basic needs for nutrition and rest, we’re wiped out by 2 o’clock and feeling pretty worthless. Setting intentions leads to intentional and powerful choices and actions. And sitting and breathing with an intention for 30 seconds can literally save or create hours in your day. So next time ask yourself: Why am I choosing [blank]? And DIG IN to your answers.

2. Set the tone - If I want more time in my day to do what helps me to feel amazing, I first get to set the tone of the day. For me this means a shower right away (working from home has the hazard of staying in your PJs too long and nothing says blah like feeling as though you haven’t yet started your day), keeping off the internet too early and nourishing my body first thing in the morning. Another great trick is to put on your sneakers in the morning or save all your sit-down tasks for later in the day to keep yourself energized and effective with your time. The point is this: It’s easier to stay on track when the balls already rolling than it is to try to recover mid-day.

3. Get a headset for your phone – It doesn’t sound like a brilliant idea but for me, it totally was. Nothing fills my cup like connecting with a girlfriend. And being hands-free means I can do it while I’m walking the dog, doing the dishes, folding clothes or running an errand, leaving no excuse for “not enough time”. I’m not a big fan of multi-tasking in general, but if it includes the voice of a sister in my ear I’m all over it.

4. Recreate your space – What part of your life feels like a time-suck? Or a total drain of your energy? Change that. If it’s uninspiring, bring in elements that inspire you, like breathtaking photography to hang above the computer or set as your wallpaper. If it’s chaotic and stressful, bring in things that help you feel grounded, like houseplants, incense, or a water fountain. You deserve to fill your life with beauty and inspiration.

5. Music to my ears – I can’t usually zone out completely during the day, but keeping one earbud in my ear so I can listen to music, an audiobook or audios from an e-course makes a world of difference. It either helps me to feel calm and inspired, or motivated, or aligned with the perspective I want to keep during the day.

6. Give yourself 30 seconds - Don’t tell me you don’t have 30 seconds or I might just have to rattle off my to do list. The next time you feel frazzled, hectic, stressed out, exhausted or too busy, take a 30 second break. Try it: Stop right where you are, feel and focus on your breath or your heartbeat or the ground beneath your feet and count to thirty. Do this many times throughout your day, even using the time to realign with your intention. And if you seriously think you don’t have 30 seconds, I invite you to ask yourself what you’re worth. Because you’re most definitely worth 30 seconds.

7. Turn the noise off - Obviously, this isn’t always possible with little ones around the house. But when I’m driving, the radio is off. Whenever possible the TV is off (I’m a no-news-watching kinda gal). Or I stop complaining about taking the dog for a walk and start realizing it’s my chance for calm and stillness, a needed break in my day. Basically, anytime I’m feeling wiped out, or overwhelmed, I create some silence to just exist in. (Sometimes that means in my head too.)

8. Meditate yourself to sleep – The Dalai Lama said that sleep is the best meditation. And when I don’t slow things down during the day to sit and breath for more than 30 seconds at a time or create some silence in my day, I know I’ll definitely have the time to lay down with one hand on my belly and the other on my heart and deeply breathe myself to sleep. Usually my hubby comes in right as I’m drifting off to sleep, which means I often get a chance to do it all again – that means meditating TWICE in one night! Win! It’s all about perspective.

There are endless possibilities to fill your cup, even when you feel pulled in a million different directions or sabotaged in your efforts (or self-sabotaged for that matter).

But ultimately it’s going to start with you making the choice to examine your ideas and fears and declare to the world, I am important, this matters to me and I deserve to thrive in my own life, dammit. (Try to leave off the dammit.)

What creative ideas fill your cup?