There isn’t time for lunch with friends.

There isn’t time for shopping.

There isn’t time to draw.

And there is never enough time to write fiction!

I often feel pressed for time.

Many of us tell ourselves we don’t have enough time to do the things we want to do. We believe our schedules are too full.

But is it true?

According to Laura Vanderkam, author of I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time, it’s not.

We lie to ourselves.

So this week I’m taking concrete action to find out what’s actually true.

I’m tracking time, recording what I do every half hour of each day.

When I realized that time management had become an issue for me, I started waking up earlier trying to add more time to my day.

That helped some. But it wasn’t enough and I’m tracking time now in order to take another step toward better organizing my life.

Research shows, I’m not alone in believing there just isn’t enough time in a day.

According to Vanderkam, it’s because we want to see ourselves as hard working; and we always feel rushed.

If I track time, keep a record, I can figure out where my time actually goes, and I can construct a narrative that’s true.

According to Tony Robbins, Where Focus Goes, Energy Flows.

There are a few main areas I’m paying attention to.

Relationships– Family, Extended Family, Friends
Work (Blogging, Fiction Writing, Reading, Household jobs.)
Health, Exercise, Spiritual Practice
Beauty and Self-Care (Shopping, Facials, Manicures.)

Tracking time forces us to pay attention, which enables us to make better choices.

Even in the time I spent writing this post,

I stopped countless times to answer text messages.

Family members interrupted.

Instagram distracted me a few times too.

But since I was more mindful, I was able to stay focused, and on task. How much time might have slipped by if I hadn’t been alert?

I often BUNDLE activities, so recording those moments may be more difficult.

As I get a haircut, I read a work-related article.

I talk to one of my children, or a friend, while I take a morning walk.

I listen to a Tony Robbins’ video while I cook.

Even with multitasking, we find it hard to fit everything into our jam-packed lives.

People who’ve Tracked Time have found a sense of abundance.

I’m hoping I will too.

Time will tell.