Finding Time

August 2024 – By Rebecca Purdy, Deputy Director, Central Rappahannock Regional Library

I used to hate my Saturdays. They started with getting up early to beat the crowds at the Farmers’ Market and the grocery store, taking the dog for his longer weekend walk and then calling my parents. By the time all of this was done it was noon, I’d lost a quarter of my weekend and I was grumpy! Not doing those tasks at all wasn’t an option so I started considering how I might make a change. I quickly realized that the idea of spreading them throughout the weekend felt even worse. So armed with my new perspective, I made the choice to keep those chores bundled together and now I have 36 glorious hours to divvy up however I want.

● If something is bugging you about how you’re spending your time, look at making adjustments and consider whether or not the impact is worth it. Even if you change
nothing, you’ll have a new perspective.

At the end of every week, I look at my work calendar for any blocks of an hour or more and then I schedule those times to focus on a specific project that needs my attention. Google even has a “focus time” feature which provides users the option to turn off email and chat notifications when it’s on your calendar. So now instead of losing a precious hour because I’ve allowed myself to be pulled into the time vortex (AKA email), I am maximizing my work on projects and big picture thinking. As an added bonus whenever something new comes up, I can look at my calendar and make an informed decision about whether or not to shift my priorities.

● Look for blocks of time and protect them! If you rely heavily on a calendar make sure that you schedule them just like you would a meeting. It’s too easy to lose the opportunities those blocks provide if you don’t make a commitment.

Recently I was speaking with a friend about the possibility of taking on a personal writing project and I bemoaned the fact that there was no way to squeeze it in. While I realized that maybe I actually could, I still haven’t. When I looked at the ways that I was already spending the available hours I made the choice NOT to work on it right now.

● Before taking on something new, consider when you might actually squeeze it in and how it would impact your life if you did. Sometimes that means saying no and adding the new endeavor to a someday/maybe list for the future.

It’s so easy to feel time-deprived and overwhelmed by the sense that we have no control over how we spend our work or personal hours. I encourage you to take a look and consider the opportunities for you to make conscious decisions about your time. You may be surprised by the possibilities and if nothing else you’ll be more informed and empowered about how you’re using it.