Between work, managing your home, relationships, and family – and everything else in between – it’s no wonder that each day can feel like a race – leaving you exhausted as you crash into bed each night.

Most of my clients have been in “race mode” for years. Each day attempting to move faster and faster as more gets added to their plates. Each day pushing harder and harder to get caught up – so they can finally relax and slow down.

This is the reality that so many are living these days. The constant time pressure and frustration over not being able to fit in everything that needs to be done.

Is there a way out?

Absolutely. There is another door – another reality – that is possible to experience in your daily life – but often you are moving so fast you miss it completely.

The key to this new door? Slow down first. Stop waiting to be “caught up” before you ease your foot off the gas pedal and enjoy the ride.

This might sound like an impossible – even laughable – solution but I assure you there is proof to this concept. After coaching super busy, time stressed people for nearly a decade I’ve seen this approach work countless times.

Here’s why: It isn’t possible to stress your way to a state of relaxation.

Our society is a strong indicator that racing your way through life only leads to more stress, overwhelm, and overwork.

A New Reality

It is however very possible to create a pace and rhythm for life that matches your preferred speed and allows you to accomplish at the level you crave.

Here’s how a coach can help:

1. Uncover and eliminate limiting beliefs around time and what is possible for you, creating new possibilities and perspectives about your life.

2. Discover your personal approach to time and build a customized system based on your strengths and preferences.

3. Clarify your priorities and values so that you are only focused on what is truly important enough to receive your attention.

4. Develop strategies for reducing the “noise” in your life – whether that is energy-draining people, projects, thoughts or stressful emotions.

5. Learn how to slow down first through mindfulness and body-awareness that allow you to trust and leverage your intuition.

How to Get Started Saving Time

Hopefully you are already coming away with a slightly shifted perspective – or at least some new ideas to consider.

Moving forward I want to offer one of the best exercises that can help you to start saving more time and energy immediately: Connect to your mind, body, and spirit.

This may sound counter-intuitive given the endless time management behavior-focused tips and tricks out there but I highly recommend you give this a whirl.

Here’s how:

  • Notice your thoughts around time.
  • Notice their impact on your body. Breathe.
  • Notice that a new thought will always emerge.

A common example:

“There aren’t enough hours in the day!” Notice how this thought makes your body feel. Notice its impact on your breathing, on your ability to think clearly and be creative. Notice how much stress this thought generates.

Next notice that don’t have to take this thought too seriously. It isn’t any indicator of reality. It’s merely a thought that floated through your mind. Let it keep floating.  A new thought will always emerge.

This is an act of mindfulness and body-awareness. Catching and releasing our thoughts can slow us down, allow us tune into our breath, and deactivate our stress response – freeing up vital energy and focus.

Do not let the simplicity of this exercise cause you to underestimate the power behind it. I promise a new reality awaits.