Self Management Not Time Mangament

This audio track addresses the universal struggle of feeling like time is constantly slipping away and that we aren't productive enough. Rather than offering temporary "time management" hacks, the guide invites listeners to step into the present moment through a gentle meditation focused on self-management. Listeners are encouraged to evaluate what they truly value and choose how to manage themselves—rather than try to control time itself.

Transcript

Self-management, Not time management. Time is not on my side. Time slips through my fingers. Not being productive enough. When was the last time you thought or said any of these things? There were so many phrases about time. But what we do know is that firstly, Everybody has got the same amount of time in a day. Everybody obviously has different responsibilities and jobs, But time is finite. And whether you're doing something or whether you're doing nothing, Time will just tick on. If we're doing something that we're feeling absorbed in or we're really enjoying, Then time tends to move fast. If we are doing something that's making us feel miserable, Then it goes so slowly. So, Time is relative. So, Today's meditation is about managing yourself rather than managing time, Because you can't manage time because it's going to tick by anyway. Okay, So let's bring ourselves to this moment. Just allowing yourself these few minutes. Just to take time out for yourself. We know that meditation is good for our brains and our bodies and our health. So, Just giving yourself permission. To have this time. Bringing your attention to your breath. And just allowing it to slow down if that feels good. Feeling the seat beneath you. Gently closing your eyes if they weren't closed already. And just bringing your breath to its normal rhythm. I'm just using this as your home base today. So, Just as I guide you through this. Just bringing your attention back to your breath. So there's a Zen proverb that says, If you don't have time to meditate for an hour, You should meditate for two hours. This quote has been attributed to various different people. I think the origins are from Zen Buddhism. And the very active meditation. Just being still. Can sometimes help you see things a little bit more clearly. Just focusing on your breath. We know that time is ticking by. But just for these few minutes, As you've given yourself that permission. Just knowing that there's nothing you have to do. No place you have to go right now. So there are lots of time management tips. That you can adopt. Which might help you for a little while. I've done it myself with various different things. And then they fall by the wayside. It's a bit like being on a diet. When you are on one, It might actually work, But it's often just a temporary solution. To a bigger problem. You're staying with your breath. Just noticing what thoughts are coming up for you. Whether you're thinking you need to get on with your day. Because we are so obsessed with being productive. Actually, We need. . . Moments where we do nothing. Even daydreaming, Kind of looking out the window. Some of our best ideas can come to us. When we're just without any plan. So just enjoying. Being. And breathing. So with our self-management, We can control things, We can control how efficient we are. We can control distractions. And meditation certainly helps us do that because we notice when we've gone off on some story. And we can bring that skill into daily life. We can notice when we're procrastinating. And whether that's some kind of stress. Behind the cause of that. We can look after ourselves in that moment. With some long, Slow, Relaxing breaths. Or perhaps a compassionate touch. And then just getting on with it. But coming from a wider perspective. If you're looking at your to-do list and you don't get through it. What are the things that are not on your to-do list? That might perhaps bring you joy. Or help you be healthy. So if you're too busy. To be. Working out or spending time with loved ones. Or even meditating. Under that guise of too busy. Is there anything that you can drop? Delegate Tomorrow we're going to be looking at being out of time. So, When you're out of time. Right now, We're just looking at. . . What you value and how you can manage yourself. A bit more for you. Rather than for others. So maybe after this meditation. Just really. . . Seeing what you prioritize. And then perhaps looking at what you'd like to prioritize. What you value. Maybe something's just popped into your mind that you'd like to do or try. We'll make time for I'm just letting that be there without any resistance. Oh, I can't do that because of this. Okay! Coming to the end now. You just once more feeling the seat. Beneath you. And just giving yourself a little. . . Virtual high five or a real one. Just to say thank you for giving yourself this time today. And maybe writing down some of those things.