The Freedom of Time | The Four Types of Freedom
The Freedom of Time is the freedom to do what you need to do according to your own schedule.
It means you have the ability to structure your day around whatever you prioritize. You can work and play whatever hours of the day suit you best – not necessarily a 9-5 schedule.
This is great for early birds and night owls.
It’s great for those folks who need long and/or frequent breaks to be their most productive and creative.
Freedom of Time gives people who have other obligations more opportunity to do everything they need to do:
pick up the kids from school
care for elderly relatives
participate in community groups, etc.
How might you incorporate more Freedom of Time into your own life?
If finding a new, more flexible job is in the cards - do that! If not, create a list of everything you do in a day, in a week, and in a month. Look at the list closely and determine what you can say No to. The more you say No to things, the more time you can regain so that you can say Yes to what matters.
To figure out what to say No to, assess each item on your list and calendar and figure out what things you do out of joy and which you do out of peer pressure. Which things are fulfilling and which are draining? Which things are necessary and which are optional?
NOT EVERYTHING IS NECESSARY.
Yes, I mean that.
It is possible to delegate or pass on things that do not serve the person you’re trying to become. It is possible to say No to people or things you’ve said Yes to before.
Knowing what to prioritize and what to ditch comes down to knowing your values and how your Highest Self would be spending their precious time.
If you find yourself frustrated at how busy you are and how it seems like you never have enough time to do what you want to do, take note of what you daydream about - and if you don’t already daydream, try it! When you’re frustrated at not having the time, take a step back and think about what you would do if you did have the time. Maybe you would spend more time in the park with your pup or maybe you’d read more books or perhaps you’d travel more.
Wanting to change your schedule and change the amount of time you have will require you to have an awareness of how you would rather be spending your time. If you don’t have an idea of what you’d rather do but you know that what’s happening now isn’t working, get an idea. Or nothing will change and you’ll just keep repeating the same cycles over and over and over. The goal is more fulfillment, remember that.
When in major doubt of what to cut out and what to keep, go cold turkey and say No to EVERYTHING but the bare essentials. Give yourself time to get lost and rest and get antsy and bored and then stick it out a little longer before starting - very slowly - to say Yes to things again that you think might bring you joy.
Treat each Yes as an experiment and not as a final ruling on what you’ll say Yes to for the rest of forever. Saying Yes to drinks with friends may reveal that a Yes to this friend is enlivening and leaves you feeling inspired while a Yes to that friend leaves you depleted and tired. Take note of this, don’t judge yourself or the other person, but use that data in your next Yes Assessment.
Time is not infinite and the greatest illusion we live with, is that it is. Being deliberate about how you’re spending your days will ensure you’re living a deliberate life.
How are you spending your life right now?
If you want a new perspective and some help in carving out more time for yourself, schedule a session today.
