You Time

24 hours, 1440 minutes, 86400 seconds, however you slice it, there is more than enough time in a day for you to carve out some of it for yourself. DO IT!

With so many things, ideas, people, projects etc. vying for our time and energy, we need to give ourselves space for ourselves. We can’t be anything for anyone or anything else if we’re not taking care of ourselves first. It’s invaluable and will make dedicating effort and time to other aspects of life more worthwhile. Everyone has their own lifestyle and approaches, but whatever it is that helps you keep balance and refuel, do it and do it often.

I’m quite introverted yet very personable and am often active and busy. Because of this, I try dedicating time every day to recharge and re-center without any external distractions, interruptions or influences. This notion of “Keith Time” is something that I began when I first started working full time and was in graduate school.  There never seemed to be enough hours in the day, and I needed to get a grip on my time and life before I burnt out or worse.

The former which ultimately happened, but more as a result of trying to do too much at once and trying to to be everything for everybody– we’ll save the importance of balance for another time…back to You Time).

The time of day, length of time and approaches vary by the year, season, and commitments of the time, but the premise is unchanging, at least once a day I set time aside for myself, no questions asked.

Understanding that I’m more productive and invigorated in the morning, I tend to dedicate the first waking periods of my day to this cause, setting the foundations for the remainder of the day.

Currently, “Keith Time” looks something like this:

• Phase 1: ABC (All Bout’ Crump)
  • This first phase, there is minimal, if any engagement with technology and nothing external is given my attention or time.
    • Wake up circa 5AM, meditation (10-15mins)
    • Outside walk/light stretch (15-30 mins – weather permitting).

• Phase 2: A Little Better Everyday
  • The second phase varies depending on the day and other obligations, but generally consists of self improvement approaches with things that are of interest to me.
    • Yoga, full stretch series and/or workout (30mins – 90mins)
    • Mental preview for the day ahead.
    • Kick start day!

I also try to give myself an additional 30-60 minutes throughout the day for leisurely reading, but still working on rebuilding that habit better. I shifted reading out of my AM routines in efforts to focus more on being in tune with the present through meditation and yoga.  #alwaysaworkinprogress

Again, these approaches and methods are what currently work for me and align with my interests and current lifestyle. I’m very aware this may also be completely uninteresting to someone else. The hope here is not to push any one agenda or approach, but to emphasize; giving yourself the space and time to treat yourself daily, whatever it is for you.

Your time is limited, own it.