Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get to your fitness goals, let alone everything else? You’re not alone. We often talk about “managing our time” better, but here’s an important realization a successful coach and entrepreneur recently shared with me: you can’t actually manage time.
Think about it. Whether you’re dominating your professional responsibilities, spending quality time with your kids, or even just scrolling through your phone, the clock ticks at the exact same rate. Time is constant. What isn’t constant, and what you do have control over, are your behaviors.
When you master your behaviors, that’s when you feel like you’re in the driver’s seat of your day, making real progress, especially with your fitness.
So, how can you take ownership of your time on Earth?
Be Ruthless with “Yes” and “No”
Every “yes” in your mind or out of your mouth means saying “no” to something else. For busy parents with demanding jobs, this is crucial. If an invitation or request doesn’t align with your personal, professional, or fitness goals, it’s probably a “no.” This might mean occasionally skipping a fun, but ultimately distracting, activity.
Why?
Because the satisfaction of moving closer to your goals is often far more rewarding.
Prioritize What Matters Most – Discipline is Key
Discipline isn’t about being rigid; it’s about consistently choosing what serves your long-term well-being.
- Sleep: When I get enough sleep, I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. When I stay up too late, even with my kids, the next day often feels like a slow-motion struggle. Adequate sleep is fundamental to having the energy for your favorite activities and staying focused on your goals.
- Fuel Your Body: A healthy diet and plenty of water are non-negotiable for peak performance. Trying to push through workouts dehydrated or with poor nutrition leads to a lot of effort, yet little progress.
- Movement Matters: Regular physical activity is essential for both your physical and mental health. Prioritizing your workouts and making consistent progress on your fitness journey will build momentum and confidence.
Plan Your Success
The difference between an aimless day and a productive one often comes down to a plan. When you take a few minutes to map out what you need to achieve, it’s far more likely to get done. I find that writing out my task list the night before helps me complete about 80% of what I set out to do, leaving me feeling accomplished.
Without a plan, days can feel scattered and unproductive.
Ultimately, it’s not about magically creating more time. It’s about being intentional with your actions.
By managing your behaviors – by carefully choosing what you say “yes” and “no” to, by being disciplined with your priorities, and by creating and executing a personal plan – you’ll gain a powerful sense of control and make meaningful progress toward more than just your fitness goals.