- ABC of Mental Health
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- Time Management
Hello! Welcome to this edition of the ABC of Mental Health, your partner in the journey to well-being—one newsletter at a time. This week, we’re diving into the theme of Time Management, a skill that goes beyond calendars and to-do lists to help you live a balanced and fulfilling life.
If you enjoy this read, share the newsletter with your sibling(s) via WhatsApp today 🙂🌈💌
One relevant recommendation:
Try the 2-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This small habit helps you tackle procrastination and keeps your workload from piling up. For example, reply to that email, put away the dishes, or make a quick to-do note. Over time, these small wins add up to significant progress.
Two quotes on Time Management and Self-Balance:
William Penn, an English philosopher, reflects on how we value time:
"Time is what we want most, but what we use worst."
Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, highlights the importance of intentionality:
"The key is in not spending time, but in investing it."
Three TherapyShorts from TST
Align Your Time with Your Values: Aligning your time with your core values can allow you to view time management as a meaningful tool to enhance the quality of your life. When our actions mirror our values, even the day-to-day tasks we complete become more fulfilling. Therefore, it is crucial to spend time on what truly matters to you. For example, if family is a priority, dedicate intentional time for conversations or activities with loved ones. Moreover, avoid switching between tasks as it disrupts our focus and increases cognitive load, leading to more mistakes and slower task completion. By focusing on one task at a time, you can complete each task more thoroughly and with greater quality.
Learn to Say No: Time is finite, and overcommitting can lead to stress and burnout. Saying no doesn’t mean rejecting others or opportunities, but rather protecting your time and energy for what truly supports your goals and well-being. It helps with staying true to your priorities, preventing overwhelm and burnout. For instance, instead of attending a social event you’re not excited about, choose a quiet evening for self-care.
Build Rest Into Your Schedule: Productivity isn’t about doing more, but about doing more of the right things, at the right time, with the right energy. Building rest into your schedule is key to sustaining productivity over the long haul. This could mean scheduling a 10-minute walk during your workday, taking a lunch break without screens to reconnect with yourself, or incorporating a relaxing evening ritual that helps you unwind. Balanced energy is the key to sustained productivity.
A QUESTION?
What’s your biggest time management challenge?
Staying focused
Prioritising tasks
Saying no to distractions
Balancing work and personal life
Our most popular answer last week for the question what activity from your childhood would you love to try again now was… *(drumroll please)* - playing a sport/game.
Love and light,
The Social Therapist
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