Isn’t it amazing? We were all led to believe that this technology stuff would automate systems and streamline our lives so that we had more time ... and so, who has more time?

Although we love the way technology is help­ing us move at the speed of light for the price of a local phone call, we have yet to see our day to day lives slow down …

Here’s the real deal. I'll bet there will never be enough time to be, or to do, all that we think we would like to get completed. Its not like time is a commodity that is available only to the Trump's or the Michael Jordan's of the universe. We all get the same equal measurement of time in a day to which we try to accomplish those things we focus on that create “our lives”.

For the sake of self-esteem, health, and a stab-at-life balance, let's look at a few of the possibilities that can make the next mil­lennium more satisfying, less guilt-ridden and more fulfilling than the previous year.

Here are some helpful strategies that may help us stay "locked" onto the big picture.

1. Begin with: “The Big Rock” Theory: Dr. Stephen Covey in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, quotes a story of a professor teaching a class about the place­ment of rocks in a glass container. It is emi­nently much easier to place big rocks into the container, followed by little rocks, sand and finally water, than trying to reverse the pro­cess. When designing your life, decide what your "big rocks" are, and schedule them as designated time slots or days in your annual calendar. Accomplish this by beginning with the end in mind. Work from the end of the upcoming calendar year and then …

2. Work backwards: Simply block out the days of the year that you have marked with your big priorities, or "big rocks". The process will take some personal searching as to what you give high priority to these days. Placing priority days for those important things in life minimizes the possibilities of the "no-time-­for-it" excuse.

3.  Plug in the days for specific events: This is the place to schedule all those many things that you have whined that you've never had time for. Take this opportunity to pencil in those things that you want to add to your life. It could be a quarterly "meet a good friend for lunch" day. Include a day a month for personal grooming and doctor's visits. Don't over look a regular, quarterly "self-improvement" day for special semi­nars or courses you have been meaning to begin.

4. Schedule a “Date night”: Your personal relationships will benefit by choosing a regular weekly “date-night” to spend with your significant other. This is not to be confused with a regular weekly “family” night, where the family enjoys dinner and time together. Statistics show that it takes a minimum of 2 ½ quality hours of face to face time a week to keep a relationship nurtured.

5. Plug in a quarterly “chill-out” day for yourself: If Edison, Ford, Firestone, Carrel and Lindberg allowed for creative time, so can you. Decide ahead of time what you would like to do with yourself that special day.

6. If you break your body, where will you live?: We can't seem to get in our daily 30 minutes of exercise, and yet we succumb to hauling around an extra 10-20 pounds ev­ery minute we are alive, draining our energy and impairing optimum proficiency. Make a pact with yourself that from this point for­ward to choose to be healthy and fit for the rest of your life.

7. Control the only thing you can: Did you ever notice that the people we envy the most are those individuals that seem to "have it all"? They never seem to have a bad hair day, their cars are immaculate and their homes are interestingly appointed rich in character, interest and comfort. In addi­tion, they seem to have limitless energy and a great attitude to match. If you are like most of us, you secretly wish you knew their "se­cret" or write them off as not being  “real”. The truth is they are loaded with integrity and self-esteem because they have taken control of themselves first, and then are much more able to roll with the punches that life seems to throw their way. It just makes plain sense to control ourselves, and not the world around us.

We can't control the weather, but we can choose to work out at a club or walk in a mall, instead of blowing off the walk because it is too cold or too hot. It may be impos­sible to count on our customers, husbands, colleagues or children to be on time, but we make the choices to wait and feel victimized, feeling frustrated, wasting the time or having an alternative plan.

Instead of being envious of those "togeth­er" types, give yourself permission to enjoy those things you covet.

The concept is simple -- you are only in control of you, so start the process by defin­ing what you want, where you want to go, and what it will take to accomplish the new objective and define the time and space re­quired to make it happen.

Make the choice to live life to its fullest. Ignore the early recordings of parents and teachers that said you couldn't "have" that because they couldn't see themselves wor­thy or “entitled”.

There is no need to feel like the "good" life belongs to the rich and famous. You can have your share and more with a little plan­ning and discipline ... the choice is yours and yours alone. Just know that when it's "game" over, you did everything you wanted to do and more, your way.

© Terri Murphy. All Rights Reserved.  

© Terri Murphy. All Rights Reserved.