4/7/25: How to Take Control of Your 24 Hours

Time is valuable, but here’s the truth: we all get the same 24 hours. It’s not about having time—it’s about how you use it.  It is just a matter of how we choose to spend those 24 hours.  How many times have you heard “I don’t have time?” What I hear is, “this is not a priority.”  We make time for the things that matter and when you don’t have time, you are instead saying that that task isn’t a priority.  So how do you decide where your time goes? These are the exact tips I give my clients who say they struggle with time management.

First and foremost, you need to know what your priorities are.  Write these down if you need visual reminders but really take a little time to figure out what your top 3-5 priorities are.  For me, this is 1. Family, 2.  Friends, 3. Self-care, 4.  Business. Yours may be the same, they may not, but knowing what is important is the first step to spending your 24 hours. 

Once you know your priorities, they get first dibs in your day/week/month, in order of importance.  Sunday nights I spend a little time with my planner and the first thing that goes in is my family appointments and activities.  Family #1, family time gets priority. Next, I pop in time with friends.  I have a couple people whose time I genuinely value on a regular basis and I make sure to keep space for them.  You may feel like you have too much on your plate and your friends will understand if you can’t spend time with them, BUT if those relationships are important, make time!  Then I pop my self-care in there.  That does not have to be fancy.  Sometimes it’s a massage or a hair appointment, but a lot of times it is just allowing myself at least 20 minutes each day to ready. 

You might have noticed I left business out of the planner example. That’s intentional. My business happens when it makes the most sense—usually during the hours my family is at school or work. That doesn’t mean it’s not a priority. It means I’ve intentionally designed my schedule around my values. Evenings and mornings are family time. Summers, sick days, and holidays? Those are exceptions—but the rule is clear: boundaries create balance.

That brings me to my last point – always plan for the unexpected.  I am a super planner, but I am going to tell you, sometimes life has other plans.  A kid gets sick, you get sick, appointments change.  Be prepared to roll with the punches BUT do not let the unexpected derail the entire week.  A solid plan is the first step to success. Don’t wait for chaos to remind you what matters. Decide in advance. Protect your priorities. And remember—balance doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built, one intentional choice at a time.