Guilt Free Time For Me

You NEED time for yourself! You need time where you can clear your mind, refill, refresh and recharge. But when and how do you actually get to take it with your busy schedule and so many demands on your time? And how can you really feel good about taking it, without feeling guilty?

A friend of mine put this post on Facebook last week:

“I miss friend time. I really need to figure out how to balance all of my responsibilities in a way that will allow me to spend time with friends again.”

She’s balancing being a wife, a great mom to her four children, running a successful business from her home office and juggling all of the household responsibilities.

So when you’re juggling all of the things you have on your lists, what gives? Usually time for yourself is last on the list. My friend, like many of us, craves time for herself and time with her friends.

The biggest gift you can give yourself, your family and your business is to take time for YOU. It is not an option, it is MANDATORY! You can’t do it all and do it well unless you take REALLY good care of Y.O.U.  It is a non-negotiable!  Here are a couple of tips on HOW you can do just that:

• Schedule it! Make an appointment with yourself and make sure you keep it. Put it on your calendar as a recurring appointment. Pick a day and time that works best and schedule everything else around it.

• List activities. Make a list of the things you want to do with your time that are enjoyable for you:
  • Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner with a friend
  • A walk on the beach or in the park
  • Read a book for pleasure outside somewhere
  • Get a manicure, pedicure or massage
  • Go shopping, alone!

• Make others aware. Let your spouse, children and others know that you will be taking this time for you and for them.  When you’re happy, everyone is happier!

• No interruptions.  This is your time. This is DO NOT DISTURB time. You let your family know that unless it is an emergency (i.e.: there is blood, broken bones or fire) that you aren’t to be disturbed during your

• ME Time. And you have to honor it also. Don’t be tempted to answer your phone, look at texts or emails.

• NO GUILT! Once you make the decision to take this time for you, there is no guilt allowed.

Now, go open up your calendar, schedule your time, make your list and plan your first date with yourself.

Please share what you will be doing with YOUR guilt free time to inspire others with ideas for their lists in the comments below.

Rebecca Garcia is a Certified Business and Life Coach, coaching women entrepreneurs in business, life and faith.  For more time management tips to ensure extra time for your “Guilt Free Time for Me”, sign up to receive your free gift of 10 Time Management Life &Work Balance Success Tips for Busy Entrepreneurs by going to www.rebeccagarcia.com

©2013 Rebecca Garcia, Coaching & Consulting Services, www.rebeccagarcia.com