Finding Time (Part 2)

Self-Observation
woman with watch

If working on your posture and your Use is truly important to you, there is no getting around the fact that you will have to think about it.

And that takes time.

I am not talking about large chunks of time, like half an hour. I’m talking short amounts of time. 10—20 seconds here, 10—20 seconds there.

I am not talking about occasionally, once in a while, maybe every other day. I am talking about consistently throughout the day. Many times a day.

Success comes from doing something consistently not occasionally.

I did some brainstorming after writing the post yesterday. In the last 24 hours, these are some of the times I was able to find time to bring some thought to my posture and my Use.

I found time while I was…

  • waiting in line to check my bag at the airport
  • waiting in line at the security line at the airport
  • waiting for the waiter to bring my credit card slip to sign in a restaurant
  • waiting for my luggage to arrive on the carousel in the baggage claim
  • waiting for the tram to arrive at the terminal
  • waiting for the train to arrive at the station
  • waiting at a busy intersection for the walk light to turn on (many times)
  • waiting for an elevator (numerous times)
  • waiting for my friend to come to the door after I had rung the doorbell
  • waiting to pay for a purchase in a store

When I did this exercise what struck me is how much waiting I do. This was an unusual day for me as I traveled to NYC from Minneapolis. But if I do this same brainstorming for an average day I will come up with just as many items on my list.

I hate to wait. But having to wait does provide me with the opportunity to work on my posture and Use.

Some of the things on my list may only amount to a few seconds of time. Others may amount to longer. But the more things on my list, the more time I can find. It is not about a lot of time all at once but small amounts of time repeatedly throughout your day.

Just remember that to find the time you usually have to choose not to do something else. If you are waiting (like all of my examples above) you can choose not to have an inner monologue about how long the elevator is taking. You can also choose (at least once in a while) not to whip out your smartphone to check for the latest Facebook posting or send one more e-mail.

Time does not magically appear by wishing for it. But if you have made something a priority in your life, like working on your posture and your Use you can find the time.

If you haven’t already, try brainstorming your own list. I’d love to hear what you come up with in the comments section.

Image: Jason Salmon/Shutterstock.

4 comments… add one

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  • Don Higdon October 21, 2015, 7:02 pm

    In Manhattan, it comes over me like a wave every time I get to the corner of Walk and Don’t Walk. They’re all over the place.

    Reply
    • Lauren Hill October 22, 2015, 9:53 am

      Thanks Don. You’re not kidding. Having just returned from the Big Apple just using the Walk/Don’t Walk lights provides you with so many opportunities to pay attention to yourself.

      Reply
  • Cyndy Krey October 26, 2015, 12:29 pm

    At work, my job is to answer email. I’ve discovered after I reply to each message, I can take 10-20 seconds to notice how I’m sitting (those points of contact).

    Reply
    • Lauren Hill October 26, 2015, 4:05 pm

      Thanks Cyndy for sharing yet another place to “find time”.

      Reply

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