1. The New Finding Time Boundary Template:
9 Simple, Sequential Steps to Find More Time
and Recharge Your Energy!
By Paula Eder, Ph.D.
Finding Time
http://www.findingtime.net/
http://www.findingtime.net Finding Time Boundary Template
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2. The New Finding Time Boundary Template:
9 Simple, Sequential Steps to Find More Time
and Recharge Your Energy!
By Paula Eder, Ph.D.
Think of time as a basket. Each day, like a basket, can only hold so much.
Spillover creates stress, mistakes and disappointment. Developing boundaries is
the art of keeping what's important to you in the basket by keeping what's less
important out.
Using The New Finding Time Boundary Template, you will develop skills and
strengths to eliminate the spillover.
And there's a bonus. When you put these strengths to use as you make your
time choices, you will feel better at the end of the day than you ever thought
you could! Why?
Each time you create a clear, realistic boundary:
• You claim more positive control over your time.
• Your self-esteem and sense of personal power grows.
• You clarify your relationships with others.
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3. • You align your time choices with your values.
Boundaries make your life work better
The better you understand boundaries, the more you can put them to work for
you. Quite simply, each time you set a boundary, you define what you will or will
not do. You also assert what you will and will not tolerate in terms of demands
upon your time and space. So really, in developing a boundary, you're setting a
limit. You're deciding what goes out and what stays out of your basket of time,
every day of your life. This is how you 'make' time for what matters the most.
Setting Boundaries for Yourself: You Hold All the Power…
You exert great power over your life when you set boundaries for yourself. If you
are easily distracted, this may be hard to believe! But learning how to set and
maintain these boundaries will put this power in your hands. Because all the
power to make these boundaries effective rests within you, we also call these
internal boundaries.
Focus can be developed by anyone who becomes self-referenced. And internal
boundaries are tools to build self-reference.
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4. 1. Your internal boundaries help protect your priorities
Internal boundaries require no cooperation from others. Each time you
consciously limit an activity, you successfully establish an internal boundary.
It may not always be easy for you to maintain, and you may experience
internal conflict or resistance. But it is relatively simple, because you exercise
total control over internal boundaries. It is your choice! With practice and the
willingness to establish firm priorities, you'll develop the focus you need to
maintain your internal boundaries.
2. Internal Boundaries strengthen your relationship with yourself
Maintaining internal boundaries gives you power to use time in a way that’s
consistent with your values. You can be authentic with yourself and give
yourself what you need. Ultimately, you are creating a way to make and keep
a promise to yourself. And the more you look to yourself, the less you give
your power away to others.
One of the notable benefits of a template is that filling it out and using it step
by step concretizes the change you want to bring about. If you are used to
skimming material, print this out, use it and experience how powerful this
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5. time management tool can be to put you in charge of your life. It works if
you work.
The New Finding Time Boundary Template -
Internal Boundaries
1. List activities you'd like to limit that are completely within your
control.
For example, the time you spend flipping through catalogs.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. Describe one boundary you want to create.
Write it down. To facilitate your success, make this boundary one you are
highly motivated to maintain.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. No beginning is too small.
Identify the first step you want to take to begin creating this boundary for
yourself. Make sure it is a manageable one for you. For example, reading
catalogs: limit your reading time to four days a week. Gradually decrease the
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6. time you spend reading catalogs to what's optimal. Build on each success by
validating the time you've saved.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
4. Structure your environment for success.
One option might be to set aside a basket to toss all interesting catalogs into
as soon as they arrive. And set the recycling basket for paper right next to it!
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
5. Reward yourself.
Give yourself something to look forward to and work towards. For example,
spend some of the time you save on a pleasurable pastime you feel really
good about! Rewarding yourself consistently is a powerful way to reinforce
your new behavior.
Reward possibilities: ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
6. 'Catch' backslides with compassion.
Notice any of your 'sticking points' with friendly curiosity, not judgment. For
example, do you read catalogs more often when you really wish you were out
with friends? What happens prior to reverting to old habits? Take this
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7. opportunity to get to know yourself better. Then identify how your old
patterns work against you.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
7. Create a fast track back.
Brainstorm how to support yourself when you backslide. Envision your ideal
coach, and then be that coach for yourself!
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
8. Fine-tune your boundary.
Modify your boundary in whatever ways enhance your chance for success. If
a full array of catalogs is too tempting to pass up, limit yourself to 2-3
favorites. Set your catalog storage basket, along with your recycling basket,
out of easy reach.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
9. Schedule friendly check-ins.
Checking in with yourself periodically helps you assess how well your new
boundary is working, and enables you to integrate lessons - a cornerstone of
self-reference.
• How consistently do you maintain this boundary?
_______________________________________________________________
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8. _______________________________________________________________
• What changes in your life as you practice this boundary?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
• Will modifying the boundary increase its effectiveness? If so, how?
_______________________________________________________________
Bonus Tip #1: Build on your success.
Review your list to select another boundary to establish. Then repeat the
process.
_______________________________________________________________
Bonus Tip #2: Celebrate yourself.
Validating yourself consistently for successes of any size helps you in 3 ways:
• Positive reinforcement is your most important ally in keeping on track.
• When you keep the promise you made to yourself, you build self-trust,
and that’s something to celebrate.
• Affirming and rewarding yourself feels good, and this will always energize
you.
So when you experience success with your boundary, take time to celebrate
(and record it in your Reward Log)!
Reward log:
_______________________________________________________________
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9. _______________________________________________________________
I hope you find this template helpful, and wish you the very best of success
in finding time for what matters most to you! I invite you to visit my site
http://www.findingtime.net/ to learn more about Finding Time.
And for even more time thoughts and techniques, visit our blog at
http://www.thetimefinder.com.
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