Daylight savings has ended and for a little while I can enjoy that the mornings are light again. I have to admit though, the changing perspective messes with my head. This week I want to talk about managing time and expectations.

Time issues have been showing up for me in many strange ways. Being late, (even forgetting oops!), being early (3 weeks too early!), time flying by too fast. I’m grateful I’m not one of those for whom time drags. I’ve learned to schedule my time with plenty of white spaces ie breathing time, room for the unexpected and preparation for the next appointment. I’ve also learned, the hard way, that back to back appointments don’t work. Things don’t always go as expected!

A few things I’ve learned in managing time expectations:

• Check my calendar and confirm the time place details well in advance my memory is not always reliable.
• Confirm the appointment the day before – a reminder prompt helps them to prepare too
• Check the route and parking availability beforehand eg by asking when I make the appointment. And sometimes public transport is the way to go.
• Make a phone call when I know I’m going to be late. This means productive use of the unexpected time available or an opportunity to reschedule
• Others will be delayed re-schedule the appointment or reschedule the day’s tasks
• Have something that can be done in the event of small delays eg the mundane chores (filing), confirm an appointment, a quick phone call follow-up, a coffee break
• Breath when it all goes pear-shaped – things happen, changes can be made.

Things don’t always go to plan. I do what I can to prepare and manage the time. And when I get really upset I’ve learned it’s about managing the expectations. With that done and laughing at myself again, I can refocus and move on.

 

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