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Your Time: Focus on Joy, Cultivate Optimism & Align with your Mission.
Manage Your Time Wisely: Focus on Activities that Bring Joy, Cultivate Optimism, and Align with Your Mission
by Victor Perton
Life is a never-ending game of balancing acts. You need to put in the hours at work, but at the same time, you crave enough time to exercise, read a book, or unwind. You've probably come across those people who always seem so calm, composed, optimistic, joyful and unrushed, and it's no surprise that they're the ones you gravitate towards.
But how do they do it? How do they manage to have enough time to spare? That's the big question.
Dadi Janki, a wise and inspiring Brahma Kumari leader who lived to the remarkable age of 103, once shared a powerful way to prioritise commitments. It all starts with a simple question: "What would God say if he was looking over my shoulder?" Then, by taking a step back and assessing our daily and long-term plans through a higher lens, we can gain clarity on what truly matters and what may be holding us back.
One practical application of this mindset is when receiving invitations. Dadi Janki's advice to me in the 1990s still resonates today: if the commitment will bring you great Joy or advance the causes of organisations and people you love, admire, or support, say yes. If it's something you must do, the answer is clear. And for everything else? It's a waste of time and thought. Say no.
To ensure I stay on track with my priorities, I dedicate ten minutes each morning to review my daily commitments and focus on what truly matters. These life lessons from Dadi Janki genuinely changed my approach to time management, and I hope they can be just as impactful for you.
It is too easy to fall into the trap of being too busy, caught up in the whirlwind of everyday life. We rush from one task to another, always in a hurry, constantly feeling overwhelmed by the endless to-do list that never seems to get any shorter. But what if I told you that taking a few minutes each day to think and reflect could make all the difference?
Imagine going for a leisurely walk, finding a peaceful spot in a nearby park, or sitting on a bench to enjoy the beauty of nature. Meditating for one minute an hour—some watches, like the Apple watch, helpfully vibrate a reminder to take a minute. These moments of stillness can help clear your mind, reduce stress and frustration, and give you the mental space you need to see through the static of daily life.
Adding Joy to Your Day Can Sometimes Only Take Minutes
To cultivate optimism and reduce procrastination, it's essential to focus on small, joyful activities throughout your day. Simple actions like enjoying a beautiful sunset, laughing with friends, or having a meaningful conversation can create powerful moments of Joy.
Optimism expert Professor Lewina Lee notes that optimistic people are better at viewing their daily experiences positively, which enhances their capacity to experience Joy. This positive outlook enables them to handle life's challenges more effectively and maintain a sense of agency.
Reducing procrastination and managing time effectively can significantly enhance your Joy and optimism. Research shows that an optimistic outlook improves life satisfaction and leads to better time management.
Listening to the Best Thing in People's Day is Time Wisely Spent
One effective way to foster optimism and Joy is by changing how we greet each other. Instead of the usual "How are you?" which often elicits a mundane response, try asking, "What's been the best thing in your day?" This question can lead to uplifting conversations and help both the asker and the responder focus on positive aspects of their day.
When people share the best part of their day, it brings them Joy and spreads positivity to others. This practice has been successful in various settings, including workplaces, schools, and even prisons, where it has helped build a more optimistic and supportive environment.
Add Optimism to Your Daily Routine
In Part 3 of my book, "Optimism: The How and Why," you'll find inspiration and encouragement to help you cultivate this kind of stillness in your daily routine. Whether at home, work, or anywhere else, reading and reflecting on these pages can help you feel more grounded, centred, and more at peace.
I remember a workshop I once ran in a prison. One of the inmates told me he had been inspired to attend after his cellmate had adopted meditation, a gratitude journal, and sharing a page from this book a day. Despite the seriousness of his crime, he found comfort and hope in the words he listened to daily, and we can all benefit from this kind of inspiration.
So, whether you're facing a life sentence or simply trying to navigate the challenges of everyday life, please take a few moments each day to read and reflect on the words of Part 3 of the book. Open the book to a random page, highlight the passages that inspire you, and share them with others who may need a dose of optimism and inspiration in their own lives.
Practical Steps to Cultivate Optimism and Manage Your Time Wisely
- Start Your Day with Positivity: Begin each day with a positive affirmation or a moment of gratitude. If you are an early riser, watch first light and thrill in the colours of the dawn. This sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
- Prioritise Joy and Mission: Focus on tasks that align with your mission and bring you Joy. Watch those "diary" invitations: if the commitment will bring you great Joy or advance the causes of organisations and people you love, admire, or support, say yes. If it's something you must do, the answer is clear. And for everything else? It's a waste of time and thought. Say no. Use the question from Dadi Janki: "What would God say if he was looking over my shoulder?" to assess the importance of each task.
- Set Realistic Goals: Break your tasks into smaller, manageable goals. This will help you stay motivated and see progress.
- Create a Balanced Schedule: Allocate time for work, exercise, relaxation, joy and social activities. A balanced schedule prevents burnout and keeps you motivated.
- Practise Meditation and Yoga: Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing, or simply taking a few moments to pause and reflect. Watching the sunrise or sunset has been an uplifting human habit for hundreds of thousands of years, helping to reduce stress and increase focus
- Look out for the Joy - smell the roses.
- Read an Affirmation or Quote on Optimism every day.
- Reflect and Adjust: At the end of each day, take a few minutes to reflect on what you accomplished and what needs improvement. Then, adjust your plans for the next day accordingly.
Integrating these practices into your daily routine allows you to manage your time more effectively, reduce procrastination, and cultivate an optimistic outlook. This enhances your productivity and brings more Joy and fulfilment into your life.
What are your thoughts on this approach? How do you see this fitting into your current plans?
Habits of an Optimist
During the COVID lockdown, Noirin Mosley, Jenny Boymal, and I developed an animated program called "The Habits of an Optimist." Our ideas on the practice and value of the habits have continued to develop, and we commend trying any of these for a week:
- Smile and Say Hello: Start your day with a genuine smile and greet everyone you meet.
- Infectiously Optimistic Greetings: Use cheerful greetings like "What's the best thing happening for you?"
- Laugh More: Laughter boosts your immune system and reduces stress.
- Ask "What Makes Me Optimistic?": Regularly reflect on and write down what makes you optimistic.
- Ask Others What Makes Them Optimistic: This can lift your spirits and theirs.
- Practise Gratitude: Actively thank people and keep a gratitude journal.
- Think Like an Optimist: Challenge negative thoughts and focus on positive outcomes.
- Daydream and Visualise: Visualise your best possible self and future.
- Use the Language of Optimism: Incorporate positive words and phrases into your speech and writing.
- Write, Share, and Display Positive Affirmations: Regularly write and share positive affirmations.
- Manage Your Time Wisely: Focus on activities that bring joy, cultivate optimism, and align with your mission.
- Surround Yourself with Optimistic People: Spend time with people who boost your optimism.
- Reduce Reliance on Negative News: Limit exposure to negative news and seek out positive stories.
- Share Stories of Hope and Optimism: Actively share positive and hopeful stories with others.
- Forgive and Forget: Let go of grudges and focus on positive aspects.
- Learn Continuously: Embrace lifelong learning and stay curious.
- Be Compassionate: Show kindness and understanding to others.
- Do Some Yoga: Engage in yoga to improve optimism and mental and physical well-being.
- Meditate: Practise meditation to cultivate a calm and positive mindset.
- Seek Out Activities That Bring You Joy: Actively participate in activities that make you happy.
- Do Someone Else a Favour: Perform acts of kindness to boost your and others' positivity.
- Accept That the World is Chaotic: Embrace the chaos and find stability within yourself.
- Go to Beautiful Places: Get out into nature and breathe in the fresh air and beautiful vistas.
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