I get a small burst of joy when people cancel things.

Even things I was looking forward to. I rarely experience disappointment, and I’m never annoyed.

Why? Because I always have the thought “Ooh! What else do I get to do.”

BUT I used to never enjoy that time.

I would either spend it (a) being productive because I thought that was the thing I SHOULD do or (b) thinking about how I should “make the most of” the unexpected free time by doing something fun or exciting or relaxing or (c) thinking that the other person “shouldn’t” have done that. Or some combo. 

That immediately took the joy out of “getting the time back.”

Two things that helped me actually enjoy this time:

Having a list in my head of things I will do if I have some free time.

Asking myself this: How can I use this time to best serve me right now?

The second question is key. And it depends on my priorities for the week or the day.

Sometimes the answer is resting.

Sometimes the answer is doing some work that I have scheduled later in the day or week so that I can shift the free time to different spot.

Sometimes the answer is adding in something that feels good.

There isn’t a right answer. The real difference is that I make an immediate decision about what I’m going to do with that time (BECAUSE there isn’t a right answer), and then I don’t beat myself up about that decision.

But how can you not beat yourself up about “wasting time”?

By acknowledging that there is no such thing as wasted time. The idea that time can be wasted is a thought. One you don’t have to subscribe to.

There are going to be a million different opinions about how you should spend your time. What you consider a waste of time, someone else considers a brilliant use of their time.

The only fact is that you spent your time doing something and not something else. You get to decide that you never waste time. That you always spend it exactly how it should be spent.

A ❤️ note to you: If you worry about wasting time and then end up spending time in ways you don’t like, I’ve got you. I can help with that. Send me an email or schedule a free call with me at jenndealcoaching.as.me/consulting.