Time Is Valuable Y'all

The last few months have been quite interesting. I realized how much I value and swear by my schedule. This summer I ended up with a few unexpected weekends off, which is not what I am used to. I personally don't take more than one or two weekends off in the summer. I definitely do not take long weekends off but I prioritized other things over business this year. However, there were cancellations and/or rescheduling of plans. Things happen, that is life! Basically, I came to the conclusion that I do not know what to do with time off. I haven't figured out how to turn off and actually relax yet. So, learning how to do so is one of my new goals.

My weekends are often occupied with clients that book months to a year in advance. Scheduling clients in is always my priority, my personal schedule comes in second. I like it that way. It can be exhausting since it's scheduled around my full-time job, but my business is my baby. 'She' requires a lot of my attention. Lol. In this case, my time is literally dedicated for growth of my business and revenue.

This year, while speaking to my fellow entrepreneurs friends I was reminded of how much we value not only our time but everyone else's as well. While I was getting my friend ready for her birthday, she said something that resonated with me. She said how much she appreciates the fact that others took the time out of their days to either text her, call her, show face for a few minutes and/or attend her birthday party dispite being so busy with their own lives. I couldn't agree more. I literally schedule friends into my calendar weeks to months in advance so I can put aside a substantial amount of time to see them and catch up.

Another fact I have come to realize is that I have little to no tolerance for the lack of respect of other's time. I believe once you agree to something, you are committing to it. I think of it as a verbal agreement. If you know you are unable to do so, you should simply say no. Unforeseen circumstances do come up.  It's this weird "keep your word" thing. I think this perspective has come from being around so many people that prioritize their businesses and work over anything else. I don't think that is necessarily wrong, but this can also be so restricting. Where is the time to be spontaneous? How does one let go scheduling everything in their life and just go with the flow?

These few months have taught me that my schedule may not always be fully in my control. However, if plans get cancelled, I can still find a way to make my time productive. I have a small piece of advice for myself and the fellow folk that live by a schedule that end up with unexpected time off. We can spend that time catch up on things we are too tired to do during the week, schedule in some self care OR be spontaneous enough to go on an adventure whether it be solo or with friends/family.

I am always wondering what other's thoughts are on scheduling their lives in so well in advance or having no set schedule at all. 

(^ living my best life in Santa Marta, Colombia - unscheduled and peacefully)