The only problem

With haiku is that you just

Get started and then

 - Roger McGough

Ever feel like there’s not enough time to finish everything you’ve started?

Or there’s not enough space in your life to do everything you want to do?

I used to feel like this a lot.

But more recently, things have opened up.

At the moment, I’m working a full five day week in my banking job at Lloyds.  Some days I work from home at my kitchen table.  Most days I take a half hour stroll into the office near St Paul’s Cathedral.

Twice a week, side of desk, I’m running one hour Mindset Workshops for colleagues in my wider department.  26 people, from associates to Managing Directors, came along to last week’s workshops.

I’m balancing all this with writing my newsletter.  Most emails take at least an hour to write.  Some take three or four hours (need to get this down!)

I’m also coaching.  I’m working with three private clients right now, which means jumping onto Zoom calls on evenings & weekends.

Plus I’m finding the odd moment to keep writing my new book. 

So the “work” side of things is pretty full.

But that’s not all.

I’m also training for the Hackney Half Marathon in May, so I’m out running by the canal two or three times a week.

Plus I still make time to hang out with friends, family and Lauren.

Lauren and I were munching cheese & quaffing red wine in Toulouse last weekend, and we’re flying to Gdansk for a night soon.

So I’m still getting out and about.

And, of course, I’m finding time to kick back with a book and watch TV.  I’ve just finished One Blade of Grass by the Zen teacher and poet Henry Shukman.  And Lauren & I are on the second series of the cult British TV show Gavin & Stacey (for the second time if you will!).

Now here’s the thing:

I don’t think I’d have had anywhere near the capacity to juggle all this if I hadn’t learnt what I’ve learnt over the last 18 months.

In fact I know I wouldn’t.

I still remember my previous life which was dominated by work, the gym and the occasional trip to a pub or restaurant.

Other than that, all I had energy for was flopping onto the sofa or trying to get to sleep.  And trying to get back to sleep when I’d inevitably wake up at 3am with my head racing.

I’ve been kicking it around to see if I can figure out why my days are so much more packed now, yet still feel more spacious.

Ultimately I think this is why:

The percentage of my brain I now use for imaginary conversations, worrying about the future, thinking about work and trying to control what I can’t control has massively reduced.

Which means I have much more headspace and energy for all the things I want to do.

And even when I don’t get around to doing something, I don’t give myself shit for it any more.  I don’t judge myself or beat myself up for it like I used to.

Which, in turn, has freed up even more headspace.

Bottom line for me is this:

One of the biggest time & energy sucks is thinking about doing and thinking about thinking.

Rather than just doing.

And if you want to do more each day, grab hold of all the things you want from life and finish the things you start, then the key is seeing how thinking can get in the way.

Maybe these words alone are enough to get you springing into action.

But, more likely, they’re not.  More likely you can see the truth in these words, but applying them or knowing how to apply them is a whole other matter.

This is where my coaching comes in.

Coaching isn’t about sprouting clever sayings at you and hoping some of it sticks.  If what you want is pithy sayings, words of wisdom and more information, go pick up a copy of Atomic Habits.  

It’s a great read.

But if you're truly fed up of not having the time to do the things you want to do and you genuinely want this to change, coaching is the way to go about this.

It’s a process of guidance and exploration which can’t be replicated by reading words on a page.

Right now, a 3 session package with me is the no-brainer price of £150.

That all changes on Monday 11th March at 5pm UK time, when the price goes up to £500.

So this really is the last chance saloon.

To get in on the act before the cork goes back in the bottle:

https://bonanza.followingfulfilment.com

Have a great weekend.

 - Tom