What's YOUR Pocket of Time?Stop Fighting Your Schedule and Start Working With Yourself!
What's YOUR Pocket of Time?
Stop Fighting Your Schedule and Start Working With Yourself!
We all have 24 hours in a day.
I know, I know. You've heard that a million times!
But here's something I've been talking about a lot lately with my coaching clients.
It's not always about finding MORE time. Sometimes it's about figuring out when YOUR time works best for YOU!
Think about it.
Are you a morning person who wakes up ready to tackle the world? Or does your brain need a few hours (and maybe a couple of cups of coffee) before you're ready to accomplish anything?
Maybe you hit your stride in the afternoon. Or perhaps you're one of those people who gets a second wind in the evening.
We're all different, and that's exactly my point!
We each have pockets of time when our energy, motivation, and attention span are at their best.
The trick is figuring out when yours happens and learning to take advantage of it.
Let Me Give You an Example From My Own Life
I make salads for dinner quite often.
But here's the thing. I don't particularly want to stand in my kitchen at 5:30 in the evening chopping vegetables, washing lettuce, and getting everything ready.
By then, I've had a full day. I'm ready to wind down, not start another project!
So what do I do?
I make our dinner salads while I'm eating breakfast!
Yep, breakfast!
I'm already in the kitchen. I have the energy. My mind is fresh. And honestly, it takes very little effort to get everything chopped, assembled, and into the refrigerator.
When dinner rolls around, the work is already done.
No chopping. No excuses. No standing in front of the refrigerator wondering what we're going to eat.
Just grab the salads, add whatever else we're having, and dinner is that much easier.
Now, could I make those salads at 5:30? Of course!
But WHY would I choose to do something at a time when I know I have less energy and enthusiasm?
That's what I mean by finding your pocket of time!
Exercise Is Another Perfect Example
I know something about myself.
If I exercise first thing in the morning, it gets done.
Period.
I don't have to spend the rest of the day thinking about when I'm going to fit it in. I don't have to negotiate with myself. And I don't have to worry about something unexpected getting in the way.
It's simply part of my morning routine.
But here's where I want you to pay attention.
Just because mornings work for ME doesn't mean mornings are right for YOU!
Maybe you're someone who feels stiff and sluggish in the morning but has plenty of energy after work.
Wonderful! Use that time!
Maybe a walk during your lunch break clears your head and helps you get through the afternoon.
Perfect!
Or maybe you love an evening workout because it helps you transition from a busy day into your personal time.
That's great, too!
The best time to exercise isn't necessarily 6 a.m., noon, or 5 p.m.
It's the time that works for your body, your schedule, and your life.
And most importantly, it's the time you're most likely to actually DO IT!
Your Energy Is Just as Important as Your Schedule
Here's something I think we overlook.
We spend so much time organizing our schedules around the CLOCK that we forget to consider our ENERGY.
Think about the difference.
You might have an hour available at 7 p.m., but if you're mentally exhausted, that hour might not be the best time to plan meals, tackle a challenging project, or start a new exercise routine.
Meanwhile, you might have just 15 minutes earlier in the day when you're focused, motivated, and ready to go.
Which one do you think will be more productive?
Sometimes those 15 minutes are worth far more than that entire hour!
And there's a reason for this.
Our bodies operate on natural daily rhythms that influence alertness, energy, and concentration. Sleep, meals, activity, stress, and our individual body clocks all play a role.
Some of us naturally function better early in the day, while others are more alert later.
And even within our best hours, our energy can rise and fall.
The goal isn't to force yourself into someone else's schedule. It's to recognize your own patterns and use them to your advantage.
Stop Making Healthy Living Harder Than It Needs to Be!
Let's talk about something else.
How many times have you had great intentions, only to reach the end of the day and realize you didn't do what you planned?
You were going to exercise.
You were going to prepare something healthy for dinner.
You were going to pack tomorrow's lunch.
You were going to take a few minutes to relax.
But the day got away from you.
Sound familiar?
Here's my question.
Are you putting these things off until the time of day when you have the LEAST amount of energy?
If you know you're exhausted after work, why plan all your meal preparation for that time?
If evenings are when you want to relax with your family, why keep promising yourself that's when you'll exercise?
If your attention span is best in the morning, why save your most important tasks for late afternoon?
Sometimes we unintentionally set ourselves up to struggle.
Not because we're lazy.
Not because we lack willpower.
But because we're asking ourselves to do things at times that don't work particularly well for us.
And let's remember something I've said many times.
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to be complicated!
Sometimes it's simply about making a small adjustment that makes a big difference.
What Could You Do in Your Pocket of Time?
I want you to think beyond exercise and meal preparation.
There are so many ways to use those moments when your energy and attention are working in your favor.
Meal planning and preparation: Maybe Sunday mornings are your sweet spot. Or perhaps you have 15 minutes after breakfast to wash fruit, chop vegetables, or prepare tomorrow's lunch.
Physical activity: Find the time when movement feels enjoyable rather than like another obligation. And remember, it doesn't have to be an hour-long workout!
Grocery shopping: If shopping after work leaves you tired and making impulse purchases, could another time work better? Even placing an online grocery order during a quiet moment might make the week easier.
Planning your day: Maybe spending five minutes with your morning coffee reviewing your priorities helps you feel organized and less overwhelmed.
Self-care: When are you most likely to enjoy reading, meditating, stretching, or simply sitting quietly? Those activities deserve a place in your schedule, too.
Getting to bed: Sometimes the best use of an evening pocket of time is preparing for tomorrow and getting to bed a little earlier!
And here's another thought.
Not every pocket of time has to be productive.
Sometimes your body is telling you it's time to REST.
That's worth listening to, too!
Pay Attention to Yourself for a Few Days
Here's a little experiment I'd love for you to try.
For the next few days, notice when you naturally feel your best.
Ask yourself:
When do I have the most physical energy?
When is my mind the clearest?
When do I feel motivated to get things done?
When do I start losing steam?
What healthy habits am I consistently putting off?
Could I move one of those habits to a different time of day?
Don't overthink it!
You're simply gathering information about yourself.
And please don't confuse your pocket of time with having a perfectly open schedule.
You might have your best energy in the morning but also have a job, children, or other responsibilities that demand your attention.
That's real life!
The goal is to find opportunities within the life you actually have, not create some imaginary perfect schedule.
Maybe you can't exercise for 45 minutes in the morning, but you CAN get in 10 minutes of movement.
Maybe you can't prepare an entire dinner before work, but you CAN chop the vegetables.
A little preparation during the right pocket of time can make the rest of your day so much easier.
Here's My Challenge for You This Week!
I want you to identify ONE pocket of time when you feel focused, energized, or simply more willing to get something done.
Then choose ONE healthy habit that you could move into that time.
That's it!
Don't try to reorganize your entire life.
Just one habit.
Maybe it's exercise. Maybe it's meal preparation. Maybe it's planning your meals for tomorrow.
Try it for a week and see what happens.
Does it feel easier?
Are you more consistent?
Do you spend less time talking yourself into doing it?
And remember, your pocket of time might change depending on your work schedule, your sleep, your season of life, or even the day of the week.
That's OK!
The point is to work WITH yourself instead of constantly working AGAINST yourself.
One Last Thought...
After years of working with people on their health and wellness, one thing I know for sure is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
What works beautifully for one person might be completely unrealistic for someone else.
And that's why I believe so strongly in helping people find THEIR easiest way to health.
We don't need more rules telling us exactly when we should eat, exercise, plan, or prepare.
We need to understand ourselves a little better.
For me, that means making salads at breakfast and getting my exercise done first thing in the morning.
For you, it might look completely different.
And that's exactly how it should be!
So tell me... WHAT'S YOUR POCKET OF TIME?
When do you feel your best, and how could you use that time to make healthy living just a little easier?
I'd love to hear your answer!
Ready for Support?
If you’re ready to simplify your routine, clean things up, and finally build habits that stick…
💜 Visit AlwaysOnYourSideCoaching.com or book a consultation here: https://www.alwaysonyoursidecoaching.com/service-page/1-1-coaching-consultation
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I am Always On Your Side,
Coach Paris 💜💚
Helping you find your easiest way to health—because there is no one right way.
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