Let’s talk about mindset shifts for better time management. Now everyone always talks about time management strategies and planners and all sorts of things that are supposed to help you manage your time well. But what I don’t see talked about a lot in the time management and productivity space is mindset. 

I love planners, but what I found that really makes a difference in how I manage my day and how much I’m able to get done is my mindset around productivity. So today I want to talk about three important mindset shifts that I think make a major difference in how we manage our time and productivity. 

Setting Realistic Expectations

Let’s start by talking about expectations. This is one of the major issues I see all the time. We have these ridiculously long to-do lists with unrealistic expectations in how much we can actually get done in a day. 

A big way I’ve been able to combat this is to have a top three things to do each day. If I’m able to get those three things done, it’s going to be a successful day. And I try to keep those top three things focused around my goals. It really depends on the day, but that is the general direction I try to take.

With that being said, a lot of times people overestimate what they can actually get done in a day, myself included. So what I usually do is have a to-do list each day, but those top three are the things I focus on. And if I can’t get the other things done, it’s okay. I have the mindset that it’s okay if I don’t get everything done, I’m going to focus on my top priorities and go from there. 

Another area of expectation is that things have to be perfect and Pinterest or Instagram worthy. And if we’re always striving for that, it’s just never going to be enough. We always see the pretty side of the rooms on Instagram or Pinterest, but we don’t see the rest of the house and then expect our entire house to look perfect. That’s usually unrealistic, especially if you have little kids!

There’s usually going to be a bit of a mess at least somewhere. But having the mindset and expectations of it being tidy, but that it doesn’t have to look straight out of the magazine. It’s okay. 

There is Enough Time

The second part of a mindset shift around time management is about scarcity versus abundance. If we have the mindset that there is never enough time and we are always lacking time, then that’s how we’re going to feel and that’s going to be the place we come from when we manage our day.

But if we come from a place of abundance believing there is enough time to do what we need to do. Then that positivity will carry on throughout your day and you’re going to feel a lot better about what you do accomplish. When you come from a positive mindset that there is enough time for what truly matters, it can make a big difference.

You are in Control of Your Time

And finally, the last mindset shift is that you are in control of your time. Time doesn’t just happen to you. You are able to decide how you spend it. Everyone is given the same amount of time and how we choose to use it is up to us. Yes, we all have those important responsibilities. And there are things that we’d like to do, but what we have to do is evaluate our season carefully. 

This also goes back to expectations of what we can realistically accomplish and start plugging in your priorities from the very top. Another note on priorities is that those can change often. But look at in the season that you’re in, what needs to be your priority right now. 

So to recap, our three major time management mindset shifts is having realistic expectations, that there is enough time, and that you are in control of your time. I hope this gave you some aha moments and I would love to hear what you thought and what mindset shift you are going to tackle first!