.
Our lives our busier than ever it seems.  We're involved in more, doing more and by virtue of that, are responsible for more.  Before we know it, that one precious gift we have, time, is being dwindled down to nothing and if we could even borrow from the "Bank of Time", we would!   Could you imagine the size of that loan?!!  But what is time?  Is there even such a thing as "time"?  We know time as it exists within our 24-hour day and our 365-day calendar year.  We mark the passing of time with anniversaries and birthdays so we know something is passing by.  But what exactly is it that is passing us by?  Is it something you have defined or something that has defined you?
 
For many, time is something that has defined us.  As life gets busier, we ask for more time thinking that is where the answer lies to getting everything done.  But what if we stopped for just a moment and looked at time from a new perspective?  What if you were to suddenly look at time as something you define?  Something you have control over?  We often try to match the pace that life presents to us.  When everything comes at us all at once, we react trying to get it all done at once.  When we crave rest and relaxation, we feel guilty for stepping back and not "staying in the race".      

God did not intend by any means for our lives to feel like a race.  In fact I once heard someone say, "God shows no favorites. He gave us all the same 24-hour day."  I love that because it is so true!  It's what we make of the time given to us not what time makes of us.  Once we can let go of the notion that we have to respond at the pace that life comes at us with, you'll find that time no longer defines you.  You start defining time and the energy and freedom that comes with that is life changing!  But the key is disciplining yourself to manage your day within your definition of time, not by how others think you should spend your time.  It's not easy because we live in a society where doing more and using every last second of each and every day is encouraged and expected.  But that is not the way to a better life.  Rather than serving your true purpose you become a slave to time and are left feeling tired, stressed and overwhelmed.  We've all been there. 
 
No one will give you permission to step back and start defining what time means to you - only you can do it.  Take a few moments at the beginning or end of each day and plan your next day.  Decide what is most valuable to you in terms of how you spend your time and honor that.  It's in those moments of doing what we truly enjoy that we are most inspired.  Give into that and let those inspirations energize you and carry you forward versus the ticking of a clock dragging you forward.  The ride will be much smoother and much more enjoyable!    
Action Steps
I don't know about you but I feel like the many hats we have to wear as a designer just keeps increasing!   There is so much changing in our industry and it's tough to stay on top of it all.  Don't feel like you need to.  Be aware of what's going on but don't try to be the expert in everything.  Give yourself quiet time each and every day to connect to your passion to design.  Flip through a shelter magazine, watch a design show or do some research online on a topic that really ignites your passion within the field of design.   Don't let time define you and take away the opportunity you have to connect with your passion.  

 

Identify the top three things you value most in terms of self-care and self-improvement and work them into your day.  Define your days not by how much you can get done but by where you are needed most and how can you best serve for that day.  The answers will come only when you get quiet.  Trust in knowing that those answers are divinely inspired and rest in knowing everything you are meant to accomplish that day will be done.