Isn't it funny how time seems to fly by so much faster than it used to? When I was a child, my grandparents mentioned this all the time, but I really didn't begin to understand what they meant until I bacame an adult with responsibilities. Now entire months seem to pass in the blink of an eye and I wonder how I'm going to get everything on my "to do" list done, expecially some of the larger goals I've set.

It may sound crazy, but I have started doing less in order to get more done. What I mean is two things. First, I am doing less of things I don’t want to do. You know…attending wedding festivities for distant relatives, making business appointments with salesmen I never intend to buy from, reading every email chain letter I get, etc. Basically, I am saving my precious free time for things that are truly important, like calling a friend, spending time with my husband, or taking a break from work to enjoy a few minutes outside.

Secondly, I am taking the time to evaluate what is really important to me. Besides doing some self directed soul-searching and serious journaling, I’m using some questions posed in the book Slow Down: The Fastest Way to Get Everything You Want by David Essel to help set the course for the rest of my life.

Want to give it a try? Take a few minutes to consider the following questions. Be sure to write your answers down so you can add to and look over them later. Try to look beyond all the “should do” items to what your heart and soul truly desire.

What you would regret if you never accomplished or achieved it?

What are your most important goals?

What steps do you need to take achieve your goals? 

What are your greatest challenges? 

What are you thankful for? 

What gifts or talents do you possess?

Taking the time to slow down and examine even just a small corner of your life and what you hope to accomplish takes both time, courage and discipline. It can be a challenge to honestly discern what matters to you most and what you need to do to get it. But as someone once said, if you don’t know where you’re going, you probably won’t get there! Besides, if you are feeling down about not having what you want, taking time to acknowledge your talents and blessings will give you a more positive mindset. Live from your heart…love your life and everyone in it.