How to set boundaries
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Have you ever wished you could be in two places at once? Or… better yet – two TIMES at once? Well, hold on to your planners, because today I’m talking about the ultimate solution for better work/life balance – It’s called the It’s About Time Machine, and it’s your brand new, exciting time management tool that enables you to make the most of your time through time travel.
So today, we’re talking about
- The basics of time travel for busy professionals and business owners
- 3 can’t miss rules for smart time travel
- The best historical eras for brainstorming, breakfast and self-care
- How to deal if you don’t have your own time machine
Need to Time Travel? No Problem!
Picture this: A time machine, but designed specifically for us – busy professionals and business owners, driven in our careers, prioritizing family and friends, making our mark in our communities and creating our own versions of work/life balance.
The It’s About Time machine isn’t your typical sci-fi flashy gadget that you’ve seen in movies. This one has an unlimited snack dispenser, built-in coffee machine, and a mute button for your passengers when you just need 5 minutes to hear yourself think.
Let me tell you about some of the settings I’m most excited about.
Forget about going back a few centuries – this time machine has pre-programed buttons to take you straight to the “Pre-Kids Era”, “The Day Before That Big Deadline,” to “Relive Your Favorite Concert,” and the always tempting “Fast Forward to the End of That Meeting That Should Have Been an Email.” Want to zip ahead to a future where the laundry folds itself? We’ve got you covered.
But – before I let you loose on the best time management tool since Hermione’s Time Turner, here are a few important rules to keep in mind when using the It’s About Time Machine for the best results.
Rules of Time Travel
Rule Number 1: Always double check your destination date. You don’t want to accidentally end up in the Mesazoic Era when you’re just trying to skip the line at the grocery store. Imagine explaining to a T-Rex why you’ve got a cart full of snacks and no time to chat.
Rule Number 2: Try to avoid any era where your high school prom is happening. Trust me, seeing your teenage self is not the nostalgic trip you think it is. It’s a little more cringe than cute.
And Rule Number 3: If you borrow anything from the past, be sure to return it. We don’t need a butterfly effect where suddenly it’s trendy to wear Victorian Garb to happy hour.
Tips for Better Time Trave
Ok – so now that we’ve got the rules out of the way, here are some helpful tips for making the most of your time using time travel with the It’s About Time machine.
First, instead of wasting time making breakfast, pop back to the 60’s and ask Julia Child to poach a few eggs and whip up some Eggs Benedict.
Then, before you dive into a big project brainstorming session for work, head back to the Renaissance era and talk through your ideas with Leonardo Da Vinci or Michelangelo.
Imagine bouncing ideas with these legendary innovators! Then, Head back to the present with groundbreaking, artistic perspectives that shake up your entire industry. Who knew a little time travel could lead to the next big breakthrough in your field?
Finally, it’s time for some self-care. Why not unwind in Ancient Greece, or catch a play in Elizabethan England with front row seats at the Globe for the latest Shakespeare show, Romeo and Juliet.
Lessons from Time Travel
Okay – I think by now you’ve figured out that this episode went live on April 1st, 2024. And while we can’t really zip through time for a chef-prepared breakfast or some mediterranean self-care, there’s something we can learn about time management from every era.
Every time period had its own way of balancing life’s demands. From ancient philosophers who valued contemplation and introspection, to the Renaissance masters who blended art and science, there’s wisdom to be found in the way that people throughout history have managed their time.
So although the It’s About Time Machine isn’t a real thing… at least not yet… the lessons we can take from the past are very much real. And they remind us that, no matter the era, striking a balance in life is a challenge that spans across time.
Plus – imagine what could go wrong if we actually DID have access to a time machine.
Like… let’s say you decide to take a quick trip back to the 1920s to see what that Gatsby life was all about. You’re rocking a red flapper dress and your iphone falls out of your handbag while you’re dancing the Charleston. The next thing you know, you’ve accidentally invented the smartphone decades too early!
Or imagine checking out the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but you get a call from daycare letting you know one of your kids is running a fever. How would you explain that to the founding fathers?
And checking out the chariot races in Ancient Rome sounds fun until you realize that Google Translate doesn’t work without wifi and you don’t know a word of Latin.
As ridiculous as all of those impossible scenarios are, they do remind us of an important point. Sometimes the PRESENT is exactly where we need to be.
Sure, time travel can feel really tempting when it’s 3AM and your 3 year old won’t go back to bed, and while we might dream of easier times or futuristic solutions, embracing our current moment, with all of its unique opportunities, just might be the real secret to balance.
So while our It’s About Time machine isn’t ready for adventures, the adventure of navigating our own time is very real and sometimes just exciting. And that’s exactly why this podcast is here, to share the tips, strategies and ideas to help you define your version of work/life balance, overcome overwhelm and live the life you dream of.
What Would YOU Do With a Time Machine?
So, there you have it. As we navigate our own time, let’s take the best from the past, hope for the future, but most importantly, live fully and mindfully in the present. That’s where the real adventure lies.
And speaking of adventures, I’d love to hear from you. What would YOU do with a time machine?
I’d love to know whether you’d jump back to the roaring 20’s or jump forward to see what lies ahead, so head over to the It’s About Time podcast community at abouttimepodcast.com/community.
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