Now the thing about time is that time isn’t really real. It’s just your point of view but it seems to control many aspects of our lives.

I have a very strange affliction; I am always on time – with very few exceptions. I do not even try; I’m simply wired that way. Even when I take my time, I’m on time or early. I tend to over estimate how much time it takes to do something. I will put a cushion of an extra five minutes in, just in case something crosses my path unexpectedly, but rarely need it. Even when I was a caseworker in the field, visiting clients in their homes all over Orange County, I was on time. This may seem challenging to some, since who knew what situation would arrive or what their needs were that day. Nevertheless, I was on time for my next appointment.  Once I became a Mom, I was given the grace of “Mommy Time,” so I was forgiven for any lateness. But, honestly, it rarely happened.  Funny, but one of the few times I was actually late, was on a first date, a blind date with the man who later became my husband. Nevertheless, it all worked out.

I can’t lie: I enjoy being on time, though I do not like to clock watch. I actually do not want time to dictate my life. I try my best at being in the moment. So how do I do it? Besides being wired this way, I have some tools that help me budget my time effectively. I’m not sure when I stopped wearing a watch and started using my cell phone for telling time, but I can tell you it has made quite a difference in my life. I actually use my cell phone for my alarm clock. Since, I don’t like to clock watch, I use the alarm to remind me that I need to change gears. I use it to wake up in the morning, remind myself to move on from a meeting or event, or simply that it’s time to meet Mathew’s bus. I love the relaxing music that emanates from my cell phone telling me that I need to move on.

Funny, I’m not a cell phone person, I rarely text or use our data plan. However, I’m not sure if I can live without its alarm clock. I find it extra helpful when we have a power outage as it always goes off on time, regardless.

What tools do you use to manage time? Please share and I will continue to share.