| The way we spend our time can be divided into | | | | Wasted time |
| six categories. Defining these categories of time | | | | Time wasted is any time that does not fit into |
| can help you be aware of how your time is | | | | any of the above five categories. Anything you |
| spent, and help you decide if you are spending | | | | do which does not truly support your life is |
| your time to create the life you want. | | | | wasted. Time spent unconsciously is often |
| Forward-moving (Goal) time | | | | wasted. Of course, whether time is wasted or |
| This category is time spent "making progress" | | | | not can change from moment to moment. For |
| towards some goal. The goal can be a project at | | | | instance watching TV can be either renewal time, |
| work, or just the simple goal of making coffee. | | | | social time, forward-moving time (if it helps move |
| Many people feel forward-moving time is their | | | | you toward a desired goal) or wasted time, all |
| most valuable time spent | | | | depending on your state of mind and purpose in |
| Maintenance time | | | | watching TV. |
| This is something we need to do over and over in | | | | Sometimes our time spent might fall into more |
| order to maintain a certain condition or state that | | | | than one category. It depends upon our particular |
| we desire. An example is washing the dishes. You | | | | purpose for doing that action, and our state of |
| wash the dishes, use them again, wash them | | | | mind while we are doing it. Take playing music as |
| again, etc. The value of maintenance time is to | | | | an example. You might be playing music for a |
| keep status quo, not necessarily a goal "out | | | | particular goal - like earning money |
| there". Some people have difficulty seeing the | | | | (forward-moving). You may be playing in an |
| value of maintenance time, but when we neglect | | | | inspired, creative way (creative time.) You may |
| maintenance time, our lives begin to feel chaotic | | | | be playing with friends (social), and you may find |
| and overloaded. If we take time to get organized, | | | | that you feel renewed while you are playing. |
| we must make a priority to take time each day | | | | Anyone would assume that living in Paris for 5 |
| to maintain the newly organized space, or we'll | | | | months would be a dream life. However, my |
| revert back to a state of disorder. | | | | husband and I had different viewpoints on how |
| Creative time | | | | our time was spent when we lived in Paris for 5 |
| This is time spent thinking or doing something | | | | months. After about 4 months, I became aware |
| creative. An example is playing a musical | | | | that I needed to have more forward-moving time |
| instrument, painting, or conceptualizing a plan. | | | | in my life. Although living in Paris was thrilling, I still |
| Creative time spent may or may not have a goal | | | | needed more purpose than simply enjoying Paris. |
| attached to it. | | | | (I know, you think I'm crazy!) I wanted to get |
| Social time | | | | back to my organizing and coaching. I also missed |
| Included in this category is time spent with friends | | | | the creative time of playing guitar with friends. |
| or family, or even your pet. Ideally, there is no | | | | My husband, on the other hand, is an artist. He |
| goal intended in social time. | | | | spent a good part of his day painting. It was |
| Renewal time | | | | creative time for him, and he would have been |
| Anything that renews your body, mind or spirit | | | | happy to continue painting forever. Now we're |
| belongs in this category. It can be having a | | | | both back in Massachusetts. He's painting, I'm |
| massage, walking, sleeping, listening to music or | | | | organizing and coaching, and we're both fulfilled. |
| just enjoying a sunset. This implies no goal. | | | | But we do miss Paris. |