Respecting Each Other’s Time
- Jul 1, 2021
- 4 min read
Written by: Emily Rentas, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
One of the most valuable lessons the pandemic taught us all is the concept of time and commitments. Meeting with the possibility of death and/or the experience of the death of a loved one reminded us how sacred human life is and our time left on earth.
As a result, many have had personal breakthroughs and may have even reconsidered daily habits and mindsets. The world slowed down, and it gave us a new perspective on how we approach our calendars and life. Some found themselves with more time to work with, while others felt there were not enough hours of the day. It all echoed the discussion and importance of how we manage it to thrive and fulfill our life’s purpose.
Respecting each other’s time is an important foundation of building trust and collaboration in our relationships. It signals to one another that we are honoring each other’s presence, purpose, and commitment to one another and any common agendas and goals. When we model and communicate boundaries to others on how we view our time, we send the message that our time with one another is sacred and honored with mutual respect.
Consider the following points when it comes to the concept of your time and with others as you seek a life of purpose and contentment.
Be intentional and decisive.
When scheduling that call, meeting, or last-minute function, consider what you are trying to accomplish/determine/etc. By the end of it. Ask yourself or others the following:
Is the delivery method appear the most appropriate and necessary currently? Perhaps a conference call instead of zoom or a zoom call instead of an in-person meeting?
Can this be resolved by a detailed email or a later date? Are there hard or soft deadlines? Is canceling or lateness a pattern that needs to be addressed?
Who needs to be invited to the commitment and why?
When scheduling a meeting with multiple people, get a common time by using meeting scheduling websites or apps which allow you to find a common time to avoid emails back and forth. This also cuts back from unnecessary meetings if multiple people are involved in decision-making activities.
Do not assume.
When in doubt, clarify meeting expectations or any required prep work beforehand. If we assume others to figure out on their own what is expected or to prepare without communication, it sets the stage for misunderstandings and duplication of work and effort. Clarifying expectations ahead will leave little to no room to assume expectations or outcomes. Give folks ample time when rescheduling and canceling as unexpected events happen to all of us. Be mindful of not creating a pattern of canceling and rescheduling last minute.
When there is a pattern of canceling or rescheduling, it sends the underlying message that time is not honored. This can be an opportunity to improve in a respectful and collaborative manner. Always revisit with others if a standing time still works for one another as schedules and life events are constantly evolving.
Be honest with yourself and others.
Look at your current schedule in the upcoming month and note the following:
What does time and your schedule mean to you? What expectations do you hold of others and yourself when it comes to time and schedules? Do you find yourself cringing at your calendar or looking forward to the week? How can you shift your schedule to be more fulfilling and productive?
Does your current time and schedule reflect your short-term and long-term wellness must-haves? If they do not, what are some ways you can begin with incremental steps and accountability?
What are the common themes of how you spend your time and schedule? Are there are any trends of items or issues rolling over to the next that have been repeating?
Who are the same individuals involved, and is there any room for group meetings with a common agenda, purpose, or project?
Are you being realistic about the responsibilities and downtime you have available? Blocking your time in advance allows you to really know what will be on your plate for the day, week, or even month. Remember to book in time to break, breathe and engage in fulfilling activities that contribute to self-care.
Setting boundaries in advance will often avoid many instances of people disrespecting your time in the future and honors others in the process. Clear and consistent communication of hiccups or issues that can affect commitments is important in the process. Keep an open mind and be flexible with others, when possible, in scheduling and committing. We all have situations and commitments in our lives that are sometimes out of our control. The more we can respectfully engage in meaningful discussions on mutual approaches, time, and schedules, the more we can assist one another in our journeys and create meaningful interactions with one another.
Time and commitments require us to be intentional and considerate if we are looking to fulfill a life of purpose. Honor yourself and others by respecting each other’s time, and you will see your life and business blossom tenfold.
Emily Rentas, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Change agent Emily Rentas is a mental health leader, coaching, leadership development, operations, project, and non-profit management. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, to immigrant parents of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, Emily has navigated the cultural and economic systems and landscapes first- and second-generation immigrants face within the United States. She has been on a journey of counseling and mentoring clients and teams throughout her 10+ years within mental health and social services communities and organizations in New York City and the United States as a whole. She founded Paragon Solstice Inc. to help optimize and build resiliency in the lives, businesses, and organizations of those embarking on new journeys and transitions through their collective impact. Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in transformation and mindset development together with a passion for leadership and mindfulness into her coaching style. With this approach, Emily aims to help individuals, businesses, and organizations create sustainable solutions that will unlock their unique potential and impact.
Her mission: Guide individuals and businesses to create the keys necessary to open doors to bring visions and goals into creation.
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