Day 6: Time Management Strategies for Busy Professionals Who Prioritize Fitness
Title: Making Time for What Matters: Fitting Fitness into Your Busiest Days
Introduction: We understand the connection between training and our values, and we've explored the importance of community. Today, we tackle one of the biggest challenges faced by GRL members: finding time for consistent training amid demanding professional and personal responsibilities.
Key Points:
The myth of "finding time" versus "making time"
Decision fatigue and why scheduling is crucial
High-impact, time-efficient training strategies
The paradox of rest: how strategic recovery improves productivity
Research Highlights: Research published in the Harvard Business Review found that regular exercise improved time management and work productivity by an average of 72 minutes per day (Loehr & Schwartz, 2011). This suggests that time "spent" exercising actually creates more available time through enhanced efficiency and energy management.
A study by Jansen and Leboeuf-Yde (2018) found that "time scarcity is often cited as a barrier to regular exercise, yet higher levels of physical activity are associated with improved perception of having enough time" (p. 63). This counterintuitive finding suggests that regular exercise may actually improve time perception and management.
Practical Application: Try the "non-negotiable" approach this week: identify three 30-minute blocks in your calendar and label them as important meetings with yourself. During these times, complete a focused high-intensity workout without distractions. Track how this structured approach affects both your fitness progress and your productivity in other areas.
References: Jansen, L., & Leboeuf-Yde, C. (2018). Overcoming the barrier of time: A systematic review of associations between physical activity and perceived time. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 46(3), 61-70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494817745009
Loehr, J., & Schwartz, T. (2011). The power of full engagement: Managing energy, not time, is the key to high performance and personal renewal. Simon and Schuster.
