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Your Most Important

Appointment

by Maria Gracia Updated September 6, 2024 Join our newsletter to be notified when new content is added to our website. An appointment is more than just a meeting. It's a mutual agreement—a commitment, really—to carve out time for something important. You probably make appointments regularly: with your doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, contractor, hair stylist, and others. Once these appointments are set, they're rarely missed. Even if something comes up and you have to cancel, you’re quick to reschedule and make sure it’s back on the calendar. But there’s one person we often forget to make appointments for. That person is you. Why is it that we schedule appointments for everything under the sun but leave ourselves off the list? The answer is simple: life gets busy. Between the obligations of work, family, and home, we push our personal wants and needs further down the list, often until they disappear altogether. But here's the thing: your well- being, your happiness, and your joy are just as important as anything else on your calendar. Think about the things you love but rarely do anymore. Maybe it's curling up with a good book, exercising, cooking a new recipe, or binge-watching your favorite show. Why aren't these things happening regularly? Often, it’s because we don't make the time. Instead of creating a specific time to indulge in what brings us joy, we leave it to chance. And guess what? Life will always fill that empty space if you don’t claim it. The solution is simple: treat your personal interests and activities with the same importance you would any other appointment. Write them down, block them out on your calendar, and give them the respect they deserve. When that time rolls around, don’t brush it off. Keep the appointment just as you would with your dentist or accountant. Scheduling time for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. You can't keep giving to others if your own cup is empty. And here’s the truth: setting aside time for the things that make you happy will rejuvenate you, allowing you to show up as your best self in every other area of life. Think of it this way: when you put an appointment on your calendar, you’re making a commitment. The same should go for appointments with yourself. Need 30 minutes to unwind with a cup of tea and a good book? Put it in the schedule. Want to enjoy a daily walk in the park to clear your mind? Schedule it. Dying to finish that novel you’ve been halfway through for six months? Block out an hour for it. By giving yourself a specific time slot, you’re prioritizing your well-being—and that's priceless. The next time you’re reviewing your calendar, don’t just fill it with meetings, errands, and obligations. Sprinkle in some "you" time. It’s more than okay to block out time for the things that make you happy. In fact, it’s essential. When you prioritize yourself, you’ll find that you have more energy, more patience, and more enthusiasm for everything else on your plate. So go ahead—set that appointment with yourself. You deserve it. Back to Time Management Index