Stop Saying You Don’t Have Time: Here’s How to Structure Your Day With Purpose
Today we are talking about something I know so many of us feel on a day to day basis – and that’s feeling like there’s just never enough time in the day. Am I right or am I right?
Between work, workouts, meals, family, errands, and a to-do list that feels like it never ends… it can feel like there’s no possible way to get it all done. And listen—I’ve been there, too. There have absolutely been seasons where I’ve told myself, “If I just had a few more hours in my day, I could finally stay on top of everything.”
But here’s what I’ve learned: it’s not always about how much time we have—it’s about how we’re using the time we do have.
What I discuss:
Why feeling overwhelmed by time often comes down to how we’re structuring our days
The simple but powerful difference between being busy and being productive
How to identify where your time is actually going
And most importantly—practical ideas and tips to be more mindful and intentional with your time each day
If you loved this episode, you’ll also love…
Episode 475: Easy Ways to Add Activity to Your Busy Schedule
https://www.juliealedbetter.com/embrace-your-real/easy-ways-to-add-activity-to-your-busy-schedule
If you want more from me, be sure to check out...
Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie
Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/
Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/
Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook
Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page
Transcript
00:00 -
Hey, hey, beautiful human, Can I steal five minutes of your time? I have something super important to share with you, but I promise I'll be really quick. You're listening to my weekly bonus episode of Embrace your Real with me, julie Ledbetter. I'm about to give you a quick tip for building your confidence, honoring your body and unconditionally loving your authentic self. Stay tuned If you're ready to embrace your real, let's get it. Let's go. Hello and welcome back to another episode on the Embrace your Real podcast.
00:40
Today we're talking about something that I know many of us feel on a day-to-day basis and that is just feeling like there's honestly never enough time in the day. Am I right or am I right? Between work, workouts, meals, family errands, the to-do list never feels like it's complete. It can always feel like there's literally no possible way to get it all done. And listen, I've been there. I'm currently there, in my postpartum season okay, there have absolutely been prior seasons to having Blake, but also in this current season where I've told myself, if I just had a few more hours in my day, I could finally stay on top of everything. But here's what I've learned it's not always about how much time we have, it's about how we're using the time that we do have. So today I want to help you shift out of the mindset of I don't have enough time to okay, how can I be more intentional with the time that I do have? We're going to be talking about why feeling overwhelmed by time often comes down to how we're structuring our days the simple but powerful difference between being busy and also being productive, how to identify where your time is actually going and, most importantly, practical ideas and tips to be more mindful and intentional with your time each day.
01:50
But before I dive in, I want to share this review. It comes from Lava Abhi. She gave a five-star review and said just found you. Wow, I just found this podcast today randomly except not because I don't think anything is random, but, god, it's exactly what I have been missing Encouragement and truth swirled with a dose of practical help. Thank you, julie, excited to keep listening. This is exactly why I love when you guys leave these reviews, because it just encourages us and reminds us like, hey, at any moment in time you might find a podcast, the podcast in general or a specific episode that you needed to hear, and so thank you so much for taking time out of your day to send in these reviews. Thank you so much for tuning into the podcast and also if you could remind a friend or a coworker or share it if they've never tuned in. Maybe you've been a longtime listener and you've never shared it with someone. I just encourage you to share it with one or a couple of your friends today or this week and just say, hey, tune into this podcast. Whether you have a specific episode for them or just the podcast in general, that would mean the absolute world to me and our team. Okay, let's get to it.
02:59
Why do we never feel like there's never enough time? Let's kind of start here, and I think this is where so many of us get stuck. We're feeling like we're running out of time all day long, but if we really zoom out, it's not always about the amount of time that we have. It's about where the time is going Like. Have you ever had a day where you've just been busy from the moment you woke up to the moment that you went to bed, but at the end of the day, you still feel like you actually didn't accomplish the things that really mattered to you? That's the difference between busy and intentional. Being busy means that your time is full. Being intentional means that your time is aligned with your values, your priorities and your goals, and those two things are not the same. The hard truth is, if we don't decide where our time is going, it's going to get filled by whatever's loudest or most urgent, not necessarily what's most important, and this is why it can feel like we're constantly behind, even when we're constantly doing right. The first step to being more intentional with your time, though, is understanding where it's going right now.
04:00
If you've ever tracked your macros, or if you've tuned into this podcast for any length of time, you know I'm a big believer on macro counting. I teach you how to do it, multiple different ways of doing it depending on the season of life you're in or what your goals are, but you know how eye-opening it can be to actually log your food and see the numbers add up. You feel like you haven't eaten that much for the day, but somehow you only have 500 calories left, and you've only eaten 50% of your protein for the day. Where did your macros go? How did they add up so quickly? This is because you weren't being intentional about your food choices, and guess what?
04:31
It's kind of the same exact thing with your time, and this is why I recommend doing a quick time audit, even just for a day or two, like write down what you're doing in 30 minute chunks throughout the day. Be honest with yourself. Are you scrolling Instagram for 20 minutes? Write it down. Are you re-watching the Office or whatever the TV show is on Netflix or whatever streaming platform you're on while you're folding laundry? Write it down.
04:54
This isn't about judging yourself. It's about awareness, because when we say I don't have time to meal prep, but then we realize we spent 90 minutes that day watching Netflix, it's not about shaming ourselves. It's about seeing the opportunity to realign our time with what matters most. Awareness is the first step towards intention, and so, once you've identified where your time is going, here's some super practical ways to kind of start being more mindful about how you structure your day. So, number one start with your top three priorities for the day. So every morning or the night before, ask yourself okay, what are the three most important things that I want to accomplish today? Or, if it's the night before, tomorrow? Not the 37 things on your to-do list, not every task that could possibly get done, just the top three. This really does help cut through the noise and focus your time and energy on what matters most.
05:46
Number two time block your day, even if it's loosely. Time blocking is just the practice of assigning certain hours of the day to certain tasks. It doesn't have to be rigid, but it can create a loose structure for your day. So, for example, that's, you know, 7 to 7.30, that's your morning routine. That's breakfast 7.30 to 9,. That is depending on if you're working from home or if you're a stay-at-home mom, whatever it is. That's going to be totally different. But your focus work time or time with baby 9 to 9.15, that's maybe nap time, that is time for you to work. Or it's break and movement time 9.15 to 11,. Obviously your baby's nap is not going to be 15 minutes, but you guys kind of get the point. Like Blake's nap, for example, his morning nap is around 9.15 to 10.45. So that's my time that I typically work out After that time, you know whether that's in the schedule example it's 9.15 to 11,. That's meeting or client calls, whatever it is. 11 to 12 workout you get the example. It's going to be totally different from person to person depending on what your responsibilities are each day, but get nitty gritty with it.
06:47
Time block even the smallest things, because that does add up. This protects the space for things that you say are important. So, instead of letting the day run you, you are running your day. Number three build in margin. Don't pack your day wall to wall. This one's big. If every single minute of your day is scheduled back to back, one small hiccup throws everything off. Instead, I want you to build in breathing room between each task, so give yourself buffer time that way, when not if life happens, you're not immediately overwhelmed and behind.
07:19
Number four limit multitasking, especially with big priorities. So multitasking, yes, can make us feel productive, but the research is actually super clear it actually reduces your efficiency and focus. So, instead of trying to juggle five things at once, try giving your full attention to one thing, one or two things at a time. Even if it's just for 20 minutes of focus time. You're likely going to be way more productive overall.
07:44
Number five set boundaries around your phone and screen time. Our phones are one of our biggest time leaks. And listen, I'm not saying delete social media and live in a cabin, nowhere off-grid whatever, but I am saying that being aware of how often you're picking up your phone and setting limits if needed can really help give back so much time and, more importantly, mental space. And here's what I like to do. I'm constantly on do not disturb. Like my mom said that the other day, she's like Jewel. Every time I text you it says do not disturb. And I'm like I know, because I have to, like I have to limit my notifications or I will just get so overwhelmed. Another thing that I do is I set social media time limits. So whether that is 15 minutes or 30 minutes or an hour, depending on, obviously, if you work on social media, that's a little bit different, but if it's just for scrolling purposes, set that social media time limit, then it will literally turn off and then you manually have to say no, not today, and then you feel guilty for saying that. So it is really helpful when you do set that time limit on your phone for social media. And last but not least, number three keep your phone in another room during focus, work blocks or mealtime or sleeping, if possible. Those are three things that have really helped me just in terms of setting boundaries around your phone and screen time.
09:01
Number six set boundaries with other people's expectations. This one's big, because a lot of us aren't just overwhelmed by our own to-do list. We're also overloaded by everyone else's expectations, whether that is a coworker dropping a last minute project in our lap, or a friend who always wants to talk during your work block, or even loved ones who just assume that you're you know you'll just take care of everything. Like If you're not intentional, their priorities will start running your day. And so here's your reminder Just because someone asked doesn't mean that you have to say yes.
09:32
Protecting your time might sound like I'd love to help, but I've already committed my time somewhere else today. Or I'm happy to talk, but I only have 15 minutes. Or I'm happy to talk, but I don't have time right now. Can we schedule this for tomorrow? Focusing on something else in that moment and just being mindful of that right, saying no to other people's demands isn't selfish. In my opinion. It's self-respect, because your time is yours and you get to decide where it goes. Now, that doesn't always mean that you have to be selfish with your time, but I do think that setting boundaries is so healthy and important. And last but not least, number seven make time for what fills your cup, not just what fills your calendar.
10:11
Intentional time management isn't just about productivity. It's about making space for what keeps you feeling your best. This might be getting your workout in cooking a nourishing meal, taking a walk outside, journaling, reading your Bible, reading the book that you're in, whatever it is, having uninterrupted conversations with your spouse, your significant other, your kids. The goal isn't to squeeze more in. The goal is to make sure that what you're doing actually aligns to what matters to you, and so I kind of want to leave you with this.
10:40
Today, most of us don't actually need more time. Most of us, what we actually need is to be more intentional with the time that we already have, because time will always fill itself up with whatever we allow. If we're not clear on our priorities, the urgent things, the noisy things, the easy to click on things will take over. But when you choose to be mindful about where your time goes, when you build your days around what really matters, you actually stop feeling like life is happening to you and you start feeling more so like you're in the driver's seat and that my girl is a complete game changer when you can stop feeling like life is always happening to you and start feeling like I am in control of this. I'm sitting in the driver's seat, I'm managing this, I'm being faithful with what I've been given and, if this conversation is resonating with you, if you're feeling like the part that's keeping you stuck is not having a clear plan on how to move your body consistently in the time that you do have.
11:39
That's exactly why I created my Movement with Julie weekly workout dumbbell only app. It is designed to help you stay consistent with your workouts, whether you've got 20 minutes, whether you've got 60 minutes, without the overwhelm, without the guesswork, and so inside the app, I give you simple, effective Dumble Only workouts that fit into your real life. You can choose two workouts, you can choose three workouts, you can choose five workouts. I guide you through how to do the movements, so every single workout has a video demonstration and every single workout is programmed. So three sets of 12 reps or two sets of 10 reps or whatever it is. So you literally do not have to think about it. All you have to do is show up, watch the videos, click next, log the weights that you're using. If you want to have that, which I do, recommend that you do log the weights, just so that you have a point of reference, especially if you're wanting to get stronger and implement that progressive overload.
12:37
But the best part is, all you need is a few pair of dumbbells and a small space. That's genuinely all you need. And if you're short on time, I have a 60 minute or a 30 minute variation for every single workout. So if you're ready to feel strong and follow a plan that actually works for you, you can head over to sale that's S-A-L-Emumujlicom, or just simply click the link in the show notes and you can get 50% off your first month as a brand new subscriber.
13:01
And lastly, if this episode helped you today, would you do me a favor and share it with a friend who might need this reminder as well? If you haven't also left a review yet, I'd love for you to do that. It really does help this episode, or this podcast in particular, get out to more women, which is always our goal. And last but not least, if you love this episode, I know you will also love episode 475, easy ways to add activity into your busy schedule. So if that is something that you're struggling with and you're like man I just have, I do have a busy schedule. I'm intentional with it, but I do have a busy schedule, but I need to figure out how I can add more movement into my busy schedule days. That's exactly what that episode will break down for you, so I will go ahead and link that in the show notes below.
13:44
Again, that is episode 475, but that is episode 475. But that is all that I have for today's episode. I love you so dang much, I mean it, and I'll talk to you in the next one. All right, sister, that's all I got for you today, but I have two things that I need you to do. First thing if you are not already following me on the gram, be sure to do so. Julie A Ledbetter yes, it's with an A in the middle for that daily post-workout real talk, healthy tips and tricks and honest accountability to keep your mind and heart in check. The second thing be sure to subscribe to Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. Thank you so much for joining me. It means the absolute world, and I'm going to leave you with one last thought. The most beautiful women that I have met in my life are the ones who are completely confident and secure in being authentically themselves. Remember that beauty goes so much deeper than the surface. So go out there and embrace your real, because you're worth it.