{"id":1232,"date":"2021-10-17T09:15:36","date_gmt":"2021-10-17T13:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/?p=1232"},"modified":"2022-07-05T14:54:18","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T18:54:18","slug":"how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Forgive Yourself for Wasting Time (for Better Productivity &#038; Time Management)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What was the last time you felt stuck with a project that you\u2019re working on?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve been quite busy with a million other things, but this one particular project remains unfinished. Days, weeks, months, or even years pass\u2026 and now you\u2019re thinking about how to forgive yourself for wasting time!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a creative person who is always filled with big ideas, there may be times when your projects don\u2019t always go smoothly or as initially planned. Deadlines come and go, but your progress is slow. Or worse, you might haven&#8217;t taken action yet!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, you will need to overcome this \u201churdle\u201d so that you can eventually move forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The purpose of this article is to discuss some common reasons why we tend to waste time, as well as the importance of forgiving ourselves. We will also be sharing some practical tips on time management, and of course, ways on how to forgive yourself for wasting time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/characteristics-of-a-know-it-all-person\/\">Characteristics of a Know-it-all Person and How to Deal with Them<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/new-month-new-goals-tips\/\">13 \u201cNew Month, New Goals\u201d Tips to Make the Rest of This Year Your Best Year Yet<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/advantages-of-creativity-in-business\/\">9 Surprising Advantages of Creativity in Business<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>Top Reasons Why We Waste Time<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1238\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time.png\" alt=\"how to forgive yourself for wasting time\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is possible for each one of us to have different reasons for wasting time, although listed below are a few that many people have encountered at some point in their lives:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Lack of organization<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s face it. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/smallbusiness.chron.com\/effect-poor-organizational-skills-277.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lack of organization<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> leads to wasted time. When all of our papers and projects are in disarray, we would have difficulty finding \u2013 much less finishing \u2013 our tasks. Likewise, when we don\u2019t have a notebook, calendar, or other tools for planning our projects, then it\u2019s bound to take \u201ca while\u201d before we actually start doing them!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Lack of prioritization<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps you\u2019ve already made a \u201cto do\u201d list. Now what?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, it\u2019s time to set your priorities! You certainly can\u2019t do everything all at once, so you\u2019ll need to identify which projects or activities go first. This involves <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/creativity-culture\/how-to-prioritize-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">focusing on the most important and urgent tasks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> first before getting around to the not-so-important and not-so-urgent ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"fancy-underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/eqai\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0&gt;&gt;&gt; Boost your efficiency. Check this out. &lt;&lt;&lt;<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Procrastination<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve all been guilty of this sometimes, haven\u2019t we?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know that we should be doing something important today, yet we put it off, thinking that we can always do it \u201ctomorrow,\u201d or the next day, or the next\u2026 and so on until we end up <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.houghton.edu\/current-students\/center-for-student-success\/academic-support-and-accessibility-services\/study-advisement\/time-management\/procrastination-and-cramming\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">having to \u201ccram\u201d everything<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! As a result, our final output might not be as high quality or as good as we\u2019d originally planned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Excessive worrying<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1239\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-your-life.png\" alt=\"how to forgive yourself for wasting your life\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-your-life.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-your-life-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-your-life-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A little amount of worrying wouldn\u2019t hurt, but too much worrying is just plain unnecessary, not to mention a total waste of time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of worrying, do something that could help solve the problem at hand. If you are concerned about something that is beyond your control, just do your best and move on to other things, than be consumed by excessive amounts of worrying!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Social media and personal emails<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s be honest. Social media platforms are our biggest time wasters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We spend so much time on social media these days \u2013 reading posts, sharing photos, accumulating \u201clikes,\u201d and watching numerous videos that may or may not be related to our work. The same goes for emails, many of which may not be essential or urgent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps checking social media and email notifications a few times a day is okay, but when these become distractions instead of occasional activities, then we should seriously consider limiting them. Remember, there\u2019s more to life than being glued to our smartphones and computers 24\/7!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Reasons Why You Need to Forgive Yourself<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let us imagine that you are currently having a hard time with self-forgiveness. You realize that you have wasted so much time, and you are filled with feelings of guilt, worry, and despair. It makes you want to give up, too!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But before you make any drastic decisions, first consider the following reasons why you need to forgive yourself:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. You need to forgive and embrace your uniqueness.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nobody is perfect, and yes, that includes you. Keep in mind that you have positive as well as negative traits. These traits are what makes you\u2026 well, you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inevitably, you will make mistakes from time to time, and that\u2019s all right. Humans as we are, we all make a mistake or two from time to time. Besides, life isn&#8217;t just all about perfection. In addition, it&#8217;s about learning from failure and making progress towards success. So <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/r1m8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">don&#8217;t beat yourself up<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over past failures. Learn from them and try again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. You need to forgive so that you can move forward.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1247\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/stop-wasting-time.png\" alt=\"stop wasting time\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/stop-wasting-time.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/stop-wasting-time-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/stop-wasting-time-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visualize yourself carrying a heavy sack filled with stones. Each stone represents a time when you were tough on yourself for making a mistake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t forgive yourself, the bag would only get heavier and heavier \u2013 thus making it hard to go on. But if you decide to forgive yourself, the bag would become lighter and lighter\u2026 so you can finally move forward. Imagine how life would become much easier it would be to carry around such a light load!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. You need to forgive yourself so that you can forgive others.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1242\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time.png\" alt=\"how to stop wasting time\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you cannot forgive yourself, then how can you genuinely forgive others?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The truth is: guilt doesn\u2019t always help. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/becoming-you\/how-undeserved-self-blame-can-paralyze-us-57996d01df44\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guilt can paralyze people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from doing worthwhile. It would linger even more if you don\u2019t do anything that could lead to forgiveness. It might even become a bad habit!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to truly change things, then you must start by forgiving yourself. Afterward, you can begin to work on other areas of your life where you may still harbor resentment toward another person. This way, you&#8217;ll not only improve your situation, but you&#8217;ll also positively impact the lives of many others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>16 Tips on How to Forgive Yourself for Wasting Time (and Finally Move Forward)\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So far, we\u2019ve talked about the importance of forgiving oneself. Let us now discuss how to forgive yourself for wasting time so that you can definitely \u201cmove forward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Take responsibility for your actions (or inaction).<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1249\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/wasting-time-on-social-media.png\" alt=\"wasting time on social media\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/wasting-time-on-social-media.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/wasting-time-on-social-media-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/wasting-time-on-social-media-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I get it: you\u2019ve made some mistakes and wasted a considerable amount of time. We all do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The important thing now is to accept what you did (or didn\u2019t do), work on eliminating the bad habit, and improve your behavior overall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s not easy, but once <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/8brt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you put your mind to it<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can start eliminating shame and improving your approach to life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So now is your turn to admit your mistakes, learn from them and take full responsibility for them. Remember that everybody makes mistakes, including me. And that\u2019s all right.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now it\u2019s time to let go and move on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. View yourself and your actions objectively.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As humans, we tend to be self-critical; we tend to beat ourselves up when we make mistakes. We even go as far as comparing ourselves with more disciplined people!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now try to imagine if it was another person who made the same mistake. You wouldn\u2019t be too hard on this person, would you? You would be more patient, understanding, and forgiving.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can be objective when dealing with other people\u2019s mistakes, then you should also be objective when examining yourself and your actions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, you have no control over external factors. However, you DO have complete control over how YOU react to situations. So why not use that power wisely? Why not choose to be compassionate towards yourself instead of being critical?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Make the deliberate decision to \u201clet go.\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1246\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/social-media-wasting-time.png\" alt=\"social media wasting time\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/social-media-wasting-time.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/social-media-wasting-time-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/social-media-wasting-time-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The road to self-forgiveness starts with a small but significant step: deciding to let go. There simply is no point in dwelling on the past and prolonging negative feelings. Instead, focus on moving ahead and making positive changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s no need to feel guilty anymore. Just remember that there will always be new opportunities coming along, and you shouldn\u2019t waste any of those chances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you finally decide to let it go \u2013 your past mistakes, guilty feelings, negative thoughts, everything \u2013 you are on your way to moving on with confidence!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. If necessary, seek forgiveness from others.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Along the way, you may have caused pain or inconvenience to other people because of your actions. Consequently, your relationship with them may have been strained or negatively affected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If these people are important to you, and you would like to reconnect or improve your relationship with them, go ahead and make amends in person. By seeking forgiveness from others, your road to self-forgiveness will become brighter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Open your mind to different perspectives.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1244\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/no-more-wasting-time.png\" alt=\"no more wasting time\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/no-more-wasting-time.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/no-more-wasting-time-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/no-more-wasting-time-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have started a project with a specific plan in mind. You\u2019ve set deadlines and target milestones along the way. Unfortunately, you haven\u2019t been able to follow your original intent, and that\u2019s okay.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of being too hard on yourself, maybe it\u2019s time to shift your perspective, modify your plan, or simply adjust time frames. This could mean changing some aspects of your initial project or perhaps starting something completely new.\u00a0 It may not be what you originally had in mind, but it\u2019s still a plan worth pursuing!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/motivation-vs-inspiration\/\">Motivation vs Inspiration: 11 Easy Ways to Tell Them Apart<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/essential-rules-for-negotiation\/\">How to Get Better Deals: The 15 Essential Rules for Negotiation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/street-smarts-vs-book-smarts\/\">Battle of the Brains: Street Smarts Vs. Book Smarts <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Set short-term and long-term goals.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of us begin our projects with a long-term goal and almost immediately make a sprint. We are so excited and eager to get started that sometimes when things go wrong, we get discouraged and start thinking that it all suddenly seems impossible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the truth is, feelings of discouragement may quickly come from our perception of things. Maybe, our goal just seems too far-fetched that we throw away the towel too early in the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it doesn&#8217;t have to be that way. No matter how far-fetched a goal seems to be, you can make it more achievable and realistic by setting short-term goals. Think of these short-term goals as your stepping stones to achieving your ultimate goal. They should help you stay motivated and focused throughout the process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So take baby steps every single day until you reach your ultimate goal. And once you do, celebrate!<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"fancy-underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/rufs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&gt;&gt;&gt; Learn the art of setting SMART goals here. &lt;&lt;&lt;<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Focus your attention on one task at a time.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1241\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet.png\" alt=\"how to stop wasting time on the internet\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might have heard about \u201cmultitasking,\u201d which involves doing several things at the same time. Well, our advice is NOT to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid multitasking at all costs! It only leads to stress and frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&#8217;t try to accomplish too many things at once. When you finish that particular job, move on to another one. Don\u2019t worry if this means taking longer than usual; instead, think of it as an investment towards reaching your goals faster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Create deadlines and stick to them.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier, we mentioned the importance of setting short-term and long-term goals. This time around, let&#8217;s talk about deadlines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First things first, when setting time frames, make sure that it&#8217;s reasonable. If you&#8217;re working on a project that normally takes three months to finish, don&#8217;t expect to complete everything within two weeks. Instead, try breaking down each part into smaller tasks, and give yourself enough time to work through those parts before moving on to the next ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Second, create deadlines for yourself. Make sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/rufs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(SMART)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That way, you&#8217;ll know exactly how further away you are from your goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a specific deadline can also help motivate and remind you to stick to a project. Without a target date, you could easily get distracted, resulting in loss of focus and eventually your interest in a project.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Apply the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/hh4n\"><b>\u201cPomodoro\u201d technique<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1240\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time-.png\" alt=\"how to stop wasting time\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time-.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time--300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-stop-wasting-time--768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have heard of this technique, which is a time-management method created by Francesco Cirillo. To do this, all you need is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/jwth\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pomodoro timer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/c00x\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a list of things<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that you need to accomplish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s how it works:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each \u201cPomodoro\u201d equals 25 minutes of focused, uninterrupted work, followed by a 5-minute break. The idea is to divide long hours of work into several intervals, with short breaks in-between. Breaks are important, as well as dividing our work into shorter, more manageable \u201cchunks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/hh4n\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pomodoro Technique<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is beneficial to people who tend to procrastinate or lose motivation during their projects. By using this technique, you will find yourself getting better results because you won\u2019t feel overwhelmed anymore. You\u2019ll also enjoy the feeling of accomplishment after completing a Pomodoro session.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>10. Be mindful.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being mindful means becoming more aware of what\u2019s going on around you. Once you do, you will start to notice other people\u2019s expressions more. Perhaps you have a friend who looks sad and needs cheering up, or perhaps you have a neighbor who is feeling lonely and could use some company. Go ahead and spend some time with them!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mindfulness also means being more aware of your own thoughts and feelings. What are your fears, worries, and concerns? <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/6vfq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try slowing down<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and just think about these things. By being mindful of your \u201cexternal\u201d and \u201cinternal\u201d circumstances, you begin focusing on more important things \u2013 making each day more meaningful and productive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>11. Practice meditation.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1245\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/quit-wasting-time.png\" alt=\"quit wasting time\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/quit-wasting-time.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/quit-wasting-time-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/quit-wasting-time-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In relation to being \u201cmindful,\u201d as stated earlier, consider <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/rtef\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">practicing meditation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Your form of meditation can be a simple breathing exercise or closing your eyes and listening to some relaxing music. The idea is to \u201clet go\u201d for a few minutes (or longer) and simply relax.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have identified counter-productive habits, try to replace them with meditation so that you become less reactive and more present. Meditation helps us slow down and appreciate life more. It allows us to see life clearly without judgment and enables us to reflect upon ourselves and our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>12. Focus on the lessons.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any teacher can tell you that \u201cmaking mistakes is part of the learning process.\u201d In fact, it\u2019s scarce for a person to get things \u201cright\u201d or perfect the first time they try!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will make mistakes, and it\u2019s totally okay. What really matters is that you learn the lesson!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>13. Start a <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wek6\"><b>journal<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1243\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/just-wasting-time.png\" alt=\"just wasting time\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/just-wasting-time.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/just-wasting-time-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/just-wasting-time-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, putting your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wek6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thoughts into writing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help overcome hurdles. Grab a notebook and start writing. Just let it all out: your thoughts, feelings, plans, worries\u2026 everything!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Later, when you look back at what you\u2019ve written, you will come up with realizations and possible solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>14. Develop a positive self-image.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve made mistakes. You\u2019ve wasted time. You might have been disappointed in yourself. However, you shouldn\u2019t let your past shortcomings define you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of dwelling on past negativity, why not focus on positive things today? You are in control. You can take charge and make plans. You are very much capable and responsible. Affirm your positive traits, and just keep going forward!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>15. Connect with others.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1248\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/tired-of-wasting-time.png\" alt=\"tired of wasting time\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/tired-of-wasting-time.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/tired-of-wasting-time-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/tired-of-wasting-time-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a support system is essential. This includes having family members, friends, and co-workers with whom you can connect from time to time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By establishing and nurturing these relationships, you will have an endless source of motivation, inspiration, and strength. There is a time to be alone and a time to be with others. Always remember that!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>16. Be forgiving (to others and yourself).<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, be forgiving. We know this is much easier said than done, but we must learn the art of forgiveness. We need to forgive ourselves for past mistakes and other \u201cbaggage.\u201d We need to forgive others so that we can move on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/traits-of-a-shallow-person\/\">6 Traits of a Shallow Person &amp; How You Can Deal with One<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset\/\">Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset: Your Questions Answered<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/how-to-have-a-productive-day\/\">How to Have a Productive Day: 18 Tips to Help You Make the Most of Your Day<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>The Bottom Line<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the end of the day, the important thing is to be forgiving and compassionate \u2013 to yourself and others. Making mistakes is an inevitable part of the learning experience, after all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By taking note of the abovementioned tips and taking the necessary steps regarding time management and self-forgiveness, you can begin to move forward with a brighter and more positive attitude!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I hope you learned from our article how to manage your time effectively. If there\u2019s anything else you would like us to cover about managing your time or how to forgive yourself for wasting time, please feel free to leave a comment below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1251\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time-pin-683x1024.png\" alt=\"how to forgive yourself for wasting time pin\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time-pin-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time-pin-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time-pin-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-forgive-yourself-for-wasting-time-pin.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><em><u>Disclaimer:<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on one of the product links, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Creativity Mesh.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> If you&#8217;re just starting out on your new venture, you&#8217;re going to make mistakes. It&#8217;s part of growing. The trick is learning from your slip-ups and not making them again. Here are some ways to forgive yourself for wasting time, and get back on track.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1237,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[66,55,17,18,21,51,53],"post_folder":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1232"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1232"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1254,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1232\/revisions\/1254"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1237"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1232"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=1232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}