How To Create White Space in Your Life & Business

Raise of hands!!!!

How many hours of your day are NOT filled with SOMETHING…

• housework
• homework
• working your business
• carpooling your kids around
• studying your SS lesson
• making room for date night
• more cleaning

There is so little margin left in our days for just being still and allowing free forming thoughts and ideas to enter our brains! And as hard working business owners, it’s so important to make sure we make INTENTIONAL time for brainstorming!

I love my family.
I love Jesus.
I love my job.

But I have often found myself drowning in all the busyness, and I don’t believe that’s what God intended! To fill our calendars and minds SO full that there is no room for creativity or spontaneity. Jesus modeled seeking quiet time and again as He lived out his mission here on earth!

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,”
Matthew 14:23

I know that as a BUSY entrepreneur with a family and commitments it can be difficult to allow for White Space in my business. White Space simply meaning intentional time carved out without the distraction of technology, kids, chores, etc.

So I wanna share my TOP tips for creating white space. And stress that this is something I have learned is INVALUABLE in my own business and for my family.

1. Turn off technology. Our phones are a gift, but they can be the downfall of our creativity. Every time it dings or lights up, our thoughts are interrupted and filled with nonsense. If you’re not actively working your business on social media, turn it off! Set some boundaries. Turn it off on Sundays. Put it in a drawer after the kids get home from school for a few hours. Leave it in the car while you grocery shop. You’ll live. And your brain will be forced to think!
2. Schedule time off each week. For me, it’s Sundays and Saturday afternoons. My family is always outdoors playing with friends during those hours, so I sit in a quiet space with no tv or phone. Preferably outdoors. Because I feel closest to God this way. And my mind is FREE to think.
3. Make a list of areas of your life you want to hear from God. For me that’s my relationship with my family, my team, business ideas, and how I can serve my clients. It’s easy to fall into the same routine or to just do what others are doing, but God gave you a UNIQUE brain and experience to share with the people you love!
4. Create Quiet…. I know! Life is NEVER quiet for people anymore. But it can be. It may be 15 minutes while you shower (that’s a LONG shower for me, by the way). It may be waking 30 minutes earlier. It may be a Sunday afternoon drive with no music playing, no Audible and no kids talking. Or even a Sunday afternoon stroll. Don’t take the phone!
5. Retreat! I know that sounds impossible. But plan to get alone for a night or two a couple of times a year. As a business owner, this is a GIFT and an opportunity to plug into God for a couple of days and unplug from the world. You’ll see. You will walk away with more rest and peace and ideas to keep going forward with the business God has called you to. Rejuvinated and EXCITED!

White Space for Relationships

As you can see, I don’t just utilize this for business. But I also like to get quiet and still and ask God to show me how I can serve my family best. By simply writing down their names, my thoughts and heart are triggered to think about how I can love them better. I might be reminded to compliment Matt more or be still and listen patiently as Henry talks (boy loves to talk!) or snuggle Milo for an extra 10 minutes at bedtime. But God will direct you there.!

Your Turn

Now! It’s time! A couple of things you can do NOW to make this happen in your own life! #actioniseverything

1. Pencil in your white space.
2. Decide where you will make it happen – the car, the hammock in the back yard, the quiet mornings in your bed. Envision it.
3. Expect Obstacles. The kids are gonna barge in. It will rain when you planned to walk. It’s ok. Work through it and stay committed
4. Make an “it can wait” list. Laundry. Coffee with a co worker. Your inbox. They are all still gonna be there when your white space time is done. Don’t sacrifice quiet time for busy.

Oh I pray this helps! If you implement and start to see an upturn in your creativity and business productivity, I’d love to know! You can email me at racheljmitchell1@gmail.com

xoxo,
Rach