Time Doesn’t Need to Be Managed. It Needs to Be Claimed

Dr. Violeta Garcia, Ecosistema Design

Let’s talk about time.

When people say "I need better time management," what they usually mean is: “I’m overwhelmed. I’m behind. I don’t feel in control.” Sound familiar?

That’s because for many of us, especially first-time leaders, as Latinas and women of color who are holding it all together, we were taught to do more instead of doing what matters most. And when we can’t keep up with the endless demands, we start to question ourselves:

Am I not good enough? Am I falling behind? Why does everyone else seem to manage it all but me?

But here’s what I want you to know:

Time doesn’t need to be managed. Time just is.

It’s not a crisis. It’s not the enemy.
It’s simply a unit of measurement.
Every single week, we all get 168 hours.

What we do with those hours? That’s where our power lies.


Here’s what most leaders get wrong about time:

They try to manage it without first knowing their priorities.

And without clear priorities, time feels slippery. Like a fog you can’t grasp. Like you're swimming in what I call the river of misery, where the to-do list never ends, and you still don’t feel like you’ve done enough.

But here’s the truth:
You cannot control time.
You can control what you tell your time to do.

So this month, I want to challenge you:

Instead of asking, how can I manage my time better?
Ask:
What do I want my time to do for me?

Because time will pass either way.
The question is—will it pass doing what aligns with your values and your dreams? Or will it pass doing what everyone else thinks you should be doing?

If you say that family is a priority, but your calendar says otherwise—there’s a disconnect.

If you say rest matters, but your to-do list keeps growing—there’s a misalignment.

If you dream of building something meaningful, but your time is filled with tasks that drain you—then it’s time to reclaim your time.


A Personal Story: From Burnout to Boundaries

A few years ago, I was that overworked CEO chasing the clock.
I told myself I had to do it all. I made to-do lists that never ended. I worked myself into the ground. I started losing my hair! I gained 40 lbs. 

And still, I said things like: “I just wish I had more hours in the day.”

But then I realized: I didn’t need more time.
I needed a new relationship with time.
One rooted in values, clarity, and choice.

So I asked myself: What kind of impact do I want to make today? What are my top 3 values? Are they reflected in my calendar?

That’s when I started saying no to tasks that didn’t matter and yes to a life that did.

And guess what? When I changed my relationship with time, the weight melted away, and my hair started growing back. My skin started glowing. My body knew! 


This Month’s Call to Action:

🌱 Track your time for 7 days. Be honest. Where does it go? Do you like what you see?
 🌱 Ask yourself: If today were your last day, would you be proud of how you spent it? If not, why?

And finally....
Ask: Who is in charge of my time?
If the answer is not me, then it’s time to change that.


What’s Going to Get in the Way?

Let’s be real. Even when we know what to do, something often holds us back.

This is where coaching makes all the difference.

You need a guide. This is where I can help you bridge the gap between clarity and action, between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.

It’s a space to clear the noise, set powerful intentions, and build a life aligned with your deepest values.


Ready to Reclaim Your Time?

You’re not behind.
You’re not too late.
You just haven’t had the support, structure, and sacred space to build a new way.


✨ Join our monthly Caminata y Libros Networking Event. RSVP Today! 

Time is not your enemy.
It is your mirror.
And every hour is a chance to live more boldly, more intentionally, and more in alignment with the life you were meant to lead.

Let’s reclaim our time, together. After all, we only get ONE life to live. Make it a great one.