Beyond the Clock: How to Bend Time and Make Magic Happen

Have you ever wished you had more hours in the day? For many of us who have built successful careers, the transition to a new chapter can seem like a puzzle. Whether launching a business, engaging in subcontract consulting, championing a cause, or pursuing passion projects, we consistently find ourselves needing to manage and control our time and energy, precious resources in any endeavour. You have more freedom, yet the pressure to "manage" every minute can be overwhelming.

What if the secret isn't managing time at all? What if you could learn to bend it? This isn't science fiction; it's about shifting your perception to make time a powerful ally. It’s about moving from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, where your days feel spacious, productive, and deeply fulfilling. You have the power to transform your relationship with time and lead your life with renewed purpose.

The Art of Bending Time
The phrase "bending time" might sound magical, but it’s a very real and practical skill. It means moving away from the rigid idea that you only have 24 hours in a day. Instead, you can learn to experience time based on your energy, focus, and intention.
Think about a moment when you were so absorbed in a task you loved that hours felt like minutes. That was you, bending time. You expanded the moment through deep focus.

Your Executive Encore Superpower. This is a superpower for anyone designing their next chapter. It’s not about cramming more into your day; it’s about creating moments of profound impact and joy.

Bending time is about quality over quantity. When you leave a role where others dictated your schedule, you gain a vast expanse of unstructured time. This new skill of bending time allows you to give that time shape and meaning, dedicating high-quality, energetic focus to what truly matters to you now.

Making Magic Happen in Work and Life
How do you start making this "magic" happen? The magic begins when your intention, energy, and actions are all aligned. Instead of letting your inbox or a long to-do list run your day, you become the conscious creator of your reality.

The magic isn't in a complicated system. It's in the simple act of pausing to set your intention. Before you begin your day or start a new task, ask yourself:

• What is the most important outcome I want to achieve?
• How do I want to feel while doing this?

When you decide you want to feel energized and accomplished, you bring that positive energy to the task. This alignment is what produces extraordinary results with less effort.

A former executive, who launched her own consulting firm in her Executive Encore, found herself in such great demand that she became overwhelmed, working twelve-hour days. Through coaching, she first set boundaries. Then by creating a morning routine that included 15 minutes of intention-setting, she began to appreciate the value of her time and energy that further inspired self-directed action to accomplish her most critical work by lunchtime. Her days suddenly felt spacious rather than crammed. She didn't gain more hours; she transformed the quality of the time and energy that she used wisely.

Debunking the Myth of Time Management and Its Accomplice
For years, we've been told that the keys to success are better time management, increased effectiveness, and maximizing every moment of our day. For generations of women, this advice has been intertwined with its accomplice, the elusive myth of work-life balance. What’s next, learning to clone ourselves?

The concept of managing time is fundamentally flawed. Time can't be managed; it passes regardless. The constant effort to "manage" it is a losing battle that often leads to burnout. Another significant source of stress is the struggle to balance professional and personal life. This constant tug-of-war disconnects us from our authentic selves, exacerbates burnout, and fosters unhealthy comparisons among women.

The real path to healthy and fulfilling productivity and peace isn’t about managing time. It's about directing your energy through intentional focus.

"Where intention goes, energy flows" is a philosophy suggesting that directing your focused attention and purpose towards a goal or outcome is what fuels its creation and manifestation in your life.

Where you direct your energy determines the quality of your work and your life. Your next chapter isn't about squeezing more into every hour and depleting your resources. It’s about pouring your valuable energy into the work that truly lights you up.

Here’s the new rule: Lead your time, don’t just manage it. You are in the driver's seat. Ask yourself, "What is the most valuable use of my energy right now?" Sometimes it will be deep, focused work. Other times, it might be taking a walk to recharge or sharing your time and energy with someone. When you lead from a place of purpose, your time naturally falls into place and your energy follows, creating a life that feels not just successful, but deeply fulfilling.

You've earned the right to savour the experiences that give you joy. That savouring is what makes time feel rich and abundant. The next chapter of your life is about mastering time and energy, empowering you to do what you want, exactly when you want to do it - and how you want to do it! No one looking over your shoulder or assessing your progress or performance. 

Ready to explore more about how to master your time and energy? Dive deeper into these concepts by listening to our latest podcast episode on the topic. Discover more actionable steps to transform your career and thrive with purpose.

Your Next Chapter Awaits
Your journey of reinvention is a personal one, but you don't have to walk it alone. It begins with the decision to see yourself differently and to trust the powerful, experienced woman looking back at you in the mirror.

What step will you take today to master your time and energy? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below, and let’s inspire one another to thrive with purpose.

Call to Action
Watch the "live" YouTube episode with Michelle Niemeyer. Listen to the episode on Spotify or your favourite podcast platform.

Visit Michelle Niemeyer's website with access to Time Bending Tools and Learning Opportunities. Executive Encore subscribers and members of Executive Encore Network for Women receive added bonuses. Subscribe below.

Comment below or share this post to spread the inspiration! What’s your next move? How will you transform this chapter into your most meaningful one yet? 

Next Steps
You don't need to tackle transformation in your Executive Encore alone. Learn about a different and more effective way to take charge of your Executive Encore experience. Learn about consulting and coaching for women-owned businesses to accelerate sustainable growth. Contact me on my website's Contact Page or schedule an Executive Encore: 30-Minute Complimentary Call.

Are you ready to redefine your encore chapter? Share your story in the comments below. Join the Executive Encore Network for Women, a community of supportive women prepared to uplift and inspire. Subscribe to the Sunday Encore below to receive your personal invitation to the Executive Encore Network for Women membership and community. Together, let’s turn uncertainty into unstoppable momentum and build the Executive Encore movement!