Letting Go
of Mum Guilt: A Lesson from Siw Malmkvist
As you may know, Siw
Malmkvist has been a celebrated entertainer for over six decades and has lived
a life full of music, laughter, and performances.
What you may not know, is that she often felt guilty leaving her kids with their father for evening
performances. When her children were grown, they told her they never felt
abandoned or lacking. The guilt she carried was entirely self-imposed.
If you ever feel guilt, especially mum guilt, I hope you can recognize it for what it
is—a narrative we’ve created ourselves.
Prioritise
your well being and that of your family.
Enjoy the moments, big and small,
without regret.
Siw
Malmkvist shows us that a fulfilling life is possible when we embrace both
our passions and our roles as parents. 😊
PS. During the 1970s, when Siw was
touring Germany, she stumbled upon a promotional sign that read: "Siw
Malmkvist – die grosse Knüller aus Schweden." When she learned what Knüller meant in German and that it wasn’t at all
what it sounded like in Swedish, she could laugh about it. 😊
In this week's video, I help you find the right level of planning using insights from Alan Lakein’s How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, along with my own thoughts.
Alan emphasizes that control starts with planning. As I’ve mentioned before, more control leads to more freedom.
First, accept that while your time is limited, your imagination and commitments aren't. With just 168 hours each week, it's essential to choose wisely how to use them. As Alan says, planning is decision-making.
To gain control and freedom in your life, become a good decision-maker.
In the past, lives were often dictated by traditions and social class, limiting choices. Today, we face many more decisions, which can be overwhelming.
Deciding can be difficult due to conflicts between short- and long-term goals and competing rational, emotional, and physical needs. On top of that Everyone wants some of our time.
It's crucial to recognize what’s within our control and what isn't. Focusing on what you can control expands your influence.
Alan describes three approaches to time management:
Drifting (letting things happen),
Drowning (feeling overwhelmed), or
Deciding (making conscious choices).
To decide effectively, regularly ask yourself: What's the best use of my time right now?
This habit helps you make intentional decisions throughout the day.
Good planning maximizes benefits from minimal time investment.
It takes practice to become a skilled planner. Planning involves listing tasks and prioritizing them. Alan suggests using an ABC system for priorities: A for most important tasks, B for less important, and C for least important.
Keep in mind that priorities change over time. What’s critical today may not be tomorrow. Focus on high-value tasks rather than simply completing many low-value ones.
Planning should encompass both daily tasks and lifetime goals. (I’ll talk more about lifetime goals in a future video post.) It’s beneficial to plan at the end of each day or early in the morning and review your week ahead at the end of each week.
Ultimately, planning is where control begins—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
In a world with more choices than ever, deciding how to spend your time can be challenging. With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Yet, mastering the art of decision-making is key to finding freedom and balance.
Accept that your time is limited, and make intentional choices about where to focus your energy. With thoughtful planning, you can maximize the benefits of the time you invest and lead a more fulfilling life.
I hope this helps you on your planning journey!
Would you like tailored help?
Send me an email or book a short intro call to see if and how I can help.
