Add More Time to Your Day

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Are you always tired at the end of the day?  Dread the start of a new day for what has to get done? Feel overwhelmed by the constant demands and struggles that life throws at you?

We all get the same amount of hours each day but some days, that may not feel like enough time. You feel stressed and overwhelmed and need a better solution.

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The following are ways to improve your time management and help bring order to the chaos that everyday life can bring.

16 Time Management Tips to Inspire You

• Track your time
  
  • Write down everything you do in a week and the time you spend on each one. Include work, kid’s activities, gym time, eating, driving, include everything. Be honest with yourself. Doing this can highlight areas that you can change to free up time. For example, if you’re spending too much time watching TV, this will help you identify it so you can change it.

• Know your priorities and goals
  
  • Define what your priorities and goals are. Focus on them.

• Find your productive time
  
  • Studies have shown that the majority of people are more productive in the morning and they can think more clearly. You need to identify your productive time and schedule your more difficult tasks during that time. So, whether you are an early riser or a night owl, use it to your potential.

• Start with rocks first
  
  • There’s a simple idea that states if you fill a jar with rocks first, then pepples and finally sand, they will all fit in a jar. But, if you do the opposite and first fill a jar with sand, then pepples and then rocks, the rocks won’t all fit in the jar.
  • Think of these like your tasks. Rocks are your goals, what’s important in your life. Things like your family, your health, and your faith.
  • Pepples are the less important things in your life. Things like your hobbies and your friends.
  • Sand is the least important things in your life. Things like trying to keep a perfect home, shopping for non-essential items, and watching TV.

• Organize a nightly routine
  
  • Organizing tasks that can be done the night before can include selecting your outfit for the next day, prepping your work or school lunches, or even making breakfast. This site has recipes for six different mason jar oatmeals you can make the night before to then enjoy for breakfast or lunch. I’ve made these before and they’re very tasty.

• Eliminate the non-essential
  
  • For anything that doesn’t benefit your priorities or goals, simply don’t do them. You can’t get more time in a day so focus on what’s important.

• Learn habits
  
  • Doing something every day for a period of time, say 30 days, will eventually make it a habit. When we repeat tasks or behaviors multiple times we become comfortable with them and they become easier, at least in perception. For example, my habit is writing. I’ve been writing every day for a while now so now I enjoy writing each day and I do it without much thought. If you need any help sticking with habits, I strongly recommend reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. Reading this book was the best decision I ever made to strengthening my habits. 193fe8

• Learn to say no
  
  • As parents, we are usually pretty good at saying no to our children. But for whatever reason, we may have trouble saying no to all the other people that ask for our time and attention throughout the day. Try saying no to the things that don’t fit into your goals and priorities. Let the person know that you have other priorities at this time but you might be able to help next time. If it’s still hard to say no, tell someone that you’ll get back to them and this will give you time to think if it’s in your best interests to help or not. It’s easier to take back a no than to take back a yes so make sure you are very confident that you can help when you tell someone yes.

• Set a time per task
  
  • Figure out what needs to get done in a day and then adjust how much time you have for each task. To make it easier, map out time blocks. Designate tasks to be done by specific times of the day such before 11 AM, then tasks to be done by 2 PM and finally the rest to be done by 5 PM.

• Think outside the box when waiting
  
  • We all have time when we’re waiting. It could be waiting in a line, traveling (unless you’re driving), or sitting in a waiting room. Use these times to do other tasks. For example, jot down ideas for a meal plan or write up a to-do list for tomorrow. Just be creative in using your “free” time.

• Keep your to-do list short
  
  • Giving yourself too many things to tackle in a day could overwhelm you and set you up for failure. Start with a list of the five most important things you need to get done. Remember, these five things should align with the priorities and goals you identified. If you are fortunate enough to finish all five things, then start a new list with five more things.

• Stay organized
  
  • There are many apps on our phones now to help with organizing. A calendar app allows you to keep organized on important things that need to get done. I use Google Calendar because I can share the calendar easily with everyone in my family. Evernote is great for organizing recipes. Reminder apps can remind you of an errand you need to make as you’re leaving somewhere. Trello allows you to organize projects and to-do lists.

• Take care of yourself
  
  • It’s important that we get enough sleep and eat healthily. Most studies recommend that we get at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night. For a healthy diet, try cutting out foods with added sugar. A priority that everyone should have is exercising at least 2-3 times per week. Countless studies have shown the benefits of exercise combined with proper sleep and nutrition, will provide us with the energy needed to tackle each day.

• Give yourself quick breaks
  
  • Don’t work yourself too hard. Allow yourself small breaks (5-10 minutes) between tasks. Use this as your recharge time and do something you enjoy such as reading your favorite blog.

• Block out distractions
  
  • Living in a connected world, we have distractions from our phone, social media, or other electronics. Whatever it is, you need to set limits so that it doesn’t distract you. Turning off a phone or putting it in a different room may help. If your distraction involves your family, you might need to work in a quiet area or head out to a library.

• Delegate
  
  • Whether it is a spouse or kids, put them to work. Have a discussion and see how your family can help. This site has a very helpful guide that shows at what age kids can start doing certain chores.

As hard as these may sound, you are here for a reason and you want calm and order in your life. Start slow. Be open to change. Have patience. Challenge yourself. Better days will come.

Do you have any ideas on how you can have more time?

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