20 Ways to Create More Time for Yourself

It’s year 2011. Probably if you like me were not able to do everything you wanted to do last year because of time. Guess what, I have realized there will never be time. Having identified the activities with which you want to do for the year, the challenge is to move from optimistic theory to actual practice. The following suggestions may help you to do that.

1. KEEP A DAILY TO-DO LIST

It is better you number items according to the order in which you will handle them. Indicate items that are worth spending more time on. Check off each item when it is completed. When you are unable to meet up, it’s no crime in carrying over unfinished tasks to tomorrow’s list.

2. SYNCHRONISE YOUR CALENDARS

It’s a Smartphone, better make use of it smartly, don’t risk missing an appointment because it is only in your physical calendar.

3. WRITE AN “ACTION PLAN”

It should consist of all the steps involved in your project and put these in their proper sequence.

4. GENERALLY, SCHEDULE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT TASKS FIRST

It will be easier to find time for the less important ones.

5. SET GOALS OVER WHICH YOU HAVE A LARGE DEGREE OF CONTROL

You have more control over increasing your skill at a certain job than trying to multitask yourself.

6. ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Do favor activities that yield the most important results. If you cannot eliminate or delegate them, see if you can spend less time on them. Some unimportant tasks can wait for months if necessary, or they may not need to be done at all. Allocate as much time as possible to those activities that are related to what you feel is truly worthwhile in light of your goals.

7. KEEP A TIME LOG

To find out where your time is going, keep a time log for one or two weeks. Is much time lost on important activities? Eliminate time-wasting activities that have crept in.

8. SCHEDULE LESS

If you plan to shop for food, fix the car, entertain friends, see a movie, and catch up on reading- all in one day-you will feel rushed and will likely enjoy nothing.

9. MINIMIZE INTERRUPTIONS

Block off a portion of time each day during which you are not to be interrupted unless it is absolutely necessary. If possible, turn off your phone during this time though I rarely do this myself.

10. SCHEDULE THE MOST CHALLENGING WORK FOR THE TIME OF DAY WHEN YOU ARE MOST ENERGETIC AND ALERT

11. DO THE MOST UNPLEASANT TASK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Once it is out of the way, you will feel more energized to work through the less-challenging activities.

12. ALLOW TIME FOR THE UNEXPECTED

If you feel that you can arrive at a place within about 15 minutes, promise to be there within 25. Trust me this works and also if you believe an appointment will take an hour, allow an hour and 20 minutes. Leave a portion of your day unscheduled.

13. USE TRANSITION TIME

Listen to the news often probably in your car stereo. Read while waiting for your ride or while riding. I advise you don’t waste that time.

14. APPLY THE 80/20 RULE OF THUMB*

Yes the 80/20 rule of thumb also known as the Pareto Principle. Make sure that 80% of the results come from about 20% of the effort. You can apply this simply by making sure that 2 out of 10 items on your to-do-list are the most important.

15. WHEN YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED WITH WORK, write each task on a sheet of paper or your diary. Then divide the sheet into two groups; “Action Today” and “Action Tomorrow.” When tomorrow comes, do the same.

16. PERIODICALLY, TAKE TIME OFF TO “RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES”

Returning to work with a refreshed mind and body might prove more productive than hours of overtime.

17. THINK ON PAPER

Write down a problem, describe why it is disturbing you, and list as many solutions as you think of.

18. DON’T BE A PERFECTIONIST

Know when it is time to stop and move on the next important activity.

19. WORK LIKE A PROFESSIONAL

Don’t wait for the right mood. Just start working.

20. BE FLEXIBLE

These are suggestions, not hard-and-fast rules. Experiment, find out what works, and customize ideas to your circumstances and needs.

Do you have any useful tips you can share? Leave your comments and remember to subscribe to follow up comments.

Article sourced from The Awake! Magazine