Time flies by so fast these days. Wow! To recapture more quality time and less zooming around from one task to another, I made up this list to help you manage your time more efficiently this year. I hope it helps.
We use time in many ways, but saving time will allow you to be more open to other activities that may add more to your quality of life. You could have more time with family. You could travel more. You could work less. Saving time in your day will help you get closer to freeing up for more important things.
Saving Time Tips
Plan your day.
This tip may sound like you need extra time to do this, but you do not. When there is a task list, it keeps you focused, and you are more likely to move from one item to another faster than if you have no direction.
Before leaving work, plan what you will be doing the next day.
You usually know a little bit of what you need to get done so write them down, leave them on your desk before going. The next day, you will start your day quicker.
Double your mindless activities.
What I mean by this is, if you take your kids to dance class and you have an hour waiting for them. Instead of watching YouTube, do a task that needs to get done like, clipping coupons, going to the grocery store, etc...
Prep meals before actually needing them.
Prep breakfast and lunch the night before and Prep dinner in the morning for the evening. Spending a few minutes in the morning will help you be less stressed in the evening and less likely to get Take Out.
Set out the kids bags, lunches, and your clothes for the next day.
Thinking ahead is key (Affiliate Link) to saving time in your day. Better yet, have your kids help pick out their clothes. A perfect time to start this task is in preschool.
Assign a home for everything in your house.
Every item should have a home. And, every family member should know where the object belongs.
Have a divided laundry basket and label it.
Visit my blog post about laundry organization to make your laundry time more streamlined.
Create stations in your home.
Creating stations are task zones which have a particular purpose. There could be a lunch preparing area with baskets and other snacks for the kiddos. There they would be able to put together their lunches for school. You could have an area that holds what's for dinner items. Having a sturdy basket that will contain all the ingredients for dinner that night will save you time preparing the meal.
Remember these tips are not the only ones that will help you save time.
You can create your tips too. Do this by looking at what areas you spend a lot of time doing, break down what is taking the longest time, and find a solution to replace those tasks.
Also, sometimes there's an underlying issue that may be taking up your time.
Think about why you are doing so much and what is necessary for your life. Do you need to watch every episode of a particular show? Do you have to say yes to every invitation?
If you have an issue with saying no, remember that NO is an OK answer!
By saying "no" you are respecting not only the other person because you are telling them the truth about how you feel. You are also respecting yourself and your time. We don't need to do everything people ask us to do. Keep that in mind when you are approached to commit yourself to do something.
I hope this helps you save time this year and allows you to create more quality time with your family and friends. Let's continue the conversation; please leave a comment below on any tips you may have about saving time. I would love to hear from you.
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (Affiliate Link), and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
Linda Samuels says
And of course there's the thought...so if you are more efficient with your time, what will that mean for you? Will it give you more time to relax, to spend time with your family, to be less stressed? Figuring out why you want to "save time" will help motivate you to make the some of the terrific changes you've suggested.
Sabrina Quairoli says
Great point, Linda. Thanks for joining the conversation. =)
Hilda Rodgers says
These are great tips Sabrina! I'm working on doubling my mindless activities (love that term!). I like to delete pics from my phone if I'm sitting somewhere waiting for my kids.
Jill Robson says
I love the"double your mindless activities, i know when we drop off our son for karate, we either have our 45 minute "date night" ( a cup of coffee at our favourite shop) or we walk the dog.
Seana Turner says
I love that you point about planning what you will do at work tomorrow before you leave. Set your space up so you are ready to go when you walk in (even if "work" is a home office!)... it really helps me prepare mentally as well as materially.
Jamie Steele says
So many great tips. I love the "double your mindless activities" tip. I'm calling those moments nooks and crannies. We can accomplish so much when we find the nooks and crannies in our day.