Oh, what we wouldn't do for an extra hour (or two) in our running-at-the-speed-of-light day. If you schedule your week in advance, pay close attention to how you are spending your time in the first place, and delegate, delegate, delegate (hello, offspring!) it's easy to carve out some time for the person who needs it the most: you.
1. Use your commute time. I'm not a huge fan of multi-tasking, but using your commute time for something else is an exception. This can be a great time to do a mindfulness meditation practice: use the time you spend to get to work to simply hear, feel and notice the details around you. You could also use this time to plan out your day, make a phone call, or listen to a book.
2. Plan your week in advance and cut out any meetings, appointments, calls, tasks or events that are not absolutely necessary. (Remember, if your RSVP is not an enthusiastic "hell yeah!" then make it a confident, but polite, "No thank you!")
3. Circle any tasks on your to do list that you can delegate. (And then do it!) Sometimes, it just feels easier to do things ourselves. But if you can get in the habit of asking other people (colleagues, partners, roommates, etc.) to lighten your load where possible, you will be thankful you did.
4. Keep a time diary to figure out how you are spending your time. Do you spend an unnecessary 90 minutes a day checking Facebook, Twitter, or your email? Your laptop, smartphone, or computer vortex can suck you in and swallow you whole for an hour before it spits you back out and you realize that you even left. Spend one day writing down how you spend your time; it might surprise you.
5. Check your email at designated times each day. You'll save a tremendous amount of time if you check your email four times a day, or even every hour instead of every 15 minutes. Ask yourself: How often do I really need to check and respond to email?
6. Consolidate your errands. Write down the errands that you usually complete each week (pharmacy, grocery, drycleaners, bank, etc) and make a schedule that saves time. Complete all of your errands on one day, or make Monday the "close to work" errands and Tuesday the "close to home" errands.
7. Cut down on a bit of your TV time. Pay attention to how much time you spend watching TV each week. Do you really need to log in fourteen hours a week in front of the tube? Cutting out even just a little of that time can free up extra hours for reading, relaxing, exercising, spending time with friends or family, or just doing nothing.
8. Eliminate unnecessary social media time. Again, write it down and keep track. How much time do you spend every day on social media? Is that really necessary? I recently stopped checking Facebook every day...it was a habit more than anything else. Do I feel like I am missing something? Nope. Do I have more time do other things? Absolutely.
9. Teach your kids to help out with household chores. My favorite strategy is the trash bag trick: Every couple of days, I take a big plastic trash bag and tell my kids that whatever toys are left on the floor are going in the We're Giving This Away Bag. They clean up pretty quickly.
10. Wake up early to read the paper in peace, exercise, or meditate. (In this case: Do as I say, not as I do.) I have a very hard time waking up early to do anything without feeling exhausted by the end of the day. I enjoy the peace and quiet in the morning, but I do feel the lack of sleep later. However, this tip works really well for a lot of people. If you can get yourself out of bed early, the time is all yours!
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I have a whopping seven minute commute. A few months ago, work was really really busy and I found that the seven minutes was not enough to help me separate from work mode and get into home mode. I found that the simple act of changing my route (there are lots of side streets that I can take home) turned my seven minutes into a little adventure that got me out of work mode and into play mode. Amazing what a little tiny thing can do to effect how your time works for you.
Working on an incredibly busy project, with way too much email, means that checking my email 3 or 4 times a day is not possible nor practical. People freak if they can't get ahold of someone. Sad really.
SUSANINTORONTO - I know people can be like this -- And because they are -- I rebel (and you shoudl too!)-- I can do this because I work for myself and largely create my own work culture. But my clients do not expect me to be at their beckon call (why should I be - they don't pay me for that) and I don't answer the work calls outside of normal business hours. Period. I make my schedule and work in a way that works for me.... Sometimes you have to train people how to treat you.
I know it is hard to buck a corporate/project culture, but I truly believe that this kind of mentality (where people think you should be available to everyone whenever they want you) is insane and no way to live.
@KJT1211 You're the first person I've ever heard that wanted a LONGER commute! Lucky you :D
(I get the work mode detach time - it just sounds funny)
I'm really loving this article. Sometimes I designate a "Do Nothing Day". I even pencil it in my organizer. Bliss.
Please, DON'T use your commute time to make phone calls if you drive. Distracted driving is a major factor behind collisions (I refuse to call them "accidents") that cause injury and death to you, your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. I would like us someday to take distracted driving as seriously as we take drunk driving. Bus, subway, foot....that's another matter. (But even then, pay attention and remember your etiquette!)
@ susanintoronto
On people freaking if they can't reach you immediately via e-mail, I had the same problem initially but after a while (and a bit of training) everyone mostly got used to it. I informed those I work with most frequently, and included my schedule in my e-mail signature for 100% transparency. People now know they may have to wait for 3 hours before receiving a response (and if it's that urgent, there's always the phone!).
These days I only check my e-mail at 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm and 5 pm, write down any actions from incoming e-mails in my to-do list, and work quietly and uninterrupted for long stretches of time. As I now am more productive no one can complain about my new habit, and I also feel much less stressed and happier!
I agree this may not be for everyone, but it can pay off really giving it a try!
I totally gree with Rochelle! Think about it, if you are "used to" certain people responding your texts/emails within a few minutes, but others generally respond within 24 hours, do you get upset if the 24-hour response people don't get back to you in a few mins? Probably not (unless it really is urgent, in which case you should probably call them). But if the people who usually respond within a few mins don't get back to you in a few hours, you feel a little put-off, don't you? Well, you, my friend, have been trained by them! And you can do it to others!
*agree (lol)
@kjt1211 I laughed out loud when I read your post. At one point I had a 140-mile, three+ hour commute (round trip). The last part in the morning and first in the afternoon was in heavy traffic in a congested city. It wore me out, but one thing I remember fondly about it was the time to think, the time to plan, the time (only on the open road) to talk on the phone, the time to listen to audio books or music, the time for quiet. It was a great separation between work and home/my life (especially in the afternoon). I changed jobs and took one that is 7-14 minutes from work, depending on two lights that can make that much difference! Some days I do not have enough time to decompress between work and home/my life. Who knows, maybe I'll think of your post next time one or both of those lights delay my arrival and be happier about that delay! ;-)
I don't have a smartphone. I feel like having one really would make people able to contact me at any time. It's nice to NOT be on email & facebook & twitter etc 24-7. If I'm away from my desk, I can't check it. Plus, I rarely pay much attention to my cell phone & half the time I forget where it's at... so I think that getting rid of the smartphone might be a way to gain back more time for a lot of people.
Avoid surfing the net. This may gain you a couple of hours each day!
Agree with RuadSarah - cutting out the smartphone does wonders for your sanity. Avoiding things like Twitter or the constant interruptions of email do the same. (Tip: Turn off the new email notification sound in Outlook. This alone works wonders, by putting the control back in your court and making you feel less stressed.)
And for KJT1211 with the 7-minute commute: If you're lucky enough to have such a short commute time, try walking! Or cycling! I used to have a 30-minute walk to and from work in each direction, and it was great, because rain or shine, snow or sleet, traffic or no traffic, I never had to worry about getting to and from. I'd just go. And it was my favourite hour of my day. These days, I have a 30-minute cycle to and from work, which, though it requires a bit more brainpower than walking, also accomplishes much the same thing. It's amazing how much more refreshing those two methods of transportation are, versus the hassles of driving or public transit. Walking especially allows you to get out of the "work" headspace and take stock of the day. Plus, both walking and cycling double as exercise, saving you time at the gym!
@ruadsarah I totally agree! I got rid of my firm-issued blackberry after switching jobs a few years back and have never replaced it with a smartphone. I deal with my evening emails all at once when I get to the office in the morning and that works just fine. I know I have more time in the evenings after work because I'm not responding to every email at every minute of the day. I also think that smartphones can make us feel like we never have enough time because there is always something competing for our attention. It's not relaxing to sit down with a book, or meet up with a friend, if you're constantly checking email or texting.
Also, I totally agree with #7 on this list! It's been almost 5 years since I've owned a TV and I've never missed it. Plus, it's so much easier to decorate my living room without that ugly thing around :)
I've had short commutes (13 minute walk) and longer commutes (currently one hour split between subway and walking). I find that the trick is to have some landmark and tell yourself, when I get to this (subway stop/building/intersection), I'll turn my thoughts to home, even if it's just mulling over what I'm going to make for dinner, anything to have that work/home mode transition.
I would be hopeless at working from home!
I love my smartphone! It saves me time and energy. The world is at my fingertips. I can and do choose when to answer call, when to make calls, when to check e-mail, when to check facebook, etc. It is also my kitchen timer when cooking, my alarm clock when traveling and at lunch (so I don't get engrossed in what I am doing and forget to come back, so it allows me to relax), a camera to capture rare moments and info (like where I parked in a garage), a clock for the time, a quick check of the temp or a little deeper check of the weather, a quick text (which can save time), a photo gallery, a calculator, music for when I'm somewhere and need music, a dictionary (love that app), a calendar, the news, a way to retrieve important files I have downloaded to it (and I'm not talking for work here), a place to check scores of games I am interested in, my airline ticket, a map (or gps), a phone book (I haven't pulled the paper version in a couple of years now), the Internet to look up something being discussed, a way to stay connected to those I love... I have had my smart phone since April 2011, finally giving in after holding back for at least a year, and I am so glad I have it. I recognize it is not something everyone needs, but it is helpful in my busy life (oh, and I'm working on my third Master's degree, and it helps with that also). The key is to make it work for you, and I do!
Re: delegating to offspring, careful with that one. Too many parents delegate too much to their children, treating them like workhorses, to the point of exploitation and abuse.
Re: delegating to others, again, tread very carefully. I've flat-out dumped friends who WAY wore out their welcome with constant requests for favours and help. You do not want a reputation as a mooch.
Why isn't "re-think your must-dos v. your should- or want-to-dos" at the top of this list.
Alternately just celebrate the time the time you spend on the things you already love. Who cares if you spend 10 hours a week on tv. If it makes you happy, just do it! I read posts like this and end up feeling bad for not spending every moment of my waking time doing something constructive. Does it really matter!? Hooray for inane and pointless past-times!
I have a smartphone but have turned off all email & social networking sync options. The applications are there on my phone if I want to manually check them, but nothing updates me automatically. I am not sure some people even know that is an option ;)
At one time I was lucky enough to live close to my job. The walk home after work took 30 minutes and was great exercise as well as decompression time.
To paraphrase Eleanor Roosevelt: "No one can require you to immediately respond to their texts and e-mails without your consent."
I own a TracFone, which I only keep because I walk my dog into the deep woods in the wintertime, and sometimes fear I'll fall and break my ankle and freeze to death. Plus, it's handy if I'm taking a long road trip. I use it maybe ten times a year.
People won't die if they have to wait six hours for you to answer an e-mail. Your business won't fail if clients don't have access to you 24/7. If you allow your clients to treat you like their slave, that's your decision. If you allow your boss to interrupt your home life and social activities, that's a choice you make.
Unless you're a brain surgeon or the guy who delivers the heart transplant, your work really isn't so important that you can't take a bit of time away. Sometimes I think that we love the "urgency" of our technological contact because it allows us to believe that our work is extremely urgent. Self-importance? Maybe.
You know, you could remedy step number 10 by going to bed earlier.
Crazy thought I know.
@Jagerstar --that sounds so easy. But as someone whose brain and creativity functions much better later in the day, I have to say it isn't quite so simple to turn it off at 9:30 or 10:00. I keep trying, and then find myself listening to my husband snore approximately four minutes after his head hits the pillow.
I can totally relate to this post! As someone who has a full-time job, is training for a marathon, and just started a design blog (www.riotfordesign.blogspot.com) I feel like I never have any time anymore! I've started running home from work to get my miles in during "commute" time. But I'm not giving up my TV time... Oh I wish sleep weren't such a necessity!
I don't have a smartphone. I'm cheap.
Maybe spend less time on AT site??? :)
Good heavens, don't use your commute time to make phone calls if you're driving. Having recently lost someone I love in a distracted car accident, that gives me the shivers. It really does happen.
I have recently put a moratorium on work after hours. Net surfing is OK, mindless TV, baseball on the radio, going to bed with a good book - these are fine after 5:30 (along with cooking and eating dinner with my family, which was standard practice). Yes, I do feel somewhat more stressed some days because of this, but only AT WORK. I don't feel stressed at all once I'm home. It's fabulous.
But ... but ... if I don't check my work email from home, I have one less excuse ... I mean, "reason" ... to put off doing the housework! Heh heh...
(speaking of which, I managed to wean myself away from the computer last night and catch up on a top-to-bottom cleaning; I have to admit, if you've put if off for a while, you forget how much better your home looks, and how much more you enjoy it, when it's tidy and squeaky-clean)
I am a firm believer in "quiet time". I religiously wake up an hour earlier than my (awesome) husband so i can read, do little chores, cuddle with the cat, or generally putter around. It really is the only hour of the day that is devoid of conversation, media,
and obligation. Without my quiet time i think i'd be in a straight jacket!
"Re: delegating to offspring, careful with that one. Too many parents delegate too much to their children, treating them like workhorses, to the point of exploitation and abuse."
Really? I know no families where this is the case. To be fair, some of the kids we know have many extra-curricular activities, and a few have considerable amounts of homework.
In no families in our large acquaintance do any of the kids do their fair share of the household chores, including mine. I'm okay with that, because they need more peer time, play time, chill time than I do to stay peaceful. I am sure exploitive parents exist, but I can't believe it is common.
I second the AT browsing comment! I have to limit myself to two (maybe three!) pages at a sitting. :)
I also have found that shopping at my local hardware store rather than Home Depot is a big time-saver because I can park right in front and pop in and out in 30 minutes instead of an hour... although I suppose the miles of walking around Home Depot's parking lot and mammoth aisles could count as exercise as well.
Not having a TV or a smartphone both reduce the time crunch in my life. I've been holding out against smartphones for a long while now, but my provider might be outsmarting me. Verizon Wireless offers fewer and fewer "dumb phones" as time passes. Once those are phased out entirely, I doubt I'll be able to buy a phone plan WITHOUT paying for the data stream I will refuse to use.
Maybe at that point I'll ditch the phone altogether and just keep a throwaway phone around for safety when I'm out of the house.
Not to be totally off topic, but after looking at that cozy picture I now feel compelled to go buy a pair of clogs! I guess not tying or untying shoes would save me some time in my day : )
And this topic has everything to do with AT, because one needs time in one's day if one is to decorate and DIY and think up IKEA hacks, etc
Definitely 7,8 and 9!!!
I live on an island in Maine for half the year where you kind of have to slow down as most cellular service doesn't work here. What I have discovered is so many people can't even take time out to get together for a walk or a meal...even those without children. We've all become way too "busy" and forgotten what life is about.
I agree with the comments against #1. If there is EVER a time to not multi-task, its while driving. Your commute serves one purpose - to get you from point A to point B - and it your duty as a driver to do that safely for both yourself AND the others on the road.
Other then a quick "Leaving work, need me to pick up anything on the way home?" phone call my boyfriend, I HATE talking on the phone after work. I need that 30 minutes to sing along with the radio and just drive away physically and mentally, from work. Unless I'm expecting something important, my work phone stays in my bag, on vibrate, once I'm home.
Although I completely agree with you regarding phone use while driving, Ivlichelle, "commute" does not necessarily equal "driving". Lots of people commute by foot, bike, or public transportation.
I like the shoes, clogs, in the photo. Where?