When
faced with a busy schedule and hefty to-do list, we often find ourselves
uttering the infamous words, “I don’t have time.” The oldest excuse in the book
but, arguably, often valid.
اضافة اعلان
Sometimes
it is about working smarter, not harder. Here are a few time-saving life hacks
that can make room for the tasks you cannot seem to fit into your schedule.
Build
a routine
Humans are creatures of habit, meaning actions become easier to accomplish after routines
are established and locked in. For example, if you get accustomed to going to
the gym straight after work for a month, you will start packing your gym bag
and making your way there on what feels like autopilot.
Making
a chore a fixed component of your weekly schedule will free you from the mental
strain of figuring out its logistics. As you work on cementing habits, set multiple
alarms for recurring tasks to get the momentum going. This will remind you to
stay focused, solidifying your routine.
Operate
in 50/10 time slots
We achieve
maximum productivity once we find the ideal balance between work and rest. A
CTA-certified life balance coach, Lauren Zoeller, suggests using the 50/10
method to overcome work fatigue. The rule is to set a timer for 50 minutes, during
which you focus all your energy on a specific task. During these 50 minutes, eliminate
potential interruptions and distractions, including other work. When the alarm
goes off, you take a 10-minute break to recharge.
Zoeller
spoke to
NBC News about
this method, claiming when “done correctly, you will increase the amount of
work you can accomplish while also taking care of yourself in the process.”
As you work on cementing habits, set multiple alarms for recurring tasks to get the momentum going. (Photo: Pixabay)
Making
time for regular, sufficient breaks has proven to be essential in preventing
yourself from wasting time. At first, you might feel guilty for resting but, in
reality, you are actually preventing burnout by refueling between 50-minute
bursts of productivity.
Create a playlist for your morning routine
Instead
of setting multiple morning alarms and rushing around the house in silence,
create a soundtrack for your morning routine. Assign a song or two for each
task: once a new song begins, move to the next part of your
routine without
having to keep an eye on the time.
Test out
your playlist during your morning routine and take it as an opportunity to
prioritize and rethink your habits altogether. Consider how much time you spend
on different tasks, and whether each one is essential. Adjust and drop tasks
accordingly to cut down the time you spend getting ready every day.
Don’t
let the little pockets of free time go to waste
Get
into the habit of writing a to-do list, making sure to include the seemingly
small two-minute tasks that often go undone. It is wise to prioritize and allocate
the proper timeslots for bigger responsibilities, leaving the smaller, unscheduled
tasks to be completed during unutilized extra time.
Picture
this: You are meeting your friends and, as usual, you are the first one to arrive.
Instead of killing time sitting in your car or scrolling aimlessly through
social media, take out your handy to-do list and get a few items ticked off. Schedule
a doctor’s appointment or jot down groceries you need to restock on while you
wait.
Tackle
your to-dos in batches
Complete
smaller responsibilities in batches. Line up similar tasks, like a few
necessary phone calls you have been putting off, and get them out of the way in
one sitting.
This also works well with errands that need to be run in the same
area. Achieve satisfaction and save yourself time, gas, and effort by grouping
tasks together.
By creating to-do lists, you can allocate the time you need to accomplish larger tasks. (Photo: Pic Jumbo)
There is no time like the present
When
a practical, quick task falls in your lap, take care of it immediately instead procrastinating.
This is particularly effective with chores like bills, emails, and taking out
the trash. Getting them done in the moment prevents them from piling up and hanging
over your head. This technique can also alleviate the stress and anxiety of
having too much to do.
Reorganize your space with
efficiency in mind
A
good filing system will prevent you from wasting time looking for objects in
unorganized cupboards and drawers. Whether you prefer color coding, labelling,
or compartmentalizing, reorganizing your space will help salvage time otherwise
wasted on digging through messy closets.
(Photo: Shutterstock)
The
kitchen is one of the rooms worth reorganizing the most. Save yourself time and
effort by storing items in a way that is tailored to your needs. For example,
keep the cooking utensils you use every day in a jar on the countertop near the
stove. You could also set up a coffee station to prepare your morning brew as
quick as possible before heading out in the morning.
Meal
prep for the week
People
often underestimate the amount of time wasted preparing meals. If you plan your
food in advance, though, you could limit your grocery shopping to once a week. Minimize
your prep work in small ways like thawing frozen meat and soaking rice before
cooking.
Consider
cooking bigger portions, enough for two or three days, to spend less time in
the kitchen. There is an abundance of recipes online for an easy breakfast or
office-friendly meals that can all be made in one day, setting you up for the
whole week.
Deep clean your routine
The
point is, we often get stuck in our ways, unaware of the amount of time we misuse.
This is your sign to identify where your daily routine falls short and modify
accordingly. You will feel better after freeing up an hour a day to spend as
you please, rather than having it go to waste as a result of poor
time-management.
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