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July 21, 20081) Wake up early. Set your alarm clock for 10 minutes earlier than you normally do to get an early start on your day. Get up when the alarm sounds.
2) Time your showers/bath. Most people take way more time in the shower than is needed. Set your timer for 5 minutes. When the timer sounds, your shower is done. (Be really productive and take an extra minute to wipe down the shower/bath before you get out. See #5 below. )
3) Just like when you were little, plan your outfits the night before. Hang whatever you are going to wear on the door of your closet. When you are ready in the morning to get dressed, your outfit will be waiting for you.
4) Never run just one errand. Always combine at least two to three errands in one trip. Start with the errand furthest away, and then work your way back.
5) Clean and organize as you go. Rather than giving yourself huge cleaning jobs each week, as you make a mess quickly clean it up. Dirty dishes can be rinsed immediately and placed in the dishwasher. Wipe off the bathroom countertop and spray the shower with shower spray as soon as you are done. Make your bed as soon as you get up. File papers away as needed, rather than allowing them to pile up in a To Be Filed tray.
6) Consolidate your phone calls. Rather than making and taking calls throughout the day, allow your answering machine to field your calls. Then, make or return calls during one consistently scheduled phone hour each day, such as between 2:00P and 3:00P (after lunch hours).
7) Make and use written lists. Do not try to remember everything you have to do. Always jot down tasks, errands and things to pick up. Use calendars to help you remember and To-DO lists. (See the articles references below for how-to’s and tips.)
When you are cooking Cook enough for two meals. No matter what you are cooking–breakfast, lunch or dinner–always cook enough for two meals. When everything is prepared and done, divide it in half. Immediately refrigerate or freeze the one-half, and enjoy the other half now.
9) Enlist help. Do not be afraid or too proud to ask for help. Whoever is living in your house, whether that person is a spouse, a child, a friend or a relative–that person should be able to help you get things done in one way or another. A spouse can help with the kids’ bath times every other night. A child can help fold clothes, help dust or help put toys away. Someone who is not able to help physically, may still be able to sit at a desk and help you sort the mail or shred some documents. It should definitely be a team effort and not a one-man or one-woman show.
10) Reward yourself!! There is nothing more draining than going through an entire day without doing a single thing that is fun. Sandwich small rewards between each task. For instance, when you are done with the ironing, read your favorite novel for 15 minutes. Or watch your favorite TV show for 30 minutes. When you are done cleaning the bathroom, sit in on the deck while you relax and sip a cup of iced tea.
See also:
“Time is Valuable…How Are You Using Yours? 10 Tips”
And other fascinating (!) Time Management Articles, by yours truly, HERE!!
