Taking Control of Your Time!

There are 24 hours in a day.   This just isn’t enough.

I recently read an article about Time Management on Biznik, and they estimated during the last 25 years, our leisure time has declined by 37% while our workweek has increased by a full day!  The American’s Use of Time Project at the University of Maryland revealed the average American spends more than 20 hours per week on housework.  According to the National Association of Professional Organizers- housework can decrease by 40% just by being organized… I like the number decreasing rather than increasing!

In the last year, managing my time has been a struggle.. With working on my business, taking care of a family and a home, I am constantly looking for ways to manage my time more efficiently.  This is a work in progress!  In doing research about time management, I found some really great tips!  New tips, that I am going to start today….

Here are of my 5 top favorite tips:

1.  Record TV Shows- I am going to make this a habit.  Choose the shows that mean most to you and watch them when it is convenient for you.  Skip the commercials!  Turning the TV off 1 hour per week gives you 52 extra hours in a year.

2.  Do it Now- Procrastination!  Easy to do, hard to overcome!  If you can do it now, get it done, get it off your list.

3.  Know your priorities- Regardless of how many hours are in the day, how we spend those hours, ulitmately is still up to us.  We decide.  Know your priorities and stick to them.  With priorities come boundaries – say No when you need to…

4.  Set deadlines- Put it on the calender!  Hold yourself accountable for your time.

5.  Don’t pick up-  Just because the phone is ringing does not mean you have to pick it up!  Just because you received a new email, does not mean you need to read it right now!  Do it when it’s convenient for you.

( The two articles referenced in this blog post, come from: Biznik and the Busy Mom’s Guide to a Happy, Organized Home written by Kathy Peel. )

There were several other tips referenced in these resources, some I am already doing, some that I will certainly try.  What about you?  I would love to hear from others about what works for them.  This is an issue we all can get better at!

Happy Organizing!