First of all, you need to bear in mind the several tiny compartments of time in your day that are not being used appropriately. For instance, you have the habit of hitting the road at 8:00am. So, you get up at 7:30am and rush through your shower. You have, in so doing, unwittingly made your morning ‘traffic’ intense and too much of a rush. This leaves you no time for anything else.
In other words, you have made haste hastily. You need to have, instead, used this particular slot in time more suitably. Try instead to set your alarm at 5;30am — i.e., two hours before your usual ‘rush-time’ to the shower. Once you turn this into a habit, it will stay with you. It will also add substance to your time with a definite advantage. You will, thereafter, be able to use your time appropriately, and have enough time to savour the delights of everyday life.
You will be able to relish your morning cuppa of coffee, or tea, too. You’ll be able to practice your favourite aerobic routines, or yoga, and meditation. Not only that — you’ll have enough time to delight in your breakfast. Not just gulp it quickly down an unwilling throat, or grab a quick bite on your way out as you did before. Such a planned morning will sure offer you the time to switch on the TV and get yourself updated on the latest news, events, or happenings. Suppose you are the type to pack everything into your afternoon, or evening slot? Just go ahead — no problem. But, try to relax during your lunch-break. Or, go for a walk.
A post-lunch walk will do you a world of good. Also, plan your evening well — and, try to unwind. In addition to this, make sure you have your dinner in a relaxed manner without allocating or wasting time buying some provisions at the last minute. If you do, you’d have lost a precious hour for no reason. Remember — the best thing you’d do is allot the weekend to do your grocery/vegetable/fruit shopping for the week ahead, or for the month. This isn’t all. When you plan things in the following manner, you’ll be able to have everything at your beck and call — and, achieve much more than you do each day.
- Clear the big things first. Don’t sweat the small stuff. This is contrary to the best-selling book, which you may have read. Remember, it is difficult to manage bigger projects, but once you are through with them, the small things will take care of themselves
- Don’t be possessed with unimportant tasks. If you pack yourself with tasks, such as going to the grocer or shopping mall every day, you will waste precious time. Result: you will feel that you have accomplished but little during the course of the day. Little, big things — or, unwanted chores — rob your time. It is best to give them the time only when you don’t have anything else worthwhile to do
- Say no. If you think you are someone who just can’t say no, you are doing yourself a big disfavour. When you don’t have the time for yourself, or cannot help yourself, there is no point in saying yes to someone and getting into a muddle
- Try to delegate tasks. No point in doing everything yourself — we sure cannot just do everything on our own
- Take time off for yourself. If you find yourself only important, but not a priority, you are doing injustice to yourself. You are simply not caring for yourself — this can lead to health problems, such as depression.
Taking time off for yourself, and spending time with your family, eating healthy food, exercising, and enjoying your favourite hobby, or listening to soft, soulful music will bring back the spring and energy into your life. Bear in mind: your health and well-being should always be placed on top of your precedence list. This done, you’ll sure find that it is possible to do everything you need to do in a given day — every day of your life.
Only thing is you need to develop a ‘willing-to-change’ attitude, plan things in advance, and ensure a sense of discipline with your outlook and also time. The change per se will not only help you to become better organised, but also provide you the room to have good quality time at your disposal. This holds good for your workplace priorities and concerns, too — the difference being of degree, if not essentiality alone.
