20 Ways To Create More Time

20 Ways To Create More Time

"Jumping around and splashing in the water doesn't mean you're swimming," writes author Michael LeBoeuf. In essence, there is a vast difference between being active and accomplishing something worthwhile.

Evaluate your last week. Ask yourself these questions :

-For what did you make time?
-For what were you too busy?
-Do you see a need to create more time for the things that you sincerely care about?

Many people are under pressure to do what must be done and this may have nothing to do with what is truly important to them. It may have everything to do with meeting the demands of the moment such as fixing the car, satisfying the boss, handling unexpected interruptions. As you dash from one crises to another you may feel like you have no control over how your time is spent. You may even feel as if your are rushing through life without experiencing it.

Realistically the world around you is not likely to slow down. However you can take action in creating the time you need. After having identified the activities with which you choose to fill your days and hours, the challenge is to move from optimistic theory to actual practice. The suggestions in this lens may aid you in accomplishing this.

20 Ways To Create More Time

Creating A Work Life Balance

1 : Keep A Daily To-Do List. Itemise your list according to how you will handle each task. Indicate tasks that are worth spending more time on. Check off each task as it's completed. Carry over unfinished tasks to tomorrow's list. Discipline is vital especially if you are in home based business.

2 : Synchronize Your Calendars : Don't risk missing an appointment because it is only recorded in your main calendar. If you have a calendar in your computer and another in a handheld device, consider synchronizing the two. Perhaps have your alarm set on your mobile alerting you to appointments that are crucial for that day.

3 : Write An "Action Plan" : This plan incorporates all the steps involved in a project. Put these in their proper sequence.

4 : Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First : It will be easier to find time for the less important tasks.

5 : Set Goals Over Which You Have A Large Degree Of Control : You have more control over increasing your skill at a certain job than over becoming president of your corporation overnight.

6 : Acknowledge That You Will Not Have Time For Everything : Lean towards activities that yield the most important results. However there may be other tasks that are not as urgent but still need to be done. If you cannot eliminate or delegate these tasks, assess if you can spend less time focusing on them. If necessary, some unimportant tasks can wait for months or they need not be done at all. Allocate as much time as possible to activities that you value as genuinely worthwhile in view of your goals.

7 : Keep A Time Log : To learn where your time is going, keep a time log for one or two weeks. Perhaps a lot of time is lost on unimportant activities. Maybe many interruptions or distractions come from the same individuals. Are you most likely to be interrupted during a certain part of the day or week? Eliminate time wasting activities that have crept in.

8 : Schedule Less : Planning to shop for groceries, attend to the car, entertain friends, view a movie and catch up on reading all in one day will make you feel rushed and you will most probably end up enjoying nothing at all.

9 : Minimize Interruptions : Block off a portion of time each day where you are not to be interrupted unless it is absolutely essential. If possible turn off your phone as well as electronic pop-up alerts at this time, if they tend to interrupt your work.

10 : Schedule The Most Challenging Work : To ensure premium productivity, schedule the most challenging work for the time of day when you are most energetic and alert.

11 : Do The Most Unpleasant Task First : Doing the least pleasant task first, gets it out of the way and you will feel more energised to work through the less-challenging activities.

12 : Allow Time For Unexpected Occurrences : If you need to arrive at a certain destination within 15 minutes promise to be there within 25 minutes. If you believe that an appointment will take an hour, allow yourself an hour and 20 minutes. Leave a portion of your day unscheduled.

13 : Make Use Of Transition Time : Listen to the news or a recording while shaving. Read while waiting for a train or when travelling on it. Don't waste this valuable time and then stress over lost time.

14 : Apply The 80/20 "Pareto Principle" Rule : Is it possible that only 2 tasks out of your list of 10 are essential? Can you tick off a task as completed when you have only given attention to the most important aspects of it? To illustrate : when a carpet is vacuumed, about 80 percent of the dirt collected is likely to be from 20 percent of the carpet; the high traffic areas.

15 : When You Feel Overwhelmed With Work : Consider writing each task on a card. Then divide the cards into two groups. Name the first group 'Action Today' and the second, 'Action Tomorrow'. Follow this pattern on each particular day.

16 : Take Time Off To Recharge : Condition yourself to take regular breaks getting fresh air and exercise. Returning to work with a refreshed mind and body may prove to be more productive than hours of overtime.

17 : Think On Paper : Write down a problem. Describe why it is disturbing you. List as many solutions as you can think of.

18 : Refrain From Being A Perfectionist : Know when it is time to stop and move on to the next vital task at hand.

19 : Work Like A Professional : This is particularly important if you work at home. Don't wait for the right mood, just start working.

20 : Be Flexible : These are ideas and suggestions to make better use of your time, not rules carved in stone. Experiment and find what works for you. Customise ideas to your particular circumstances and requirements.

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Helpful Media Resources

You have to buy out the opportune time for getting things done. If you wait around for the "perfect time" to do something, you'll never get it done and you won't feel a sense of accomplishment or purpose. Choose to take action today.
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Working At Home Vs Commuting To A Job

Are you concerned about the environment? Have you considered your carbon footprint recently? Perhaps you are more anxious about the lengthy unproductive commutes you make to and from the office in addition to the gruelling hours you spend working in an unhealthy, office environment?

There is no doubt about it, work at home entrepreneurs are far more relaxed, enjoy more quality time with their loved ones and have control over when they work and how often they work. There are plenty of business opportunities available to individuals seeking to work from home. We encourage you to do your due diligence and research to determine what will work for you.

We came across an online business that enables anyone to market anything to anyone worldwide. Complete with regularly updated training both online and via weekly calls, personal mentors and cutting edge marketing education to keep you ahead of the curve. You can find out more about the business opportunity here.

Timely Quote

"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." - Carl Sandburg

Work At Home With Your Family

With commuting stress and transport costs at a premium in these uncertain economic times, why not choose to work at home? Create more time for you and your family, by eliminating unnecessary travel costs, reducing your carbon footprint and living a life that you design.

“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson”

Sustainablog

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Important!

Work At Home - The Most Important Thing

Follow a system.
Follow an inspiring mentor.
Follow and complete at least 5 tasks daily.
Focus on your aspirations daily.
Make your business real - not treating it like a hobby.

More Quality Time

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More Quality Time For Loved Ones

As you climb the corporate ladder or work long hours as a labourer in a factory, you may be concerned about how little quality time you get to spend with your loved ones.

When was the last time you enjoyed activities or entertainment together as a family?

How often do you get to see your close friends, enjoying a barbeque or dinner together?

Your loved ones should be the most important people in your life.

There are numerous solutions to creating more quality time, namely taking charge of your work life balance.

Create Quality Time To Enjoy Life's Simple Pleasures

When was the last time you enjoyed going for a walk in the park?

How about going for a cycle ride or a horse ride on the beach?

What about enjoying meeting up with loved ones for a picnic?

Fancy baking your own bread or creating gorgeous cupcakes?

The pace of life is busy, but don't let the mundane affairs of daily life hinder you from enjoying the simple pleasures.

More Quality Time For Gardening

Have you dreamed of planting your own herbs or vegetables? Maybe you would like to see some shrubs blossoming in your yard, rather than a plot overgrown with weeds!

Whether you have an outdoor area or not, you can still find inspiration in potting some herbs or flower troughs for your kitchen or bathroom windowsills.

You will not only save money from growing your own herbs, fruit and vegetables, but you will enjoy the soothing benefits of gardening and seeing your accomplishments grow.

More Quality Time To Learn A New Skill

Have you been dreaming of doing a gourmet cooking class after watching all those appetising cookery programmes on the television?

What about learning to knit or sew? Perhaps you fancy making your own clothes and a sewing class would be just the inspiration to get you started.

How about learning a new language? Next time you travel to France, you could be comfortable and confident conversing to the French in their own language!

More Quality Time For Hobbies

Is there a hobby you fancy starting up or continuing with, but you just haven't found the time to do it?

Perhaps you would like to learn a new skill, like Internet marketing or learning how to market your franchise business online.

You may have been thinking about taking up amateur photography or creative writing.

What about gardening or doing a cooking course?

Countless people worldwide, are discovering that the work life balance is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

More Quality Time For Pets

Today life is busy and pressured, so much so, that we tend to forget or neglect the more important things like our pets.

Pets are left home alone all too often. How often do you spend time with your cat or dog on a regular basis? Pets are a great responsibility but they can also bring great rewards. Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression.

Pet owners who operate a home based business or are work from home professionals enjoy the benefits of spending more time with their pets.

More Quality Time To Picnic

How would you like more quality time to picnic with your nearest and dearest?

It can be frustrating when you are stuck in an office or at work when the weather is gorgeous outside.

Working at home for yourself, can create more flexibility and freedom to choose your hours.

So the next time a beautiful day arrives, will you be able to picnic outdoors with your loved ones?

More Quality Time For Sport

Are you an avid tennis fan? Have you contemplated having more quality time available to learn how to play the game more effectively and keep fit at the same time?

Perhaps you are stuck in the corporate grind, dreaming of creating more quality time to play golf or go fishing.

Do you love pilates and fancy having more quality time to learn how to become an instructor?

Are you a keen surfer, but spend too much time working in the rat race, with little time left for yourself or those you love?

Empowered entrepreneurs are creating more quality time for themselves by choosing to buy out the time rather than merely dreaming about it.

How about you?

More Quality Time To Travel

Have you ever travelled outside your hometown or city? Have you seen your country of origin? What about travelling abroad?

You may be feeling trapped by your current circumstances, yearning of exotic, far-flung destinations, but it will remain a dream unless you take action to fulfilling your aspirations.

Visiting overseas locations is no longer as "out of reach" to people as it once was. The world is becoming more accessible.

Perhaps you could consider starting an online business, which offers flexibility and mobility so that you can work from home or away while on holiday!

Create More Quality Time For Volunteer Work

Is there a cause or charity work you would like to support?

There is nothing more rewarding than giving back to others.

Perhaps you would like more quality time to devote to volunteer work whether it is a local charity or an international organisation.

Consider ways you can carve out more quality time from your daily life to give to others.

How Many Hours Can You Use In A Day?

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Managing Time Wisely

Have you ever heard someone say that if anyone wants you to be somewhere by a certain time, say 10 o'clock, that they should tell you to be there by 9 o'clock? This may shock you into realising the importance of managing your time wisely.

Although it would be wonderful to get a few more extra hours in the day, the reality is, it won't happen. We have 24 hours, so what are we going to do with this time? Discovering how to manage your time wisely can help you carve out the precious extra hours that you need in your day. Being in control of your time can radically reduce stress and give your life more purpose.

There are some challenges that can arise when you consider managing your time better. The first challenge has to do with making a schedule. The thought of creating a schedule may make you feel trapped; perhaps you are a spontaneous person and having your life controlled by a planner may not be a comfortable choice.

Life is busy and will only get busier as responsibilities accumulate. The more organised you are, the more you will be able to keep priorities in first place and suffer less anxiety as a result. If you start filling up your time with smaller, mundane things, you risk not being able to fit in the big important things. Make space for the important tasks first and you will be pleasantly surprised how much time you will have for other things.

The second challenge you may encounter, is sticking to your schedule. Procrastination only makes matters worse. It creates more pressure and stress that you can do without. Don't just schedule things you have to do, schedule things that you also enjoy doing. It will be easier to do the things you need to do, knowing that you will be able to do the things you enjoy later on in the day. Having something to aim for, will keep you on track. Setting little goals along the way, will enable you to reach your ultimate goal or goals.

A third challenge may be neatness and organisation. Being neat and organised will save you time when you are looking for things. Knowing where your things are will give you peace of mind and eliminate "mess stress". Try putting things back in their place as soon as you can. Tidying up regularly rather than waiting until clutter gets out of control will make cleaning easier and finding things easier. Make neatness a habit and see how much easier your life becomes.

Start small, today!

Helping You Plan

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Lost Time

"Lost time is never found again."

Quote By Benjamin Franklin

Time Conscious

Ask Yourself :

What are two realistic goals that I can achieve in the next 6 months?

What is a realistic goal I can achieve in the next 2 years?

What do I need to start doing now to reach that goal?

Reader Feedback

  • KirstyKorals Dec 20, 2011 @ 12:21 pm | delete
    Another fantastic lens by Quickstart-Home-Biz! Thanks for the great tips.
  • CartierJewel Oct 14, 2011 @ 9:26 am | delete
    Brilliant lens. Thanks for these very timely tips!
  • SwayingPalm Oct 6, 2011 @ 5:49 am | delete
    Well thought out lens. I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing.
  • ChanelNumberFive Oct 4, 2011 @ 8:51 am | delete
    Fantastic lens. I think we could all do with a few more tips to use our time more wisely :-) Thanks for sharing.
  • Quickstart-Home-Biz Oct 5, 2011 @ 7:21 am | delete
    Thank you for your comment Chanel.
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Zurieka & James Model are passionate online entrepreneurs & mentors who inspire serious individuals & empower entrepreneurs. Their mission is to creat... more »

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