Do you struggle to finish everything you set to do during the day? If so, you’re not alone. We are all doing more work than ever before. At times, it can feel like there are not enough hours in the day.
Do you dream of having extra time? If so, I’ve got good news for you. No, I don’t have a time machine. But I do have some tips that are just as effective.
Here are some ways that you can find more time to do whatever you would like.
Mindfully Multitask
While multitasking is not a good idea for any in-depth tasks, you can use multitasking to your advantage while doing many mundane activities. For example, you can listen to a podcast while you mow the yard. You can listen to an audiobook while you do the laundry. You can watch television while you walk or jog on the treadmill.
Cut Out Nonessential Items
There are many things that you do every day that take time but do not add value to your life. You’ve likely heard of the fear of missing out also known as FOMO. This time spent feeling jealous or lonely does not help you. Rather, it makes you feel worse by increasing your stress levels which can even make you feel depressed.
If you were to do something you enjoy—such as hobby—you add value to your life. Don’t believe me? If you feel the urge to focus on negative thinking based on FOMO, try pursuing one of your favorite activities instead. You’ll feel better and have a better day.
Work In Your Sleep.
What if you could get work done even while you’re asleep? Sounds too good to be true, right? But you really can achieve this. Give your mind something to work on overnight and your brain will work on it. Your subconscious is incredible. While the rest of you takes a break, your subconscious keeps working to find a solution.
Another area you can cut out is watching the news. Instead of spending a half-hour or hour viewing a news program, you can read the headlines while working out on the treadmill. This step alone can easily save you close to an hour a day.
Outsource Your Chores.
We all have tasks that we need to do that take time. Maybe you dislike washing the dishes or mowing the yard. Or you often find yourself putting off doing the laundry or washing the car. You can outsource all of these chores, which gives you more time to do something else.
Boost Your Mental and Physical Energy Levels.
I know this one seems counterproductive, but I promise it is not. When you have higher energy levels, you will be able to make the most of the time you have. How do you do that? Get more sleep. Make exercise a habit. Eat better. Take care of yourself. When you do these things, you will start to see how much better you feel. Then you can even maximize your most productive time during the day.
Become Better at Planning.
When you improve your planning skills, you are more aware—and intentional—about things that are coming up. You can also minimize the possibilities of distraction.
When you are distracted, you use more time. So this is a good example where planning comes into play. Look at your calendar before you say yes to anything. Set firm boundaries and say no to things you don’t want to do. I know for many people email is a struggle. You can always check email at designated times and have exceptions to this rule go to your mobile device if needed.
As you continue to apply these concepts to your life, you’ll see that you have ExtraTime to do more of what matters to you. Go through this list and find one you can implement today. Don’t wait. It can be as simple as trading an activity you dislike for another one you enjoy.
