Everyone would appreciate the opportunity to create more time in their lives for what matters most to them. Sometimes it can feel like there isn’t enough time to spend with loved ones or pursue meaningful projects. It is common to feel as if you are treading water rather than truly thriving, but fortunately, there are a few ways you can combat this feeling by making more time for what you care about. Here’s how to get started.
Learn How to Allocate Your Time
Sometimes the main reason for a person feeling as if they have no time is that they are unable to manage it properly. For example, you may notice that you take much longer than other people to complete the same task. Learning how to divide your time properly and only spend as much time as needed on certain tasks will help to keep you from wasting all your time when you’d rather be doing something else.
Find Ways to Delegate
Not every task has to be completed by the same person. Even if you aren’t the manager of a company, there will be times when it is more sensible to delegate or outsource a task to someone else so that you can focus on using your own skills elsewhere. This might be something as simple as hiring a professional cleaner for your home so you can work on a personal project or asking for help from a colleague at work to share the load. Work out how you would rather be spending your time and find ways to shed some of the least essential responsibilities.
Prepare Meals in Advance
For most people, dining would ideally be a time for relaxation, but many don’t have this luxury due to other responsibilities getting in the way. This is why meal preparation can be so useful for saving time. Making batches of meals in advance gives you more time to enjoy your food rather than spend time cooking every day. For example, you can buy bulk dried onions for your meals to make meals easier to prepare. This doesn’t mean that you have to forego variety and enjoyment. It is simply a method of getting a large task out of the way so you can focus on other matters.
Factor Rest Into Your Schedule
Making more time in your life might seem like something that will entail a type of hyper-productivity to ensure that every moment is as efficient as possible. While efficiency in some circumstances is valuable and necessary, in others, it isn’t. Stopping to smell the flowers once in a while and taking frequent breaks will help to keep you mentally and physically strong enough for when times get busier. Plan for this by including rest and relaxation within your schedule.
Don’t Agree to Every Commitment
Saying yes to everything, whether it’s an invitation to a party, a work project, or an errand someone asks you to run for them, will inevitably eat into your time. People who don’t know how to decline these types of requests often find themselves burdened with too many responsibilities and not enough time to pursue something more meaningful to them. Be more assertive and set boundaries for yourself to protect your time and live life the way you want to.
Cope with Distractions
Even if you are more than happy to occasionally say no to a request for your time, you may still find yourself not having enough of it for yourself or the activities you care about. This might be because you have trouble dealing with distractions. Some people can easily block out external stimuli or unhelpful thoughts while they are trying to concentrate, whereas others can’t help but have their attention torn in various directions. By focusing on improving your resistance to distractions, you can complete tasks sooner and save more time for yourself.
Get Into the Habit of Planning Ahead
Don’t leave everything until the last minute. This is a surefire way to put a strain on your relationship with time. Instead, teach yourself healthier habits around planning in advance. It doesn’t need to be down to the last detail, but a rough outline can be much more helpful than nothing at all. Keep a diary and set reminders so you never miss an important meeting or event. You will feel more in control of your time and how you intend to spend it.
Know When to Multitask
Although plenty of people disagree with the very notion of being able to multitask, sometimes it is simply more efficient. There are some types of tasks that shouldn’t be multitasked since they require and deserve your full attention. However, minor responsibilities such as cleaning the dishes or buying groceries could be completed alongside calling the plumber or taking the dog for a walk. Some tasks are easier to pair than others, so think about how you can save time by doing two of them at once.
Understand How Long Routine Tasks Will Take
An often overlooked yet hugely effective method of saving time is paying attention to how long your routine tasks take to complete. This will stop you from going over the allotted time since you already know that you can complete the task within the time window. It can also help if your struggle to get started when you fear that a task might take a long time. Keep a note of how long each one takes so you can be confident in your time allocation.
Care for Your Mind and Body
When your mental and physical health are in good shape, you will find it easier to focus on what matters most to you. Try your best to stay physically active on a regular basis so that your body is strong. You will also need to eat healthily and take steps to manage your mental wellbeing. Having your basic needs met is the foundation upon which you can start to create more time for enjoyable aspects of your life.
