8 Timely Tips to Help You Stretch Your Time

by Marilyn Bohn

We all only have so many hours in the day to do everything we want to do. Have you ever said, “Where did the day go, I didn’t get anything done?” Here are 8 tips on how to get more done in a day and maybe you can push that snooze button one more time.

1. When you can, multi-task to save time. For instance, put in a batch of wash while you cook breakfast or read to a child. Have a cake baking in the oven while you write a letter. When multi-tasking do things that don’t take all your attention at the same time like talking to someone on the phone and trying to write a report. When doing errands write a list and write numbers by them in the order you will do them, this will save time as you won’t be going from one end of town to the other and back again.
2. Write a “to do” list every night of what you want to do the next day. This way you have started to organize your day before you are in the thick of things and you can’t even remember what you wanted to do. Structure your day so you can do the things that take the most energy when you are most productive. For morning people you’ll get a lot done in the morning, for evening people your most productive will be at night.
3. Set a limit on how much time you will search the web (set a timer) or watch television. Watching television can be a time to multi-task by folding clothes or working on a craft project so you are doing two things you want or need to do at the same time. Take control of your time; setting a timer can help you do this.
4. If you are in charge of a meeting whether at school, work, or church start and stop on time. People will soon realize they will miss out if they are late as you will have a reputation of starting on time. Have an agenda for the meeting and stick to it. This gives structure so the objectives are met and with everyone knowing the goals the meeting is more efficient.
5. Learn to say no. You are the best person to know what you can and cannot do in a day. By not over extending yourself you will get more done and will be much happier. This is critical in taking control of your time.
6. Get the amount of hours of sleep every night that your body needs. If you are getting up tired you may not be getting enough sleep, only you can determine this. Being rested helps you to be more effective by preventing errors and having to do something over which will cost you more time. Also you’ll have more energy so you can get more done.
7. Get organized and keep organized. By clearing clutter you will save time by not having to search for things you need. It also eliminates the stress of needing to purchase something you can’t find and getting late fees at the library or movie rentals.
8. Delegate tasks to others at home and at work.
   You don’t have to do everything yourself!

Now that you have more hours in the day to do what you want to do, are you going to sleep in or are you so energized you can take on a new task, spend more time with your family or have some quiet time for yourself? The choice is yours.

Marilyn is a professional organizer and invites you to visit her website marilynbohn.com. She is a sought after public speaker and author who is passionate about teaching ways to organize your life and how to reduce clutter.

She works with women in their homes and offices. On her web site she teaches you to get rid of clutter by using her Lights On Organizing System. She provides practical information on how to declutter your home, office and life. In her blogs, articles, and videos she gives timely tips on how to clear clutter and how to declutter everything in your home and office. She is the author of a book called Go Organize! Conquer clutter in three simple steps, which will be in major bookstores in December 2009.