When it comes to time management, we are often looking for ways to makeour days longer and less stressful. Between daily responsibilities, family needs and trying to complete the “to-do-list”, time management can make a huge difference. We are looking for ways to find a little more time to get things done. I trust this article may be the help you are seeking.
The Stress Management Society shares: Good time management is essential if you are to handle a heavy workload without excessive stress. Time management helps you to reduce long-term stress by giving you direction when you have too much work to do. It puts you in control of where you are going and helps you to increase your productivity. By being efficient in your use of time, you should enjoy your current work more, and should find that you are able to maximise the time outside work to relax and enjoy life.
I think that statement can apply to our every day life and not just when you have a “job”. Since I get to work my business at home, I find that even more structure and time management is just as important now.
The 24 Hour Day Never Seems To Be Enough
However, 24 hours is all we get!!! We just need to manage our time better. If we consider that most adults need the 6 to 8 hours of sleep, that leaves 16-18 hours for the rest of the day. Sleep is so very important and sets us up to tackle the day ahead of us. Lack of sleep, or even poor sleep, is not beneficial for you or your family!
Look At It This Way
Think about it: Imagine that every morning you wake up with a pitcher holding about 16 to 18 ounces of water. That pitcher represents all the time and energy you have for the day. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. You can’t refill it until tomorrow.
Now gather several empty glasses. Each glass represents an important part of your life. As you go through your day, pour 1 ounce of water for every hour you spend on an activity. Half an ounce equals 30 minutes, and so on.
Start pouring.
- One glass is for your spouse or partner.
- Another is for family—perhaps adult children, grandchildren or aging parents.
- One is for yourself.
- Do you volunteer, work part-time or have a side business? Set out another glass.
- Are you involved in church, a club, community activities or caring for neighbors? Add another glass.
- Don’t forget errands, doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, meal preparation, household chores and commuting.
Now begin pouring. How much time did it take for breakfast, getting dressed, and getting ready for the day? Pour that amount. How much time was spent checking email, watching TV, making or answering phone calls, scrolling social media, or online shopping? Pour that much time out.
Other activities throughout the day such as exercising, reading a book, enjoying a hobby or simply enjoying a nice cup of coffee means water goes into a glass. As the day goes on, keep pouring into each glass. Now, by the time you are ready for bed, what is left in the pitcher? Is there enough water remaining for the things that are important to you? Or did you run out of water in the pitcher before the day even ended?
This simple exercise reminds us that there is not unlimited time in our day. In fact, many of us discover our days fill up quickly and we may not have completed everything we planned to do. Time is certainly one of God’s greatest gifts. Spend it intentionally on the people you love, activities that fulfill you and the habits that help you stay active, healthy, and joyful. At the end of each day, ask yourself one simple question:
“Did I pour my time into what matters most?”
End of the Day, What Is Left To Do?
The evening arrives, sometime too soon. Did you get unexpected interruptions? Did it take longer to do something than you planned? For me this seems to be an everyday occurance. A friend or family member calls or stops by and we get deep into conversation. Something breaks in my home that needs immediate attention. I needed something from the grocery store and must take time to go get it!! Does this happen to you too?
What About Meal Time? Time Management Can Help Here Too
Preparing and eating meals is another time management need. This is especially true for the person in the household who does the most of this. Depending on the extent of the meals and how much prep time is required, this may be a time drainer. For me, I try to prepare healthy meals, and those can take up much more time than just popping a frozen meal in the microwave or running down to the corner Jack-in-the-Box!
At the end of the day are you feeling drained and frustrated? So, what can you do?
Here are some of my favorite recipes you may enjoy: Favorite Recipes From Our House to Yours.
Tricks and Tips
Let’s break this down. For the morning, what could help to gain even a few minutes? If you prepare your coffee pot before you go to bed, in the morning you could just push “Start” and go on with something else. I like to prepare our daily medications and supplements in the little pill organizers that hold a couple weeks at a time. Know what you are going to wear and lay out the clothes the night before. Make the bed as you get out of it (seems to me to take less time than coming back later to do it).
Time-Saving Tips: Spend One Hour, Save Five
One of the biggest time-wasters during the week is deciding what to fix for your meals. Instead struggling with this every day, choose one day—Sunday works well for many people—and spend just 60 minutes preparing for the week ahead. Here’s a simple routine:
- Wash and cut fresh vegetables so they’re ready to cook.
- Cook a batch of chicken, turkey, or another favorite protein.
- Prepare a pot of brown rice, quinoa, or roasted potatoes.
- Portion healthy snacks like fruit, yogurt, nuts, or cheese into individual containers.
- Write down five simple dinner ideas for the week.
When lunchtime or dinnertime arrives, you’re not starting from scratch. Meals come together in minutes instead of hours, and you’re much less likely to order takeout or make unhealthy choices because you’re tired.
Remember: Meal prep isn’t about cooking seven complete meals. It’s about making tomorrow easier than today.
A little preparation today creates more time tomorrow—for family, hobbies, exercise, or simply relaxing with a good book and a cup of coffee.
More Time Management & Time Saving Tips
- Use a planner. I find this is one of the most helpful tools. I can keep it out where my husband can see it as well (he asks me several times a day what are we doing and when). If you are techy, use the calendar on your phone and share it with those who need to know as well.
- When using a crock pot for meals, get the liners. Makes clean up a breeze! This is one of my favorite ways to save time and still have nutritious meals. Pinterest is a great tool to find crockpot recipes (or the Instapot as well).
- This one is a no-brainer: clean dishes as you go. I know this is not always possible, but it is so nice when you sit down to eat that you don’t have a kitchen full of the dirty items you used to prepare the meal waiting for you when you finish eating!
Don’t Forget About Self Care:
- Most importantly take 15-20 minutes each day in the morning for yourself. Read the Bible, positive affirmations, meditate. In as much as anything, this will put you in a positive mental state.
- In addition, continue to delegate some activities to others if you can. You shouldn’t do it all.
- When the kitchen is clean and chores are finished, save time to relax with your spouse or follow up with family and friends.
Thank you for reading my article on Time Management. I love connecting with my Blog visitors and look forward to hearing from you.