Make More Time for Yourself

There's only 24 hours in any given day and so the thought that you could "make more time" does seem a bit ridiculous.  But, I have run across a few tips from life coaches that actually worked.  Here's what I discovered:

• Handle things once.  I've heard this for many years, but it really works.  If you're sorting through your mail, immediately through out the junk mail, catalogs or circulars that could clutter things up.  I also throw away those tempting catalogs, not only were they a temptation for my money but I found I spent a lot of time "just looking." 
• Don't listen to the news first thing in the morning.  This tip surprised me.  I used to listen to the news while I got ready for work each morning and thought nothing of it.  I had already eliminated listening to the news just before bedtime so that it didn't interrupt my sleep.  But, when I stopped my morning listening I was surprised at how much fresher and how much more upbeat my outlook on my day was than before.  Now I take 5-10 minutes mid-morning and mid-afternoon to look at the news highlights online and then sign off.  Try it, you may be surprised too!
• Make good use of waiting time.  Tuck a book in your purse or in your car.  Take a notepad to write your shopping list or notecards to write thank you or appreciation notes.  Some people pay bills but that may be a bit too public for most.  Whatever you do, if you are spending your waiting time in a public area, please do not use it to talk on your cell phone in public as that is annoying.  A little quiet time does wonders!
• Be decisive and move on.  Have you ever been with a group of friends who couldn't make up their minds as to which restaurant to visit?  Or, have you been shopping with a friend who took hours to decide between the blue shirt or the red one.  Be decisive, make a decision and move on.
• Turn off technology during your high-energy time.  OK, this one took me a bit longer to embrace.  For years I have had a small TV on at my desk while I worked.  After trying this tip a couple of times I realized how much more productive I am when I turn the TV, radio and iPOD off for a couple of hours each day. 
• Monitor time-sapping addictions.  If you suffer from chronic Internet surfing'itis like me, you understand this tip.  Whatever your addiction, whether it is reading useless catalogs, Internet surfing, watching TV, or your own unique habit, monitor your time.  It's OK to indulge, just make a commitment to do this activity for 15 minutes, 20 minutes and so forth and then move on to something more productive. 

These tips alone, according to Kathryn Matthews in O Magazine, could save you up to 4.5 hours each day in time!  Try some of these and you may be surprised at how easy they are to implement and how much more relaxed and less stressful your day can be.

(Tips from "How to Get 7 More Hours into Your Day," by Kathryn Matthews, O, The Oprah Magazine, May 1, 2007.)

Life x2

Have you noticed that life seems to be whipping past us at warp speed?  In all the hurry of our everyday lives it is important to remember to enjoy it.  You have probably heard this before, right?  But, have you actually practiced it?  Every day that you spend worrying about trivial things is a day you subtract from the time you could be using to do something meaningful or something that adds value to your life. 

Last week I was looking at an old high school annual.  You probably have one similar to mine where everyone writes, "...never change..."  "..stay just like you are..." and so forth.  In reality, that is exactly what you should be doing.  Living life x2, or to its fullest extent with value and meaning, means that you will reinvent yourself each and every day.  I don't know who, but someone once said that "stagnation is suicide." 

Look around each day and find something you can do to add value and meaning to your life and the lives of others.  Reinvention does not have to be complicated.  Look for the simple, heart felt things you can do or say.  Live life x2!