Ten Ways to Manage Your Time

It's easy to feel as if there isn't enough time in a day to accomplish all of the things that need to be done. However, by making some adjustments you can take control of your schedule and preserve some of your valuable time.

Ten tips that can save you time and even earn you a few free moments at the end of the day:

1. Prepare for the new day- Decide what to wear tonight instead of tomorrow.

Think how much time can be spent agonizing over what to wear, making a decision only to change your mind and repeat the process. Choosing your clothing the night before makes it one less thing to worry about in the morning.

2. Try to get 8 hours of sleep.

It's a proven fact, your body functions better with a good nights rest. A solid 8 hours of sleep will give your body the rest it needs to wake up rejuvenated and ready to tackle the day with energy and enthusiasm.

3. Set the alarm clock 15 minutes earlier than needed.

Take 15 minutes each morning to have a quiet moment to greet the day. Use this time to mentally plan your activities. By creating a mental outline while you're fresh you'll be more likely to keep your important tasks on track.

4. Eat your breakfast.

You may wonder what this has to do with buying more time, but it's the energy boost that your body needs at the onset of your day.

5. Plan your evening meals.

By planning your meals ahead of time you eliminate those "what to eat moments". If you really want to get ahead of the game, prepare several meals at the beginning of the week. Freezing and labeling them allows you to have "fast" food readily available in the evenings.

6. Keep a schedule.

Planning and organizing your time can take some getting used to, but like all good habits it's worth the effort. If you don't have a PDA and feel that you are computer challenged when it comes to programs, purchasing a small day planner to carry with you is a simple solution. Be sure to give each task a time and a time frame, and highlight the most important or time sensitive tasks.

7. Delegate!

We don't all have to be Superman/woman. Ask others to lend a hand when possible. If your significant other can pick up the dry cleaning then ask that he/she takes a moment to do the task and eliminate it off of your to do list.

8. Accept the unavoidable.

Realizing that not everything is under your control saves you undue stress. Certain aspects of our lives are what they are. Traffic, appointments that run off schedule, etc., these are things that occur everyday that we don't have a say about. Having the ability to accept and re-adjust to these occurrences can keep your day flowing. Try making allowances for these unforeseen glitches when planning a schedule.

9. Make a shopping list.

When not prepared a trip to the grocery store can cost you a major chunk of time (and money!). Be prepared by making a list of what is needed ahead of time. Try to never go shopping without one. Keep a notepad on your refrigerator and jot down things that you need just before you run out of it. For example, when pouring your morning glass of orange juice, if you see that the carton is nearly empty then write it down on the list.

On your shopping day, take a moment to organize your list by aisle or like products (all fruits and vegetables together). This helps you from wandering around the store bouncing from one end to the other looking for what you need. Go shopping once a week with list in hand instead of random trips for one or two things at a time.

10. Eliminate the clutter.

Take a look around at home and at work. Disorganization and excess clutter chews away at valuable time. Creating an organizational system that works for you can open up valuable time in your day and greatly relieve stress.

Life is hectic, and the suggestions above are only a few of the many steps that can be taken to buy more time. However, by starting with these simple changes you may find that you have discovered extra time to simply enjoy and relax.