Tips for Saving Time, Setting Boundaries and Getting Great Results

How much time do you spend shuttling the children to and from activities? Is your volunteer position carrying more and more responsibilities? Are last-minute errands and favors for friends stretching the time you need to meet your responsibilities thin? Here are some great tips to help you obtain more time, establish boundaries, and get great results completing the items on your to-do list.

Volunteer Work.

Working in your favorite charity, church, or school is a very admirable use of your free time. Your volunteer position may help you stay active with a passion that you have. Make it a priority to safeguard your love of this particular service that you are passionate about providing. If you are doing numerous extra hours and are feeling overwhelmed, reduce your work load. If an organization is short handed on volunteers do not feel guilty or pressured into picking up the slack. Talk with the directors of your organization about finding the best way to find more volunteers. Use the resources already in place by the organization. If you are unsure about whom to speak with, talk to the salaried members of the organization.

Find a respected or popular volunteer or staff member help you. Write a short phone and email script of what positions need to be filled, give specific dates, and times. Obtain phone numbers and email addresses. Make copies for everyone making phone calls. Use the script as a basis for an email that goes out for people to respond to. Speak in detail with the webmaster of your organization. Modify the email you sent out into a blog post or article. This will be seen by people who may not be on your email or phone list. These tasks free up your time, and help your organization find people who whole heartedly want to volunteer.

Children's Activities.

Are you driving around 4 out of 5 evenings in one week? Two activities are plenty for even the most active child. Many parents want their child to have every educational advantage. Of course you want your child to appreciate the arts, and become a great sportsman. When scheduling the upcoming activities pick the activities that best suit your schedule. Choose the art lesson that is held once a week or biweekly. Think about scheduling all of the children for sports activities located at the same building, same time, or at least in the same part of town. Confirm all recital and game times before registration. Look over the schedule, and parental responsibilities. Avoiding conflict with game and recital times is very important. It would be awful for both children's games or recitals to be held at the same time. Be sure to write on your calendar the dates and times you as a parent are expected to volunteer your time, or provide refreshments.

Favors.

Friends and family members from time to time may need you to do a favor. Do not allow people to depend on you, daily for tasks that take a lot out of your day without asking you first. Yes, helping with babysitting or running and errand twice a week is fine. However, someone expecting you to babysit, take care of your dog, or ask you to do something, which they could have done themselves needs to be addressed. Call and ask everyone you are closed to; to call you prior to needing something. Even if it is last minute, it will let you see how you can fit them into your schedule. Instead of them showing up at the last minute, and interfering with plans you may have already made.

Managing the time you will spend on volunteer and children's activities can help you have more time for the activities that you truly want to do. When scheduling the upcoming activities pick the activities that best suit your schedule. Don't allow yourself to become involved in projects that you just don't have time for. Ask yourself, is this commitment absolutely necessary? Give yourself permission to keep the time that is valuable to you and your family available. Saying no, can be a freeing experience.