I think if given a magic lamp with three wishes, one of my wishes would probably be for more time in my day! Since that dream has a high probability of not coming true, I need to stay focused on how I can maximize the time I do have. Since we all have only 1,440 minutes each day that we can “choose to use”, consider some practical ideas for using time wisely:
Delegate or delete. Are there tasks that your parent or child could help you with so you can move on to another task? It is OKAY to ask for help!
Five-minute breakdown. Divide big projects into small, workable units. Instead of de-cluttering the entire kitchen, take five minutes to clear out one drawer or shelf. Before you know it your huge project will be completed.
Beat the clock. Set your kitchen timer for ten minutes and have your entire family prepare for the next day. They can gather homework, make lunches, put their backpacks near the door or get their clothes together.
List master. Write out a list of tasks that can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes such as sorting a sock drawer, purging expired medications or emptying wastebaskets. When a small block of time opens up in your schedule, fill it in with a job from the list.
Call in the reserve. Build some buffer time between appointments or tasks.
Trick or treat. Set all of your clocks five minutes fast. It will be a nice surprise to arrive on time to your appointments.
xoxo Paula
So friends, how do you use your precious time? Tell me your secrets!
Oh, I so need help with this! Great tips!
1440 minutes, huh? Never thought about it like that. Great tips as usual. Now if only there was a way to make those 1440 minutes go by very, very slow! Hugs, Diane
Hey that is a great idea! Same minutes more time! Love it!
Good stuff! I need to learn to delegate for sure!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Oh I so need more minutes in the day! The delegating is hard though I am trying to let go of “they didn’t do it the way I wanted it done”.
If I set my clocks 5 minutes ahead then maybe I would only be 5 minutes late to places. Hmmmm
I could never change the clocks: the anal-retentive person inside me would just KNOW they were fast. It’s hard to trick that silly woman.
But I am trying really hard to delegate more and say no more now! I used to feel that it wasn’t Ok to ask for help…now? I welcome it.
And it helps when the kids are older and can handle more on their own.
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Wonderful tips! I have friends that change clocks to get their family places at the right time.
Yeah, I tried that and it is great until the fam figures it out and then we are back to square one!
I really like the buffer time between appointments idea because my problem is thinking everything takes less time than it actually does.
Also love the small block of time projects! Great idea to think of those ahead of time.
I have to build in extra time! Late family members, traffic, delayed appointments – it could get really out of control!