Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings. Jane Austin
I had some time to day dream while waiting for a friend who was routinely running late, because she had over committed her time, and it occured to me that I’m not as busy as other people. I started to wonder if I was just lazy, but call it age, call it wisdom, or call it a delusion, I’m beginning to think that I’m kind of efficient. O.K and maybe a bit lazy.
But here is what I’ve noticed, I don’t run as many errands as most people and I’m also always on the lookout for ways to save time and energy. For example. last year I noticed that I could order stamps on the internet and they would be mailed right to my door, so I ordered 100. It might take me 10 years to use them all so luckily they are the new stamps that come with the promise that I can always use them even if the price of postage increases. Now if you don’t consider the time that I will inveritably spend looking for those stamps each time I need to mail a birthday card, sympathy card, or some other item I can’t do on-line, I have saved myself a lot of time and trouble.
Here is a great article about inspired ways to save time at airports. http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article.aspx?cp-documentid=735251
Most of my clients are busy helping professionals with families or students who are juggling school and work, so when they ask for help with time managment, it is usually because they are dealing with serious symptoms that accompany being overworked and over extended. One small strategy such as this one is not likely to have enough impact. However, a collection of small strategies can really add up to offer you a few pockets of free time.
1. For at least 1 day (if all your days are basically the same), write down everything you do from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to bed. Use your agenda, include making lunches (for kids, for yourself), doctors appointments, phone calls, keep track of time spent doing emails, sorting mail, paying bills, driving time.
2. Sit down with your notes and some markers, crayons, or whatever you can find, different colours work well. Cross out everything that you think could be delegated or simply cut out of your day with one colour. Circle everything you think is 100% necissary with another colour. If there are items left circle them with another colour (these are the items you are not sure about, or perhaps don’t happen every day/week).
3. If you have not found things that you could cut out, combine, or delegate you may just be in a tight spot right now or you may need a little help being creative with your to do list. If you are open to that, show your lists to a supportive friend or share it with your coach. Some of my clients not only have a difficult time saying no but also jump in to say yes even before they are asked for help. If this is you and you have as much free time as you like, great, but if this is you and you are always running late, feeling exhausted and resentful then why not give it a try?
If this got you thinking and you want more like this, then try out Cheryl Richardson’s book Take Time for Your Life
She was Oprah’s coach so she’s gotta know something right?
