How To Make More Time For Yourself

 

 

Frustration at not having enough time is a common complaint expressed by many. Today’s fast-paced lifestyle means many people are permanently ‘on’ and rarely take time off. Instead, an evening may be spent checking your phone for work emails, replying to messages, helping the kids with their homework, doing household chores and wishing you had more time for yourself! Although you cannot create more hours in the day, there are ways that you can use your time more efficiently, and therefore carve a little more out to spend however you wish. Follow these top tips to make more time for yourself on a regular basis.

 

Divide Your Day Up

Dividing your day up is a great way to get tasks done and keep your concentration and energy levels high. Research has indicated that the best way to remain productive is to divide your time up into 90-minute slots. This is the time period in which your brain can work at an optimum level of high frequency. It is important to notice when you feel your focus on a task is becoming diverted, or you begin to feel drained, as this is the point at which to step away from it and take a break. Going for a short walk or making yourself a nutritious snack with protein for energy can help, such as a cut up apple with peanut butter on the side. Taking a short power nap is even more beneficial, but make sure it is not for longer than twenty minutes as otherwise, it may make you feel more sluggish as opposed to more alert.  

 

Wake Up Early

You may not want to hear this, but studies have shown that successful people often share a trait for early rising. Getting up early when your energy is at a peak means that you can focus before other people wake up and begin to demand things from you. It means you can carve out some time for the things that help to create the right headspace to get your day off to the best start. This could mean that you start with an early morning yoga session, a dawn run, meditation or simply a quiet coffee by yourself. The most important thing is that you establish a morning ritual that works for you and stick to it. Rising early provides another advantage, as it is also the time of day when you are likely to have the most willpower. So, why not focus on your least favorite task, that way you will get it over with early and begin the morning with a sense of achievement that can boost your approach to the rest of your day.

 

Get Help

There is no shame in asking for help and finding new ways that people can assist you to make your day more productive. Perhaps there are tasks that a family member can take on, such as cooking dinner or collecting the children from school. People are often willing to help if asked and may simply not be aware of the need to offer unless they are approached directly. If there is something that has become a habit for you but eats into your day then see if you can spread the tasks more evenly in your household. Look at ways in which technology can help you at work. For example, check these Answering Service Reviews and pick a phone answering service that can offer a professional remote receptionist. Doing so will allow you to enjoy a more focused and uninterrupted work time, safe in the knowledge that any calls you receive will be handled sensitively and professionally.

 

Set Your Intention For The Next Day

Before you wrap up your day and go to sleep, a great idea is to set your goal or intention for the next day. That way you can wake up and have a clearly defined focus for your morning, which means you won’t waste time trying to remember what you wanted to achieve. It also means that you are more likely to complete these tasks before becoming distracted by emails, phone calls or unexpected events that may derail you. Once this becomes a habit, you will do it at the end of each day automatically and deciding on your goals for the next day will feel like a natural conclusion to your work. It will then allow you to switch off fully for the evening, taking vital time to relax, unwind and de-stress.

 

Value Relaxation

When people feel busy and stressed, there often seems like there simply is not enough time to do all the jobs that need doing. In these cases, the first thing to suffer is usually time spent relaxing and switching off. In fact, this can be counterproductive as without allowing your mind and body to unwind fully you can become too tense, feel overwhelmed, and block creative thinking and problem-solving. Relaxation can actually lead to a more productive workday, so do not underestimate its importance. Taking time off can increase your energy and give you more focus and concentration, which will benefit you during your working day. Ensure that you use your vacation allowance and do not simply let it slide in the hope of your boss noticing your commitment and putting you up for promotion. If you approach your work with the increased vigor, you may be more likely to succeed in advancing your career than if you burn out from exhaustion.  

 

Don’t Be Afraid To Say No

Embracing the power of saying ‘no’ can be a wonderful and freeing thing to do. All too often people shy away from saying no, believing it will make them appear like they cannot manage their time correctly, or as if they are unwilling to work hard. Being a people pleaser can also make it difficult to say no as you do not want to let anyone down, but giving yourself permission to say no can free up more time and ensure that you don’t spend time on things you do not truly want to do. Saying no more will allow you more focused time on the things you prioritize. It is important never to feel guilty for putting yourself high up on that list of priorities.  

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