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How to Manage Your Time and Get Your Life Back

BY READERS DIGEST

1st Jan 2015 Life

How to Manage Your Time and Get Your Life Back

Many of us feel that there simply aren't enough hours in the day, and when we have work and family life to juggle, it can make finding spare time even harder. Yet no matter how busy our daily schedules are, with a bit of planning and organisation, all of us should be able to claw back some precious time. Here are some tips how.

Make lists

It's tricky managing time if we feel overwhelmed by the amount of things that need doing. Often, these things just don't get done. In order to gain control of our lives, make a list of all those things you want to get done, and then prioritise them. Try to set realistic goals of when you might achieve them by. Start off small, even if it's just simple jobs that you want to finish around the home.
 

Get organised

As well as making lists, manage your time by getting more organised and sticking to a routine. Get a diary or calendar and write down appointments that you have or events that you need to go to, so you can see what you are doing when. This will also avoid you over-committing or double-booking yourself, which can lead to even less spare time.
 

Avoid distractions

Whether you're looking to recoup extra time at home or work, one of the biggest offenders for gobbling up those sacred minutes of the day are distractions. Whether it's a talkative colleague or neighbour, text alerts on your phone, or something that catches your eye on the internet, try to avoid distractions until you have achieved what you have set out to achieve. If you need to get back to people or reply to texts or calls, schedule them in for a specific time of the day.
 

Allocate tasks

If you find that you are doing more than the lion's share of tasks, either at home or work, then reassess your responsibilities and enlist some help. Consider getting family members to pitch in with chores or even outsource them if you can afford it, such as employing a cleaner for a couple of hours each week. Even a slight reshuffling of duties may free up some time for you.
 

Identify the time wasters

Try to identify the culprits responsible for eating into your time. Do you feel that you spend too much of your time preparing meals? In which case, when you cook make extra portions for another day. Perhaps you spend too long procrastinating about what you ought to be doing? Instead, try to tackle what needs doing now. Encourage and motivate yourself to complete a task by rewarding yourself with a treat afterwards.
 

Recognise when you're most productive

Recognising the times of day when your energy is at its peak can help you become more productive and get things done quicker - giving you more free time to get on with the things that you enjoy most. Boost energy levels by getting sufficient sleep, eating healthily and taking exercise.

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