Time is out most valuable resource. It is what we really spend any time we spend money. Unfortunately for most of us, time is always in short supply. There never seem to be enough hours in the day or days in the week. Sometimes, between work, getting the kids to and from school and their activities, and meals, we don’t have any time left in the day for us. Of course, everyone says just wake up earlier or go to sleep later, but if I do that, I’m just tired, grumpy, and all around less effective. So these are my 10 Everyday Ways to Save Time (without sacrificing sleep).
- Take Shorter Showers
This tip is especially for women, and especially for those of us who have long hair. I used to take like 45 minute showers (I’m not even sure how our water heater managed)! Shorten your showers to closer to 15 minutes, or maybe even take fewer showers. I know for me, a lot of the beginning of my shower is just standing in the water trying to get my hair wet all the way through. So I’ve started bringing my toothbrush and now I can brush my teeth and still be done in about 15 minutes.
2. Don’t watch TV
This is less about saving time and more about how you spend it, but seriously, TV is addictive garbage. I have spoken with so many authors who have said their biggest regret is watching so much TV. The things you could be accomplishing instead of TV are likely far more worth your time. Or if you aren’t invested in a show, you can do another task while the TV plays, such as sewing or cooking.
3. Never Leave a Room Empty Handed
There is always something to clean up somewhere. Dishes to be brought to the dishwasher, clothes to be put in the hamper, or bags to be packed for tomorrow. Anytime you get up to leave a room, pick up one or two items and handle those items quickly. It won’t save time in that moment, but it will save time in the long run when you don’t have to run around the house collecting clothes before you can do the laundry.
4. Clean up Right Away
I think cleaning up right away is most important when it comes to meals. You can either serve dinner, eat, digest, put the kids to bed, pack lunches, and finally 3 hours later go to wash the dishes, or you can do it right away. The perk of cleaning up meals right away is that your dishes are easier to clean. Easier equates to less time typically.
5. Take time to Organize
Taking time now to make time later is a valuable skill. Organizing your home in a functional way so that you can do things faster later will save you time in the long run. This can include creating systems for clothes, toys, and kitchens. Plus, if everyone can follow the system, you are more likely to get buy-in from other household members to help maintain the house.
6. Stop Multitasking
I know I point to weird, little ways to multitask, such as showering and brushing your teeth or watching TV and sewing, but I’m talking about the multitasking that takes brain power. I found my sister did this a lot with her work, where she would work, and be reading an article, and be writing a paper. When you split your brain in too many different directions, it has a hard time performing at its peak potential and you end up slowing down, not retaining information, and all the work you do is sub-par, resulting in just having to do it again later.
7. Batch Similar Projects
This ties closely with not multi-tasking, but if you have a bunch of like projects to complete, batching them together to complete one after the other can save you time. For example, if you need to fix your sink and install a new curtain rod, doing these one right after the other may be helpful because you only have to get your tools out once.
8. Take the Bus When you Can
Yes, I know, I harp about taking the bus. And to be fair, where I live, we have an amazing bus system, so taking the bus is both feasible and can actually save time in itself. My point here is less about commuting time (you gotta go to work one way or another), and more about finding time to do small tasks while on the bus. This could be writing a paper (or blog!) or planning a trip or even just reading a book. When you don’t have to pay attention to the road you find all sorts of ways to spend your new found free time.
9. Utilize your Driving Time
If you can’t bus and driving has to be the way you commute, you can still utilize your driving time. Listening to books on tape or even mentally preparing for a day can be great ways to use your driving time for you.
10. Catch up on the Go
My father probably hates when I call him, but about the only time I pick up the phone to talk to someone just in light conversation is when I’m on the go. This can be driving, walking, general commuting from place to place. I try not to talk on the bus (it’s kind of an unwritten curtesy rule), but pretty much any other way I am commuting about is when I finally pick up the phone and catch up with people.
So there you have it. 10 ways to carve a little more time for yourself and what you love. What are the ways you save time in your day to day? Leave comments below.
