We try to hack it, save it, find more of it, speed it up, and slow it down. But no matter what we do, we are each given the same amount of time each day. The world around us may be changing everyday; but time remains steady and consistent, the same day-in and day-out. When juggling marriage, homes, families, and jobs; the time we are given each day is where it all happens. If we work in or own a small business, time translates to our livelihood. Time is an incredibly valuable (possibly the most valuable!) asset and one we want to use with wisdom. While time management is an ever evolving skill, here are several ‘time’ tips I use. Applying them certainly does not happen everyday, but when I do my day goes so much better.

• Have a plan for the day. Otherwise the day will quickly take over and I am running to keep up instead of being in control. I like to make a list and prioritize tasks the night before. Keeping it similar day-to-day feels nice. Routine developed habits and habits don’t take as much mental will power to maintain. This way I can save my mental willpower for creating, writing, and other thinking tasks.
• Avoid interruptions as much as possible. The interruption may be 60 seconds but 5 minutes (at least) was lost until I am fully refocused again with the task. When starting a task, I do everything possible to finish it before stepping away.
• Stay focused. Turn off phone notifications, ignore email, find a quiet corner….focus. Our mind gets tired when being pulled from one focus to another and it ends up taking longer just because our mind is weary.
• Don’t procrastinate. I like to determine the must-do priorities ahead of time for the week and each day. Get those must-do tasks done first. Life always happens and ‘unexpected’ always get added to our days. It helps to keep things stress-free if I plan room for extra things and make the must-do tasks a priority.
• Don’t over commit. This is my tendency. I want to say sure, yes, I will be right there. But, life happens and everything takes way longer than I anticipated. I end up stressed and not keeping my word. Build in wiggle room for the sure-to-happen unexpected.
• Parkinson’s Law says “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” This is so true and I remind myself of this often. If I give myself a half day to complete a task, it takes all that and maybe a bit more. If I decide I will get it done it two hours, it’s amazing how much I will get done in two hours. I like to build deadlines and reasonable time limits into my workday, helping me to stay on track.
• Start the day right. There is something about a peaceful start to the day. Carving out time in the morning before my day starts to sip my coffee, read, journal, step outside and take a deep breath of the sweet morning air, and mentally prepare for my day. Our mind is what guides us all day long. If I start the day on the right foot mentally; it creates the foundation for a day where I feel calm and focused.

Time is a gift. We each have the freedom to determine what we do with it. While time in a work day is focused on efficiency, that is one aspect of time. Time is given to us to enjoy, love, relax, and embrace with with peace. Time is a joy (instead of a frustration) when we use it intentionality, with wisdom, and with the big picture of life in mind.

Here’s to the next 24 hours…let’s make it a good one!

What is one of your ‘time’ tips?