4 Ways to Make More Time

Time is finite. It’s our most precious resource; we cannot make more, but we can make the most of it. No matter where on Earth you live, we all get 1,440 minutes each day. Not enough time is also one of the top 3 excuses people use as to why they couldn’t get something done. Failing health, poor fitness, failure to start a business, lost relationships with friends and family…All are regrets people have, and often blame their lack of time as a reason. You want to tell me that you can’t carve out 3 hours each week for exercise, after spending your lunch hour on Facebook and Snapchat? If you’re looking for sympathy, look in another direction.
There are many super productive people on this planet and they are given the same 86,400 seconds each day like everyone else.
While we can’t make more time each day, here are 4 tips that should help get you the time you need to do what you want to be doing;

  1. Just say “No”- By far the number one way to create more time for you to do what you want to do, is by learning how to say “No”. Sounds simple. When you first start, people will look at you strange. Most people say “Yes” to so many things they don’t even want to be doing. Things that bring them no closer to what they want or actually need to be doing. They say “yes”; to be nice, then complain about having to do something they’ve agreed to, to everyone else. Sound familiar? Good, say “no”!
  2. Schedule and stick to it- I’m almost 40, and have had “to do” lists for at least 20 years. It’s helpful for me to keep my days on track. I’m old school, post it notes and pen. Scratching things off as I go. For most tasks, it’s also helpful to understand the difference between urgent and important. Dwight Eisenhower said, “What’s important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.” Having a written plan each day, week or month can help keep you on your tasks. Now, more than ever, it’s easy to get lost in the minutia that is life. Avoid those pitfalls by keeping to a plan.
  3. Delegate- Just like in business, if you find yourself wearing too many “hats”, you’re going to get overwhelmed. Consider finding professionals to do your taxes, clean your home, landscaping, etc. which will allow you more time to do what you want to be doing. Some will say, “I can’t afford to do that”; and you very well may be correct. Start small. Over time, you may realize that the time saved from some of those tasks allows them to make more time for what they really want to be doing. The dollars spent become worth it. I think of it like an investment in my time.
  4. Priorities are magical- We all know that person that said they didn’t have the time to do something, then seemingly carves out 3 hours in a day for something else. Most of the time, all that’s changed is priorities. We’ll speak to a potential member and they’ll say, “I can only make it at this time” and rattle off a list of duties awaiting them. However, if they want it enough, make it a priority, they usually will find the time. It may take some sacrifice. You might need to wake up an hour earlier for work or school, or stay up an hour later; but 9 out of 10 times; there. Is. Time.
    There are 24 hours in a day. If you sleep for 8 hours, we’re left with 16. If you work for 8 hours and account for 1 hour commuting, we’re left with SEVEN hours. How you spend those hours will dictate what kind of life you’ll lead. Whether you’ll be the kind of person that gets to do the things they want to do, or the one that complains they don’t have enough time just after posting to social media they finished binge watching the entire second season of Breaking Bad in a weekend!