Time saving tips

If you:

- never have time to think
- work through lunch
- don’t have a definite finish time in the evening
- don’t have time for exercise
- don’t spend enough time with the family
- never have time to do all the things you want to do
- are always putting things off
- haven’t had a holiday for ages

.. you might find these organising tips could make a difference.

• Have a plan for everyday – whether it’s a work day or a weekend, having a schedule for the day will help you stay focused on what you want to do, and not be distracted
   
• Make use of ‘dead’ time – there are often pockets of time in our day we could make use of to plan or prepare, or just jot down ideas – waiting, or travelling time are good examples
   
• Invest time when you have it – plan for a journey in advance, buy birthday cards in bulk, de-clutter paperwork to make it easier to find things
   
• Know how long things take – have you timed how long the copier takes to make 20 copies, or the time it takes to walk to the station? If there are things you do a lot, you need to know how much time to allow for them to avoid having to rush at crucial moments
   
• Know what your IT can do for you – do you know all the functions on your phone? Perhaps your PC can diarise tasks for you, or send you reminders
   
• Manage distractions – don’t let them manage you – be selective about when you’re available to take calls, and turn off the ‘incoming mail’ notification so that you’re not tempted to look every time one comes in
   
• Detox your doormat – registering with the Mail Preference service can significantly reduce the amount of time wasting junk mail that comes through your door www.mpsonline.org.uk
   
• Get help! Having a lifestyle manager could make all the difference.