There's a shift that's happening for many people and families across the country. While resources such as money and clothes and stuff and homes have always been considered valuable in society, there's one valuable that will always be finite and fleeting. That one thing is "time". It can be said that families and people in the workforce used to have more free, unscheduled time from day to day. But with today's busy schedules, dual income families, and multiple sport per season kids, free time is regarded as a precious resource of which many of us have very little. So, we know how to make money, and how to slowly save for the things we want to purchase. But how do we make the most of the time that we have, and create the feeling that we have more of it?
Be present. Multi tasking can be overrated. Live in the moment, and focus on what's right in front of you. It's hard to enjoy the little moments with the kids, your favorite tv show, or walking the dog on a nice day, if your brain is already focused on the big meeting you have to lead the next day.
Plan ahead. Often the moments we feel like we have the least amount of time are when we are simply trying to squeeze too much into too little time. For example, anything that can be accomplished at night to ease the morning routine makes a huge difference. Taking 15 minutes before bed to pack lunches for the next day, empty the dishwasher, and lay out clothes at a leisurely pace makes the next morning feel much less time crunched.
Delegate. What do the busiest of CEOs and celebrities all have in common - they have assistants! If you're not in the position to have one yourself, get creative. Use an electronic calendar on your phone for not just appointments but tasks and reminders too. Use a notepad (in paper form or on your phone) to track ideas and thoughts you don't want to forget. Writing it down saves the idea for later and lets you get back to focusing on what you were already doing.
Budget. Not just for more things and purchases, but for services that will free up your spare time. Hire a cleaning company to come through once a month, pay for an amazon prime membership or grocery delivery service. Of course you can always put a call in to your local professional organizer as well. We all know getting organized and streamlining our belongings saves time looking for things and makes tidying up take much less time.
Prioritize. When it comes down to it, every time you put something on your calendar, you are prioritizing that activity over having free time at home. Organizing your calendar can be much like organizing your things. Sometimes there is just too much to fit in one space, and something's gotta go. If it's hard to resist scheduling something into an opening of free time, then plug "Sunday at home" into your calendar! Sorry we have plans that day. We're going to be at home catching up on things we have to do around the house. Or doing nothing. But that's the fun thing about free time, you can do whatever you want with it!