Need More Time?

Time is the only commodity that all of us have in equal amounts.  No one can boast that they have more than 24 hours in a day.  However, the amount of work or accomplishments that one does during that 24 hour determines the true value of time. 

 

How can you make your 24 hour a day count?  As a single mom, we definitely need more time to accomplish all our tasks.  Here are simple tips on how to accomplish more with your 24 hour a day:

1) Sleep right, sleep tight. You heard it right!  You might say, “But sleeping is idle time.  What can I accomplish by sleeping?” A lot!  You need to sleep right to energize and help you accomplish more.  A sleepy person will not be able to do anything.  The right sleep is something that is not too long nor too short. Based on scientific research, we should be asleep around 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. This is the time when our body starts its natural repair process on our vital organs. You need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day to keep you healthy. The right amount of sleep helps you think clearly and become more productive at work.

2) Plan your day, set your priorities. True, you have so many things to cramp into your 24 hour a day.  But which of these tasks are really important?  If you sit down and think of the things that you hurriedly do everyday, I bet that you will see some tasks that are not necessary; tasks that you could forgo totally or move to another day to make room for more essential tasks.  It could be running to the grocery store to buy milk when in fact you can schedule this on a weekend and buy all the stuff you need for the week. 

Don’t write your plan on stone.  Be flexible as there could be emergencies that might require your immediate attention.  But still, it is imperative that you sit down and write a plan on how to use your time wisely.  Writing a plan will help you determine your priorities. Ask yourself, “What are the top three things that I need to do today?” Before I go to bed at night, I would normally give myself 15 to 20 minutes to evaluate my day.  I use this evaluation to plan my next day.  This technique helps me maximize the use of my limited time. 

 

Time is a commodity that has no price – it is so valuable, so precious that no one can buy or sell time.  No one can bring back the hands of time.  When time is past, it is gone forever.   So do not waste it; don’t be idle.  Rather, make time work for you.

3) Schedule your work according to your energy zone. Are you a morning person or an evening person? Some people are more productive in the early mornings while some work best in the afternoon or at night.  Determine which energy zone you are most efficient and channel your most demanding or difficult work load on these hours.

4) Start your day with God. Matthew 6:33 "But more than anything else, put God first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well." As Martin Luther (Father of Reformation) said, "I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer." Try this technique and be amazed at the results.

Do you need more time? Get more time by practicing above tips.