I am writing this while sitting at Love Field waiting for my daughter to board. Then, when I leave here I'm booked with clients who are ready to get their holiday hair on! On the drive over here, I pondered over ideas on how I want teach the Dystopian unit in my classroom. I attempt to utilize every minute given. Yes, I am a energetic enigma, hairdresser and school teacher, but we all wear different hats and shift from one role to another in our daily lives. With all this changing and moving, how do we best maximize our time? Here are ten tips that help me and and might help you.
Ten ways to make the most out of every minute.
1. Live your life; don't watch someone else's on television.
Americans spend an average of five hours a day watching television according to New York Daily News. We spend another three hours perusing social media (New York Times) and although there are some benefits (like finding awesome projects on Pinterest or de-compressing with a fun episode of the Voice), most of those hours are buried in wasted time graveyard. Think about what might happen if instead of watching mindless hours of television or spending countless minutes checking out "the Joneses," people spent quality time with their families, served their community, or even read a great book. Honestly, we could pioneer a new world with that kind of time. Now I'm not advocating TV or Social Media abstinence, (we all know that Twitter celibacy is impractical) but practice safe tweeting! Set boundaries like designating a time limit on how long you allow yourself to creep on Instagram or Facebook. Don't fall prey to a life lost to voyeurism. The next time you sit in front of the tube or go for your phone, ask yourself if what your watching is worth your time? Then ask if your time could be spent better doing something else?
2. Prioritize your time.
Life happens but don't let life "happen" to you. Create your moments. That diabolical Father Time will rob you a life well-lived if you don't consciously schedule your days. Decide at the beginning of the month what makes the calendar. Your time is important--keep this in mind as you schedule. Get mandatory events penciled in first then begin scheduling the "other." And remember, people matter not things. Make time for the ones you love first, then schedule the rest. Of course, we all must spend X amount of time on our responsibilities (like our jobs) but most of us create obligations that aren't necessary. Do you really need to join another committee or register your kiddo in another extracurricular? Leave a little free time for serendipity; every second passed is lost forever to Father Time. Make your seconds count.
3. Learn to say goodbye.
Do you ever find yourself in a exhausting conversation with someone who possesses a negative outlook on life? These "energy vampires" will suck out all the inspiration from you. Learn to kindly step away or redirect the energy curmudgeon. Remember, you author your book. Write the moments the way you want and don't allow others to take away your pen.
4. Invest your time in who and what matters.
Make time for family and good friends because the return on this investment is priceless! When I reflect on choices I've made over the years, I never regret spending time with my girls. If anything, the regrets are that I have not spent more time with them. Also, hanging out with friends is good for the soul. Best friends make the hard times better and good times great. I couldn't live without my fabulous girlfriends. Lastly, organize your work schedule that reflects value. What I mean is prioritize the hours spent at work to gain the most from them. Now I'm preaching to the choir because I am the worst when it comes to spending countless hours on a task when it should have taken one. I envy those who have the gift of "assess and act." My problem is that during the assessment stage, I assess EVERYTHING and end up racing down the rabbit's trail. I end up losing track of the rabbit I was supposed to be chasing! Sooo....
5. Avoid the rabbit's trail and forget about perfectionism.
When you find yourself obsessing over details--STEP-AWAY! Walk away, grab a drink, and relax a minute. Chances are when you go back you will notice what needs to be changed. Make a conscious decision to leave it alone and move on. When you think about it, even perfect can be improved. Be confident in your strengths and recognize your growth. The rest is blurred in the background.
6. Sift and chunk the junk.
De-clutter your mind and your environment. Stay organized to maximize time by purging stuff you don't need. When your mind gets cluttered, focus on what matters. News flash: you control your thoughts. When you find yourself agonizing over situations that are out of your control-stop thinking about it. Let it go and don't crowd your mind with useless, counter-productive thoughts.
7. Less is more.
The more "stuff" you manage, the more time it takes. Simplify your life.
8. You're not tired; you're inspired.
When you feel exhausted and your list is long, make this your mantra. Think about how much energy you have when you are looking forward to a vacation. You are pumped and it doesn't matter that you stayed up late packing and your flight leaves at 6 am: You are inspired! Harness that energy and apply it to the ordinary Monday night when you have worked all day, and you still need to cook dinner, help the kids with homework, and prepare for work the next day. You can do it and do it well because the payoff is that you've provided for your family, you have made a healthy home-cooked meal, and you have contributed to the success of your children.
When you feel exhausted and your list is long, make this your mantra. Think about how much energy you have when you are looking forward to a vacation. You are pumped and it doesn't matter that you stayed up late packing and your flight leaves at 6 am: You are inspired! Harness that energy and apply it to the ordinary Monday night when you have worked all day, and you still need to cook dinner, help the kids with homework, and prepare for work the next day. You can do it and do it well because the payoff is that you've provided for your family, you have made a healthy home-cooked meal, and you have contributed to the success of your children.
9. Use every second.
Everyone needs down time to rest and relax but do so with intent. Take advantage of spare minutes. Check your email while waiting in line, listen to an audio-book while driving across town, listen to the news while getting ready in the morning; seize the day!
Everyone needs down time to rest and relax but do so with intent. Take advantage of spare minutes. Check your email while waiting in line, listen to an audio-book while driving across town, listen to the news while getting ready in the morning; seize the day!
10. Fear not.
We only get so many minutes around the clock, so I plan to wear my best party dress and have a heck of time spinning! Don't be afraid to make time for new adventures. When the dance ends, when the clock stops, go...go knowing you made the minutes count.
~Truly, Cinderella (the middle-class, thirty-something, working mom Cinderella, of course)
