In today’s fast-paced society, many of us find ourselves with our careers, families, and education that we struggle to find time to just enjoy and be ourselves. While most believe those maxed out schedules help us make the most of our productivity, the opposite is actually true. Time alone spent caring for ourselves allows our brains to “reboot,” improves our concentration and productivity, and increases our abilities to problem solve and think creatively. So instead of just “finding time” for yourself, use these five tips to make more time for yourself today.
1. Evaluate your priorities.
One of the first steps you can take toward making time for yourself is evaluating the way you
currently spend your time versus how you want to use your time. Keep a log of all of your
activities for a couple days to see what it is you really do every day and then as you look it over
ask yourself, “Am I really spending my time on the things that are most important to me?”
currently spend your time versus how you want to use your time. Keep a log of all of your
activities for a couple days to see what it is you really do every day and then as you look it over
ask yourself, “Am I really spending my time on the things that are most important to me?”
Depending on your answer to that question, make a list of what activities you want to do to
make you happier, more relaxed, and more satisfied. As you look over the list, rank them in
order of importance and select one or two to focus on first. Having a specific goal in mind will
help inspire you to actually make changes to your daily routine.
make you happier, more relaxed, and more satisfied. As you look over the list, rank them in
order of importance and select one or two to focus on first. Having a specific goal in mind will
help inspire you to actually make changes to your daily routine.
2. Cut what you can.
Once you have a list of your current activities, you can evaluate it to determine what tasks you
can get rid of. Obviously, there will be some that you can’t pass off – like going to your job
every day. However, some others you should be able to delegate, outsource or rework. As
you look over your daily activity list, ask yourself the questions:
can get rid of. Obviously, there will be some that you can’t pass off – like going to your job
every day. However, some others you should be able to delegate, outsource or rework. As
you look over your daily activity list, ask yourself the questions:
• Can I delegate this?
• Can I outsource this?
• Can I streamline this?
You may well find that you can assign a couple of daily chores to your kids to keep the house
orderly without you physically having to do it. Likewise, hiring a tutor for your kids may free
up a few hours of your time and help them still get hands-on support with their homework.
You may also find that streamlining some of your tasks, such as scheduling when you check
email or closing your office door at work, help you be more efficient and get back several
valuable minutes of your day.
orderly without you physically having to do it. Likewise, hiring a tutor for your kids may free
up a few hours of your time and help them still get hands-on support with their homework.
You may also find that streamlining some of your tasks, such as scheduling when you check
email or closing your office door at work, help you be more efficient and get back several
valuable minutes of your day.
3. Schedule your “me time.”
Once you’ve evaluated your schedule and cut what you can, you should have a few
“flex minutes” that you can claim as your own. As you are just learning to make time for
yourself, make it a priority to schedule your time for yourself. Decide exactly what it is that
you are going to do for you, and write it into your schedule just like you would any other appointment.
“flex minutes” that you can claim as your own. As you are just learning to make time for
yourself, make it a priority to schedule your time for yourself. Decide exactly what it is that
you are going to do for you, and write it into your schedule just like you would any other appointment.
For example, you may schedule in an early morning workout before work, or maybe you’ll
schedule some time to read in your room by yourself. Better yet, take a class or join a group
that focuses on something you’ve been wanting to learn or a hobby you’ve been missing.
Having those things on the schedule will make it a lot easier to stick to when the “rubber
meets the road.”
schedule some time to read in your room by yourself. Better yet, take a class or join a group
that focuses on something you’ve been wanting to learn or a hobby you’ve been missing.
Having those things on the schedule will make it a lot easier to stick to when the “rubber
meets the road.”
4. Maximize your time.
If you find that you still have very little free time even after evaluating your time and cutting
what you can, focus on maximizing the time you do have. Think about the “dead hours”
you have in your day, such as during your morning commute or waiting in the pick-up line
on your kids. Think about that time as “me time,” and get creative with how you spend it.
what you can, focus on maximizing the time you do have. Think about the “dead hours”
you have in your day, such as during your morning commute or waiting in the pick-up line
on your kids. Think about that time as “me time,” and get creative with how you spend it.
Start listening to podcasts or meditating during your drive in to work, or bring along some
reading or writing to do while you sit in the car. Using these lost minutes that are a part of
your day is a great way to find and make time for yourself.
reading or writing to do while you sit in the car. Using these lost minutes that are a part of
your day is a great way to find and make time for yourself.
5. Get synergistic.
The more used to making time for yourself that you get, the more you can start getting
creative with ways to do things that breathe life back into you too. A great way to do that
is with the “two birds, one stone approach.” Look for ways you can fit time in for you in the
things you already do.
creative with ways to do things that breathe life back into you too. A great way to do that
is with the “two birds, one stone approach.” Look for ways you can fit time in for you in the
things you already do.
For example, if you have a dentist or doctor appointment, leave a little early and reserve
15 to 30 minutes ahead of the appointment as time for reading, writing, or doing whatever
it is you want. Or maybe fashion is your passion, so you can dress for work in a fun new
maxi skirt or another piece that makes your feel put together and attractive. Or consider
taking a quiet lunch break by yourself where you can sit on a bench outside, soak up some
sun, and reconnect with yourself.
15 to 30 minutes ahead of the appointment as time for reading, writing, or doing whatever
it is you want. Or maybe fashion is your passion, so you can dress for work in a fun new
maxi skirt or another piece that makes your feel put together and attractive. Or consider
taking a quiet lunch break by yourself where you can sit on a bench outside, soak up some
sun, and reconnect with yourself.
“Me time” is one of those things that most of us put at the bottom of the list. But, the more
you make it a priority, the more you will realize it’s not only good for you but that it’s good
for everyone around you too. Use these tips to start finding and making time for yourself,
and you’ll be well on your way to a happier, healthier life.
you make it a priority, the more you will realize it’s not only good for you but that it’s good
for everyone around you too. Use these tips to start finding and making time for yourself,
and you’ll be well on your way to a happier, healthier life.
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