Okay, so we all get 24 hours in a day, right? And how many of us have complained at some point that we just don't have enough hours in the day? (Raising my hand.)
Here are 7 ways I have found to "find more time". There are more, but I'd say these are probably at the top of my list.
1. Eliminate the unessential or less important things from your life.
Look at everything you are currently doing with your time on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Then decide which of those things you really must do, which things really matter to you, and which things you can let go so you can focus more time on the things that matter most.
2. Take time to rest, relax, and have some fun!
Sometimes we don't feel like we have enough time simply because we aren't taking time for rest and relaxation, and doing the things we want to do. This time is valuable, as it restores us and brings about much needed balance into our daily lives. If we try to jam our time with too many things, it will make our life feel hectic with an absence of calm, and we will be less productive overall.
3. Recognize how you use your time and alter it a bit.
Do you know how much time you really do have available right now? When we are mindful of how we spend our time, we often find we have more leisure time than we realize. How much time do you really spend on your phone, watching tv, playing computer games, browsing the web, etc? It can add up without you knowing where your time went. I'm not saying to get rid of it all. Having some simple down time is necessary at times to unwind. But you can probably cut back on some of it, thereby creating some of that extra time for those other things you'd really like to find time for. Whether you do so with intent or simply by default, you are making choices on how you spend your time. If you plan your leisure (non-work) time, you can spend part of that time working on your goals and dreams.
4. Get an earlier start to your day.
I find mornings can be such a productive time for getting stuff done. But my problem was always not having long enough mornings to accomplish as much as I'd like to while my energy is at its highest level. Mornings just flew by way too fast. So I decided to increase my morning time by starting my day earlier. I now regularly get up at 5am, which allows me to have a relaxed start to my day with Bible reading and prayer, and time to check my planner and think about the day ahead while I eat breakfast. Getting up extra early also gives me enough time to get in my workout at the gym before starting my workday. Maybe try starting your day a bit earlier to see if tapping into some extra morning time works well for you?
5. De-clutter and organize your home and office.
I am much more efficient in an organized and clutter-free environment. When my surroundings are peaceful, I am at ease, with more energy to tackle my day. Disorganized and cluttered surroundings drag me down, giving me less energy to tackle the things I need to do, which leads to more procrastination and wasted time trying to motivate myself. I know it's often easier said than done, but conquering your clutter really will help you have more time in your day.
6. Establish a daily routine.
When you do things out of habit on a daily basis, they have a way of always getting done without expending extra energy and time trying to figure out what you should be doing and trying to convince yourself to get started on it. You just do it. But remember to leave a little wiggle room for things that aren't the same everyday, and/or things that pop up unexpectedly.
7. Become a planner.
Yes, planning takes time. But it also gives time, because you already know ahead what you will be doing and when. And as a bonus, when you look at the big picture of your week instead of just your days as they happen, you can plan in the things you'd like to do. I've learned to use my planner every day of the week, and I love it. The key to planning is learning how to make your plans and be able to adapt them when circumstances change. (I write in my planner with a pencil.)
These are just some of my suggestions. Don't feel like you have to do all of them at once (or ever)... but if you find yourself oftentimes looking for more time, maybe give one or two a try and see what happens. It's all about finding what works for you. :)
