Time Management: 5 Ways to Help Save You Time
/Time management was one of the most important things that I had to teach in school. When I started teaching 5th grade, I was amazed at how many students could not manage their time. When parents don’t manage their time, neither do their children and it affects their work.
Time management is something that has to be learned, it just doesn’t happen. Managing our time is an ongoing duty; if we are not careful, we will let it slip through our fingers. It’s easy for people to think a homemaker has all the time in the world to get things done, but that isn’t so.
Time Management: 5 Ways to Help Save Time
Plan Ahead - You can’t add more hours in your day, so you need to look at your time, differently. You need to be more aware of the time that you are spending. Are there areas in your life that you can change or maybe remove? Can you complete more than one task at a time? What about making fewer trips to town during the week? Try and schedule doctor appointments on the same day that you grocery shop.
Set Weekly Schedule/Routine - I taught school for 5 years after my son was born. I had to learn to juggle school life and all that went on at home. I’ve mentioned before about the friend who suggested a cleaning schedule. Each day was given a job and I didn’t do any other chore on that day unless I had extra time. It only took about 2 weeks for me to realize that I was caught up and had everything looking good. I even found that on some days that I was able to do more, so I ended up with a free day.
Here's what my cleaning schedule looks like.
Set Goals - Make a list of your goals for each day. Refer to these, when you get the urge to go to the mall, visit a friend or even volunteer for something or someone. In my opinion, there is nothing more important than your family and home – other than the Lord. If the goals you have for the day are completed, there is nothing wrong with visiting or volunteering. Keep what matters the most a priority.
Screen Phone Calls - I do not answer the phone in the mornings unless it is my husband calling. My family knows that before 1:30, I’m homeschooling, so they wait to call. I do screen my phone calls for emergencies that may arise. I’m thankful, that I do not like to talk on the phone. But there are many who do, so the phone is something that can take away from using your time wisely.
Limit Surfing the Web - One really big time thief for me is the internet. I plan an hour in the morning and in the evening for leisure internet enjoyment. I use a timer so I can keep track of my time. I have set hours I use for my blog, so those would be considered business hours.
I was reading somewhere not too long ago the writer told that her grandmother always tried to have her housecleaning finished before 10:00 every morning. This opened the door to having more time to do the things she wanted to do. I loved that idea so much I started trying to have my daily chores completed except for the kitchen before we start school. Once we are at the point where my son works on his own I can finish cleaning the kitchen. It is nice to have everything finished early on during the day so I can spend the afternoon writing and enjoying something fun.
Remember the saying, “Slow and steady wins the race.” You know, I’m not Wonder Woman and neither are you. We can only do so much each day. Don’t beat yourself up, if you have one day that doesn’t go according to plan. Remember the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
What are some things you do to save time?