Top 5 Ways to Save Time Every Day
I’m busy. You’re busy. There is always plenty to do, but are you getting the most important things done and still enjoying your life?
Take a look at my top 5 ways to save time and try incorporating one or two of them this week.
Make a Weekly Plan
I set aside time every Sunday to plan for the week ahead– appointments, priorities, tasks to accomplish, meals. I then Schedule EVERYTHING on my calendar.
Planning for the week takes me 20-30 minutes, but it saves hours throughout the week. (Join our community HERE and print a FREE Customizable Weekly Planner!)
Create Time Pockets
My biggest time wasters are email, social media and internet surfing from all the links my friends share with me. To combat this monster time waster, I designate specific times of day to check email, voice mail and social media sites. I’ve heard it’s good to set a timer or alarm, but I haven’t gone that far yet.
Use the Quick Sort Method
Many of my responsibilities can quickly balloon into huge time suckers, so I use the “quick sort” method to quickly organize things before I get bogged down in the details.
I’ve set up folders and filters in my inbox to sort emails into categories (read for business, read for fun, homeschool information, etc.). I also just read about a reading service called Pocket that I’ll be trying out.
For paper organization I have a mail sorting system at home where I quickly separate bills and correspondence, and trash the rest. (Read How to Organize Paper and Keep It That Way HERE.)
Create a Command Center
I have one designated space in my home where my keys and purse stay. You can also create a “dump station” for your kids’ backpacks, shoes, coats and anything else you need to get out the door. (A hallway closet is a great space for this.)
The night before gather all the necessary items in the command center so you are ready to head out the door and don’t waste time looking for something when you are already late.
Start Dinner in the Morning
I admit it, one of my most hated duties is cooking dinner.
Every.
Single.
Day.
To make things easier on myself, I take a few minutes each morning to prepare part of dinner ahead of time. I marinate meat, prepare salad and anything else I can do ahead. You can watch my Easy Meal Prep Video here and read a sample Meal Prep Plan here.
What’s your biggest daily time saver? Leave a comment. 🙂
photo credit:Â ntwowe, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I try to make crock pot meals as often as.possible, as I too don’t like cooking everyday.
this may seem like a strange one but a few mintues doing what I might call a brain dump or a little creative writing about what I am worried about for the day seems to clear my mind and put my focus in the right place. often it looks like a letter to God Dear Lord how do I….
Yes, I do a “brain dump” every morning as well Deb. You can read more about it here: https://thepeacefulmom.com/2012/08/20/get-organized-do-a-brain-dump/
I use most of these ideas too. Makes a big difference. I have also found that it helps my day go more smoothly when I look at my to do list the night before. That and saying “no” more frequently to things that I truly should not be putting my time and energy towards during this season of my life.
Yes! I agree with looking at your to do list the night before. Great point Tessa.
I make sure my kitchen is clean before I go to bed. Doing that allows me to start my day with a clean slate and makes the day feel so much more productive.
So true Glenda!