reclaim your time

How often do you lose track of time and somehow many of the important things you want to get done just do not get done? Time is such a limited and valuable resource. Once lost, time can never be reclaimed. Therefore, you do need to learn to use your time wisely. Here are a few tips on how to make more time for the important things in your life.

1. Keep a time log: Pay close attention to where your time goes by keeping a log of your daily routine for several days. Once you have a better idea of where your time goes, you can adjust it to make time for the things that are important to you.

2. Create a daily 'to do' list: Planning your time will help you focus on your tasks and prevent you from wasting time trying to remember what you need to do.

3. Eliminate time traps: watching television, surfing the web or playing video games are activities that waste time. Set aside small amounts of time for these activities and take control of your time instead of letting time control you.

4. Learn to say NO: Learning to say 'no' is a critical part of time management. Setting boundaries and exercising your power to choose the things that are important will take you closer to meeting your goals.

5. Get your sleep: Being well rested will help to make you more effective by preventing errors and having to do something over, thereby saving you precious time.

6. Get organized: Having a place for everything saves you time in having to search for something in clutter which consequently adds even more stress to your life.

7. Learn to delegate: You are not going to accomplish more if you decide to do everything yourself. Have your children, spouse or co-workers assist you with some of the work.

8. Reward your accomplishments: Celebrate the completion of your goals. The biggest reward will be decreased frustration and a sense of accomplishment when you begin to see that you are using your time wisely for the things that are important in your life. This, in turn, will increase performance levels and keep you motivated.

Keep in mind that time is our lifeblood and we can reap big benefits if we use it wisely and make time for the things that are important in our lives.