We are aware that we have 24 hours every day and that this should be a lot of time for us to accomplish what we ought to and still leave room to relax or do things that simply pleases us. The dawn should bring a new outlook to us all and we should feel invigorated and all set to handle anything. However, we find ourselves always catching up even if we are giving our best. When the sun sets, we feel unsuccessful because there are still tasks left for us to do. Time constraints is something a busy working mum well understands but still wishes that she can find an extra hour somehow. Maybe we really can.
1. Set up your phone so that all calls are processed before they reach you. There are some great programs available these days, including Google Voice, which will help you to prioritise the calls that you really need to take, from the calls that can wait. You can even block unwanted or troublesome calls through the system. By having your own, personal secretary in this way, you will not waste valuable minutes.
2. Learn about outsourcing. While we know that it is difficult to find a good childminder and you might be taking on this task yourself when working or tele-commuting from home, understand that other chores can be outsourced, including daily cleaning work.
3. Get a good time management software program, learn how to use it and stick with it. It might seem a bit alien to you at first, but if you are really stringent, you will save a great deal of time each day by focusing your attention.
4. When it comes to planning, make sure that you do it! If you have a rather muddled list of things that you have to accomplish in your head, you will bounce back and forth between these chores and not be efficient. Allocate time to plan ahead, whether this takes place during the prior evening, or when you first wake up.
5. Reserve an hour to communicate. It comprises all voice calls you have to reply to, emails to check,Facebook or other social networking accounts to update. You would be amazed how much time can be lost if you're constantly checking e-mails or taking phone calls without a structured plan.
6. Always include a time allowance at particular intervals when creating a schedule. This means that you should not plan one task after another within an unrealistic time frame. Having some sort of "buffer" will minimize the risks of deviating or falling off your schedule.
7. Combine your exercise time with "catching up" time. If you allocate, as you should, a minimum of 30 minutes to 45 minutes a day for physical activity, combine this with your time to catch up on the news and current affairs. It can mean like setting up a TV in your home fitness area, or probably an opportunity to listen to music or skim through the latest bits through your e-book reader.
Online life coaching experts know full well the value of time management and how adequate planning can help you to free up extra time that you might have overlooked. Professional coaching is not just for corporate executives, but it's now widely available and recommended for people in all walks of life. Coaching for women is particularly recommended in your case!