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10 Ways to Find More Time

You have a sink full of dishes, three loads of laundry, 17 bills to pay, you're not sure how many e-mails to answer, a big stack of novels you'd love to read, and zero — count them — ZERO minutes of free time. "Where does the time go?" you lament. Here are some ideas to get you started on your quest to have a life:

1. Reduce waiting time. If your doctor or meetings always run late, plan ahead. Make good use of this time and carry note cards, bills and magazines in your tote.
2. Limit your television watching. Sensible limits may relieve guilt from overindulging, while freeing up time for more worthwhile pursuits. TIVO or tape your favorite shows and skip the commercials.
3. Say no to yourself. If you're not excited about attending a social function, then don't go! Stay home and relax. Or if you planned to go grocery shopping, but the sun is shining and you'd rather be in your garden, it's perfectly fine to change your mind and do your shopping tomorrow.
4. Cut down on cleaning. Keep cleaner within reach and spray the shower before getting out. Wipe the sink after each use. If you're inclined to make the bed, pull up the quilt before you get out of it. Use washable throw rugs with rubber backs in heavy traffic areas. Change filters on the heating/cooling system frequently to cut down on dust.
5. Batch tasks when you can. It takes longer to do small administrative tasks one at a time. Instead practice "saving up" these items. Put all your copies in a "to be copied" project file; your filing in a "to be filed" bin; etc. Pick a regular day and time to handle all these tasks at once.
6. Don't put things down "just for now." Temporary places too often become permanent places. Put something away while it's in your hand rather than allowing large piles to accumulate.
7. Reduce time at the store. Use catalogues – or store websites – which will gift-wrap and mail presents for you. Buy gourmet gifts from an online bakery or specialty store to have on hand when you attend parties – nuts, jams, teas and candies make excellent gifts.
8. Hire it out. You can get the kid down the street to mow your lawn for $20. Now think about hiring out housekeeping, laundry, cooking and other tasks you don't enjoy or need to do.
9. Change your pace. If you normally do your grocery shopping on Saturday, pick a weeknight to go instead. The stores are much less crowded on Wednesday evening than Saturday afternoon. The desire to get home after work, instead of feeling like you have all day, will keep you clipping down the aisles.
10. Focus on simple pleasures. When your day's work is done, make time for yourself. Relaxation doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. A bubble bath or really good cup of coffee can be as satisfying (and less time consuming) than a spa visit or fancy restaurant. Yes, extravagant occasions are nice but when you focus on simple pleasures, you'll get more for less, in less time, more often.

Make it a productive day! ™

Visit The Productivity Pro® online for a complete selection of educational resources.

Warning: bureaucracy at work is hazardous to your health. Globe and Mail - Canada
"... bureaucratic organization can crush initiative and contribute to negative emotions that can have a serious impact on employee productivity and performance."

Fortune Magazine "HOW I Work".

CIOS GET MARCH MADNESS SANITY CHECK. SearchCIO.com - USA
"When it comes to enforcing security and productivity among his company's 600 employees, Craig, I defy you to find any employee given access to the Internet who..."

Hello Laura,

I just wanted to email you and tell you I purchased a sales disk set and one of them is your 1-hour seminar on productivity and I have listened to it several times. Your suggestions for becoming more focused and dealing with the 6 D's have helped me in my sales efforts. When I signed onto your website as you suggested on your CD I see your based in Denver, I am also from Denver but moved to Georgia about three years ago. I love it there and miss it. I was motivated to email you and tell you I enjoyed your seminar and will look forward to more information on your site.

Thank you,

Allison H.

Hello Laura,

I just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed your presentation at the ADP MOTM, Organizing your Office and Life. When I got back to the office I put your 6 "Ds" to work for me right away. I have ordered and organized the hanging file folders and put together my paper tickler file (which was my big downfall before) and have cleaned off my desk. It has actually been a couple of funny days since people walk in my office now and ask me if I have quit, or where am I going! :)Thank you for your ideas. If you have a newsletter mailing list I would love to be added to it...since I have unsubscribed to so many of the junk newsletters that I never read I can afford to get yours now.

Sincerely in your debt,

Sheila C.
Formerly Utterly Disorganized!

NEW! Keynote or workshop available based upon Laura's new book Find More Time: How to Get Things Done at Home, Organize Your Life, and Feel Great About it.

You have a sink full of dishes to wash, three loads of laundry to do, 17 bills to pay, 13 e-mails to answer, a big stack of novels on the nightstand you'd love to read, and zero minutes of free time. You don't need more hours in the day, you just need different habits.

In her lively, practical, results-oriented presentation, FIND MORE TIME, Laura Stack breaks life down into 8 pillars— Plans, Priorities, Personality, Pests, Possessions, Paper, Post, and Play—and shows you how to be more productive in all eight, so you will never get knocked off balance again. Whether you need help on just a few things or feel like your life is totally out of control, with FIND MORE TIME, you'll learn how to:

• Schedule your myriad of family activities, sports, and community work
• De-clutter your storage areas, kitchen, closets, and kids rooms
• Get through your housework faster with shortcuts and time-saving techniques
• Manage paper, personal e-mail, and phone calls
• Complete those projects you've been thinking about, but never manage to get to
• Find time to invest in some leisure time for yourself

FIND MORE TIME will help you streamline your space, time, and information to reduce your stress, and ultimately create and sustain a productive home environment, so you'll have more time to enjoy your life. An internationally-known productivity expert, Laura’s breezy style, straightforward advice, enviable energy, and cheery confidence can help anyone get the most out of their hectic lives.