~by Haley Lynn Gray~
.Most people wish there were more hours in a day. I once opened a problem ticket at my old job to ask for more hours, but somehow that request was denied.
If I can’t get more hours in a day, then I certainly want to get more stuff done in a day. Finding ways to squeeze more productivity out of the same number of hours is where finding the right tools and tricks comes in.
I’m not a big believer in multitasking. In fact, there have been a number of studies that show multitasking is just an illusion. I find that trying to do two or three things at once just leaves me thoroughly confused, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. And since multitasking isn’t a thing I can safely do, I have to make things work another way.
To get MORE TIME out of YOUR TIME, try following these proven time saving tips:
1. Schedule all of your tasks. Creating a to-do list and crossing things off of it sounds like a good idea, but the problem is creating the time to get to those tasks. I find that if it’s on a list, those items somehow never seem to get done. If I put them on my calendar and schedule them like any meeting or other time block, I’m much more likely to get things done. It eliminates the to-do wish list and gets those things done.
2. Say “No” to certain tasks. Some tasks we just shouldn’t agree to do because they will become huge time sinks, and we can’t afford to do them no matter how much we want to. Learn to identify the tasks which are going to cost you a lot of time, stress and anxiety, and decline them. 
3. Identify how you are spending your time. You may be startled at how much time you’re spending on social media, just lurking on posts, or how much time you’re spending watching TV. If you’re deliberately watching your favorite show, that’s different than plopping down in front of the TV every night for 2-3 hours. If you are aware of how you’re spending time, you can make better decisions about how you want to spend it.
4. Take care of yourself. This one may sound funny, but it’s true. If you make sure you get enough sleep and enough down time, you will actually be more productive. I have found that when I push too hard, I actually become less focused and almost zombie-like. Sleep and self-care are requirements.
5. Outsource. Some tasks take more time than they are worth. You may enjoy ironing shirts, but if you don’t, drop them off at the cleaner’s to be ironed. It only costs a few bucks, and think of how many hours that will save you.
6. Find tools that work for you. My family loves using Google Calendar to track our comings and goings. Each kid has their own calendar and is responsible for updating that calendar. (Well the teenagers do, anyway!) 
7. Get help. Ask friends and family for help, and don’t try to do it all yourself. I’m not superwoman, even though I play her on TV; I know that I can’t possibly do everything all the time, so I ask for help when I need it.
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There are thousands of time saving tips, but keeping things simple and focusing on what works for you and your family is what will ultimately make you the most productive. So focus on finding the things that work best for you, and always be mindful of what those things are.
Meet the Author: Haley Lynn Gray
Haley helps female entrepreneurs create a strategy plan for their businesses – so they can make enough money to spend quality time with their family, pay for their children’s dance lessons, pay bills – and not worry about where the next client is coming from.
Haley is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Leadership Girl. She helps other entrepreneurs build their businesses by sharing the benefits of her business education and experience through Business Coaching.
Whether you want to get a new business off the ground or expand an existing business, Haley can assist you.
Connect with Haley:
- Work with Haley
- Facebook Page: @LeadershipGirl
- LinkedIn: Haley Lynn (Wilson) Gray
