Time: 1 Hour
STEP 1: Take an inventory of your day. How much time do you spend commuting? How much time are you watching TV or scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter? Also, consider the amount of quality time you are spending with friends and family. Do you have time to accomplish the things you want to during the day? Make a list of your daily habits and then guestimate how much time you spend on each.
STEP 2: During the next day, time yourself on each of your activities to determine how much time you are REALLY spending. You will likely be very surprised that you spend more time on some things than you think. It is important to be as honest and accurate as possible when determining the time spent on each category—being aware of how your time is spent is a crucial step in regaining some free time and sanity.
STEP 3: Write down how much time you’d like to spend on each of these tasks, or where you’d like to decrease or eliminate time you are currently spending. Once this has been determined, create a list of things you’d like to see, do, read, or complete with your newfound time.
STEP 4: Set an alarm for each of the “timewasters” so you can decrease the time spent and move to something more fruitful and productive.
STEP 5: If you cannot do anything about one of your “timewasters” (your commute, time spent waiting in line, etc.) use that time wisely. Pray, call your parents or a friend, or listen to a book or podcast to help you grow mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, or financially. Consider setting aside specific times of the day to check social media (ex: waiting in line) or as a reward for accomplishing a necessary task (ex: 15 minutes after you’ve exercised). Instead of eliminating those “timewasters” you may enjoy, reduce and control the time spent on them.
