The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is – CS Lewis

There are days when you wish there was more time to do everything that needed to be done. Nobody likes the feeling of having to run after the clock each day because it’s just too tiring. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the errands and commitments that you need to do, and you can end up feeling burnt out at the end of the week.

The good news is that there are time-saving skills you can integrate into your personal life. Learning these skills will help you get more done with less time, and once you’ve mastered it you’ll be able to enjoy a better quality of life.

Time management skills are crucial to a long and happy life. Prioritising important matters and setting adequate time for these things each day will allow you to slow down life a little bit, and live more. You’ll be less cranky and find yourself being more positive. And if you have a positive attitude, you’ll get more done.

Here are some simple time management skills that will help you manage your time more wisely and give you a better quality of life.

1. Reflect on your daily routine

Take some time to understand the things you do each day, and prioritise the important tasks first. It may be different for everyone; it could be focused on health, finances, family, parenting, or hobbies. Look for habits that take up the most time and see how you can minimise or eliminate such habits.

For example, if you find yourself rushing to work each day because you prepare your lunch in the morning, set aside a few minutes each night before you sleep to get it done. This way, when you wake up, half the work is done for you. You’ll be able to enjoy mornings without rushing things anymore.

2. Get a weekly calendar or diary

A calendar will help you keep track of your appointments and other important events. Each morning, reflect on the week’s activities and see if you can do some more today for an event later on in the week. If you have a birthday dinner for a friend in a few days and need to do the groceries too, sneak this in during your work lunch break and you’ll hit two birds with one stone!

3. Limit social media interaction

We oftentimes don’t realise how much time is wasted on social media, which doesn’t get anything done. Restrict going on social media to just 10 minutes a day, and you’ll be surprised by all the things you can achieve.

4. Avoid traffic

There’s probably nothing more frustrating than sitting in traffic, when you’ve got more important things to do. If escaping traffic means waking up an hour earlier, make this small sacrifice and you’ll avoid feeling frustrated and bored. You’ll get more done by the time you’re at the office. You’ll even be motivated to sleep earlier the night before.

5. Automate your tasks online

Save time from going to the bank or grocery shopping with online based services. If you have a list of frequently used household goods such as laundry detergent, shampoo and other personal effects, sign up for online services that deliver it to your home on a regular schedule. You can also automate all your bill payments by subscribing to online services from your bank. This will save you time. No more writing cheques or queuing at the bank to make payments.

Making a few adjustments to your lifestyle to save time will be one of the best choices you can ever make. Even if this means sacrificing a little more, like waking up an hour early for work, this investment will go a long way.

Why not leave a comment on your time saving tips.