This is Part 2 of a two-part series blog post. In the first blog, we laid out the 4 STEPS needed to begin the process of gaining back 10 hours per week…just for YOU! Now you’re ready to make some adjustments that will free up your time and change your life, creating more happiness and balance overall. These changes may not be easy at first, because were so programmed in our habits. But if you do these tactical strategic rituals, I guarantee you more fulfillment. Heck, you may even gain back even more than 10 hours per week. I know that I have! My life is far more balanced and I am much happier living by these following rules:
Rule #1
Only check your emails twice a day. I know that seems radical, but remember the days before email? Remember the days when we’d actually have to make phone calls and going to actually “see” people? We live in a society that expects immediate gratification. We do not work under the guidelines of anyone else but ourselves! I live by the rule that if someone sends me an email and wants a response, I have 24 hours to respond. If it’s something urgent and someone really needs to get a hold of me, they will text me or they will call me. There is virtually nothing that is sent via email that requires an urgent reply.
For emails I follow the 3D Rule: Delete It, Delegate It, Do It
One of the biggest time wasters is reading an email and saying to yourself I’ll get to that later. It’s like moving paper around on your desk and touching it 10 times. That’s another big time waster. When you read your email if it requires no action, delete it.
If it’s something that you think you may want to read later, create a folder and move it into there for a later time. If the email requires someone else’s attention, forwarded to that person immediately. You may want to acknowledge the sender and let them know that it is being handled and that they’ll be hearing from the other party with a response. Finally, if the email requires an action on your part, handle it right then and there. Do not put off something for a later time, as that creates a backlog of tasks you need to get to at another time. I do my best to make sure at the end of the day, my inbox is as close to empty as possible. I then spend about 5 to 10 minutes at the end of the week emptying out the trash folder. Deleting past documents creates room for new money, business, and energy to flow into your life.
You have no idea how freeing the feeling is of scheduling time only two times a day to check your email. This sounds like it would be really difficult to do but trust me it isn’t. People will respect and honor your boundaries. They will soon know that when they require an answer or an action on your part, they will receive it within 24 hours, which is completely reasonable!
Rule #2
Only check, post, respond to social media once a day. This might be the most challenging of all, given that social media has become such a large part of our lives. However, if you allow anywhere from 15 minutes to 60 minutes per day for all of your social media, I think you’ll find that that is enough time to catch up on everyone’s personal lives, wish everyone happy birthday, read all relative articles related to your interests in business, and even do a little pinning if that’s your thing. For me, gone are the days that I check Facebook three, four, five times per day. Not that I don’t love keeping up with all my friends and family because I do. But, while I’m looking and watching other people’s lives, it’s taking away from my own life.
Rule #3
Schedule exercise every day for 30 to 60 minutes. Your health and your body are your greatest asset and it does not matter how much money or time you have if you don’t have your health. This is critical and there is time no matter what’s going on in your life for you to give yourself that gift every day. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy like going to the gym or yoga class.… Although those are wonderful experiences and opportunities to share space with others who have those interests as well. It could be as simple as taking a walk in the morning or after dinner, on your lunch hour, etc. just move your body for at least 30 minutes a day. Not only will you stay healthier, but you’ll have more energy.
Rule #4
Schedule time to read 30 to 60 minutes per day. Make sure it’s something that inspires you or entertains you. This activity will help reignite positive energy and playfulness in you. When you’re reading, it means that the TV is off, which is a good thing. I’m not saying that all TV is bad, but scheduling time to read means you’re less likely to just habitually turn on the tube, channel surf, and vegetate. It also stops you from doing mindless eating, since it requires your hands to hold the book or tablet.
Rule #5
This is the most important rule of all. SCHEDULE YOUR FUN! Put it in your calendar in RED! Make it big and bold so that every time you look at it, you are reminded of how important it is! Make sure to put it in there every week! Then, watch as it expands beyond the 10 hours. Soon you’ll be looking for other ways to cut out time wasters so that you can enjoy more of the things you love to do and that enrich your amazing life!
Have FUN with your new found time! Write to me and let me know what you’re doing with it! I love your pictures, comments and feedback!
Quote: Time is what prevents everything from happening all at once. – Albert Einstein
4 STEPS on How To Gain An Extra 10 Hours A Week…Just for YOU!
Diane- great advice. I’m getting so much more done now that I limit my email to 2x per day (at least that’s my intention.) The only problem I have with that system is the “email conversation” that people expect to go back and forth in real time.