Women's Health & Fitness

Perfect timing

Rework your to-do list and make more time for you with Lifecoach Samantha McDonald's tips to maximizing the hours in your day

How many times in the past month have you found yourself saying, "I'd love to, but I just don't have the time"? Quite a few, hey? It seems there's never enough time for work, rest and play, and all those things we'd like to do, just never get done. And, yet, didn't someone once say that, if you need something done, give it to a busy person?

The problem with being busy is that that's exactly what we focus on - being busy. And then we end up feeling overwhelmed, tired and run-down because all we can see is the activity and energy it's taking to get anywhere, and we feel like we're on a running treadmill and about to fall off.

So, how can you have time for absolutely everything? Firstly, you need to look at how you really spend your time. Buy a small journal and log every one of your activities for one whole week. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it's definitely worth it. My bet is that you'll find a whole heap of things written down there that weren't absolutely necessary and you'll probably be surprised by how much time you actually (dare I say it) waste.

It might also be interesting to note your energy levels each day. Are you most effective at seven in the morning, or are you someone who works best late into the night? This may give you an idea of how to schedule your time. For instance, if you're an energizer bunny first thing in the morning, perhaps it's best to jump out of bed for a morning walk rather than trying to drag yourself back out of the house when you get home from work.

Apart from your journal, invest in a nice new diary. It doesn't matter whether it's a traditional diary or one of the electronic varieties. It just matters that you can take it with you wherever you go. I'll show you why.

Gym

Ah, yes. Unless we make exercise a huge priority, most people find that their well-intentioned idea of hitting the gym on a regular basis just doesn't happen. You may be too busy, too tired, or simply can't get away from the kids. But, all is not lost.

Get out that trusty diary of yours and schedule three one- hour sessions of exercise for the following week. I know that might sound like a lot, especially if you've previously come up with every excuse under the sun not to exercise, but scheduling can really help. And, even better, if you schedule your exercise for the whole of the next month, you're unconsciously telling yourself that exercise is a huge priority for you, and it will be done! The trick here, though, is to use a highlighter to emphasise your exercise time, so that no other tasks sneak in and take up its space. Make exercise a priority. You know you'll feel much better afterwards.

Friends

Thank goodness for email and Facebook, or most of us would never catch up with our friends! Again, it's great to have good intentions but, unless you actually make time to catch up with the people you love hanging around, months or even years can slip by!

So, stop throwing that old line around - the one that goes something like, "Oh yes, let's catch up soon". Get out your trusty diary and make sure your friend does the same, and plan a get-together. If you have heaps of people you'd like to catch up with, get a group together. Organise with your friends to make these catch-ups a regular occurrence - say, once every two months - and make it worth it by having a really great time!

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