What Are You Doing?

One of the first steps in trying to better manage your time is to examine exactly how you are spending it. This sounds much easier than it really is. It takes a good dose of honesty, a lot of self-awareness, and a bit of courage. You may be surprised at what you find.

Ask yourself how long you usually take to do some simple task, like taking a shower. Then do it and time yourself. You will be surprised how much longer things take than you expected.

Research indicated that the average person spends three hours a day watching TV. Remember, this includes the time you spend channel surfing only to determine that there is nothing on. You also spend about four years of your life searching for lost objects.

One way to keep track of what you are currently doing is to keep a time log. Simply jot down everything you do, and how long it takes. Do this for a day or so. It will take a bit of effort, and you need to be honest with yourself. If it takes you 20 minutes to roll out of bed, jot that down. If you chat with a few friends for 15 or 20 minutes when you get into the office, jot that down. Again, you only need to do this for a day or so. Don't berate yourself because of what you find. Just use it to fit in the things you want to do.

You are currently using up all the time you have. If you have decided to add a workout schedule, or anything else, to your current activities, you need to look at your time log and determine what you will eliminate.

Of course, many of us spend a great proportion of our time in work. However, Smart Money Magazine reported in May 2003 that white collar workers are spending less time in the office than they have in 20 years. Many of us have filled in those hours with our kids' soccer games and dance lessons. No matter what we are doing with the time, we are spending it. And if you want to fit in a new activity you have to either delegate some tasks or simply eliminate them.

Don't wait too long to analyze your current schedule. It is getting late. As Dr Seuss said: "How did it get so late so soon?/ It's night before it was afternoon./ December is here before it was June,/ My goodness how the time has flewn./ How did it get so late so soon."