Posts Tagged ‘efficiency’

Time Management has become a big topic lately. We are constantly trying to do more work, take on more activities, and spend more time with our friends and families. There are a number of techniques you can do to get things done quicker: eliminate unnecessary tasks, make the necessary tasks more efficient, only take on items you really care about, etc. Another one is to do learn your bodies schedule and put it to use.

Every one’s body works differently and functions better at different times. For instance, I find that I am productive in the morning, much less productive in the afternoon, and most creative just before bed. In fact, most of my great ideas and motivations come once I lay down to go to sleep.

Once I figured this out, I was able to get a lot more done and actually spend less time doing it. I try to complete as many of the difficult tasks in the morning when I find it easy to focus and concentrate. I take a rest in the afternoon or complete the tasks that don’t take much mind power. In the evening, I tend to read and study when my mind is most free. I also keep a pen and pad next to my bed so I can write down all the ideas that come. With out it I tend to forget it by morning.

Give it a try. If you feel totally unmotivated, try completing it at the different time and see if it goes better. Once you have your system done you will be able to accomplish more work quicker and easier.

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I am a very high energy person. When everyone else is ready to call it a day, I am ready for the next event. When I am exercising I always try to push myself a little further and when I am working and studying I generally try to fill all my time so none is wasted. Unfortunately, this is actually anti-productive. To be at your best, the body and the mind need time to rest. When fully rested the mind and body work several times better than it does if you are constantly working at 30%. It’s kind of like using a toy that uses batteries. In the beginning the toy works great, but as the batteries where down the speed of the toy decreases even faster.

I find the biggest reason I don’t get enough rest is because I am trying to do too many things at one time. So how do you find more time to rest?

Increase Efficiency and Eliminate
Whether it is your work, your exercise routine, studying or anything else, you should always be trying to do it more efficiently. First pick out the things that don’t really make a difference whether you do them or not and eliminate them. What activities do you do each day that add no benefit? Can they be eliminated? Once you have removed all of these then focus on the things that do add benefit and try to make them more efficient. If you spend an hour a day exercising, could you change your routine to get the same benefit in 30 minutes? Keep trying different things until you find the best method. This is usually not an overnight process.

Dedicate Time

Set a time each day or a day each week to do relaxing things. This can include resting, sleeping, meditation, reading for fun, listening to music, etc. The idea is to choose things that allow your mind and body to relax and recharge. Once you set this time, don’t let anything interfere with it. It may be difficult at first to get used to doing nothing if you are always on the go, but stick with it for a while and you will start seeing the benefits.
Stop Stressing
Stress both takes a lot of energy and is also not healthy for the body. Accept that things will not always go as planned, but have the confidence that you can get them back on track. Also, realize that while everything seems urgent, most things really usually aren’t. Start leaving things for a couple of days and you will realize that things aren’t as urgent as you thought. Sometimes they will fix themselves.

Alternate Days
Both the body and the mind need time to rest. For some people the best way to relax the mind is by doing something physical. If this works for you, choose one day to do something physical and one day to do something mental.

Cut Out Time Wasters
Things such as watching TV or using the internet can be mentally draining. Limit the time you use each and you will find that you have more energy and more time to do other activities. I currently have no TV or internet in my home. For the first time the days have actually seemed to get longer as I am getting older rather than shorter. I have time do do more things each day and get a fuller nights sleep.