Maximizing your time doesn’t mean simply adding more away-from-work time to your life. It also requires that you become intentional about the time you already have. Did you know? American adults spend over 3 hours of leisure time each weekday in front of a screen. How would you use the extra time you might gain from reducing your TV time? Maximize your away-from-work time to build relationships, practice a new hobby, or focus on yourself.
One strategy is to re-energize your daily activities. Follow these tips to make the most from the time you have.
Maximize Movement: Use exercise to follow an interest or build relationships.
• Ride bikes with the family. Remember helmets, please!
• Take a dance class with a partner or friend.
• Run with headphones—listen to an audiobook or podcast.
• Appreciate nature while you hike in your local park
Re-Energize Reflection: Boost your time through intentional reflection.
• At a red light: count to five and take in a long breath. Hold for a second. Then, slowly breathe out for another five counts.
• Before bed each night: reflect on the good things that happened to you that day. Write 3 things for which you are grateful on note paper.
• In the morning: Wake up fifteen minutes earlier to write, read, draw, or just breathe. Choose something to help you experience a calm, quiet moment before the day begins (and before family members wake up).
Maximize Meals: Cook easy, healthy meals that make tasty leftovers.
• Dust off your slow cooker. On Monday morning, turn on a pot of turkey, black bean, and tomato chili. Serve with whole grain corn bread for dinner. Eat the leftovers wrapped in whole grain tortillas on Tuesday.
• Stir-fry a quick weeknight meal. In a wok or skillet, mix frozen veggies with a misting of olive oil (I use a Misto Oil Sprayer
• Roast a whole chicken for a weekend meal. For lunches this week, pop the leftovers between slices of whole grain bread, or on top of a green salad.
Re-Energize Rest: Create an environment for a peaceful night’s sleep.
• Adopt a bedtime routine to cue your body that it is time to sleep. Try drinking caffeine-free tea, reading a book, or listening to soothing music.
• Darken your bedroom at night. Invest in blackout curtains to keep the streetlamp from shining in your window.
• Keep your bedroom a screen-free zone. Watching television before bed stimulates your brain, and might keep you awake. And, the light from a screen could wake you up as you are dozing off.
Click here for a printable version of this tipsheet
Comment on this post: What strategies do you use at home to make the most from the time you have?
© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
Manners matter here! Not sure whether your comment is irrelevant, impolite, or disrespectful? Read my commenting rules Commenting Rules
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!