Freeing Up Time to Be More Productive

Research shows that Americans (with the exception of parents of young children) have about 40 hours more of free time each week than previous generations. According to Geoff Godbey, a professor of leisure studies at Penn State University and co-author of Time for Life, about 25 hours of free time come during weekdays, usually in 30 - 45 minute increments. But the typical American estimates his or her amount of weekly free time at 19 hours. Perhaps that is because we watch an average of 16 - 21 hours of TV a week.

So what do you think is the number one tip for freeing up time? You guessed it, turn off the TV!!! Think about this, how often do you sit down to watch one TV show and end up watching several hours worth? I know I do! I love TV, always have always will! So, I am going to challenge myself to see how productive I can be for an entire week by not turning the TV on in the morning and only sitting down to watch those shows in the evening that I truly enjoy.

For those of you out there who also love TV here are some tips to cut back on the number of hours you are watching TV and to be more productive:

• Try turning the TV on 30 minutes later than you usually do or turning it off 30 minutes earlier.
• Don't turn it on unless there is a specific show you want to see and turn it off when that show is over.
• Tape or Tivo your favorite shows and watch them when it is convenient. This allows you to fast forward through commercials!!
• Another way to save substantial time is to do things that only you can do and let go of the rest.
• If you can afford it get a professional to do the things you can not do or don't enjoy doing.
• Teach your kids how to do age appropriate chores!!
• If you own a business, hire an assistant to handle routine office tasks or give more responsibility (and pay) to your current employees.
• Remind yourself that you do NOT lose control when you delegate, you GAIN control of your time and life.
• Use small blocks of time to accomplish tasks rather than waiting for large amounts of uninterrupted time to take care of things.
• In 10 minutes you can organize a purse, wallet, a drawer, write an email or note or read a book to your child!
• In 5 minutes you can make a few phone calls, sort your mail, or empty the dishwasher.
• In 1 minute you can review your to-do list, make your bed, or stop and smell the roses!

So, go out and have a productive and relaxing day! Yes, both can be achieved in the same day! And if you are a parent of young children and you get a chance to watch a TV show of your choice not theirs, by all means take your chance!!! We all know you are not watching too much TV!!! Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!!