“Free time” and “life changing events” don’t often appear in the same sentence.
As much as we want to squeeze in that coffee with friends, that walk on the beach or that ice skating session, there aren’t enough hours in the day.
If you are finding that you don’t have free time for the things you love, never fear!
Here are a few ways to create more free time.
Monitor multitasking
While multi-tasking can be your best friend or your worst enemy. If you are trying to write up a report while checking your emails and watching a chat window, chances are your productivity levels are going to plummet. Similarly, if you have three chores on the go at home, the time you take alternating between them can bring your efficiency to a grinding halt. If you find that multi-tasking is causing more harm than good, stop alternating your tasks. Bite the bullet and knock over one.
Sure, it may be necessary to set your phone to voicemail or switch off the internet to avoid being distracted by another task (or funny cat videos on youtube). Applying yourself whole-heartedly to a single task at a time will increase your efficiency and allow you to tick those tasks off your to-do list sooner! Hello free time!
Plan ahead for free time
The morning hours are often our most productive, but they can also be the hours that fly by the fastest. Before we know it, midday is upon us and that to do list hasn’t been touched!
The morning chaos sometimes can’t be avoided, and there will definitely be days where you blink and you miss the am hours. But by planning ahead, there will be others days that run smoothly, and you will find yourself with some free time before the kids need picking up. Try preparing small things like the lunches, your work bag or your outfit for the next day. These contingency measures won’t always prove successful, but are well worth it for the days that they do!
Make the most of “waiting time”
We are often asked to wait in different areas of our life. At the doctor, at our workplace, or even on the phone. Try to be proactive if you find yourself waiting for an extended period of time. Check and reply to your emails on your phone or fill out that form you have been meaning to get to. This strategy will allow you get two jobs done in the time that it would usually take you to finish one and cash in free time at the end of the day.
Prioritise
Consider what you must do, what you like to do and what you do as a gap-filler. Are you involved in a group out of a sense of obligation, rather than passion? Do you spend too much time in front of the TV – or not enough? Once you have decided what does and doesn’t give you satisfaction, the rest is pretty simple – cut out the bad and keep the good!
Take social media off your phone
Being connected to social media 24/7 can lead you waste an extra hour in the day through “5 minutes catch-ups”. These catch-ups don’t really feel like free time, nor do they give us any more satisfaction in our lives. There are only so many pictures of people’s lunches that you can stomach in a day! Keep social media for a designated time on your computer only.
