77 Ways to Create Spare Time

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was more time in the day so you could accomplish everything you want to get done?

Here are 77 suggestions for things you can do to create more spare time in your life. Even if you only implement one or two of these ideas, your time management skills will improve. So, find techniques that appeal to you and try them out.

1. Find a new technique every day to help you cut down the amount of time it takes you to do things. Look for ways to reduce steps, speed up processes, combine tasks, or eliminate unnecessary or unimportant endeavors.

2. Plan your daily schedule first thing in the morning and set priorities for the day. Make a list and tick off the important items first.

3. Have a light lunch so you don't get sleepy in the afternoon. Take quick breaks to rejuvenate your body.

4. Save up trivial matters for a short work session once a week.

5. Scan your list of goals and priorities once a week (or month) and revise them as necessary. Identify activities that you can do each day that will accomplish your goals.

6. Carry blank 3x5 cards in order to jot down notes and ideas so you don’t have to take time to remember them later.

7. Delegate everything where you do not need to be personally involved. Use specialists to help with special problems.

8. Generate as little paperwork as possible. Throw away non?essential papers as soon as you read them so you are not distracted by clutter.

9. Avoid working on weekends or late at night. This time tends to be less productive because of fatigue or distractions unless, of course, you are a night person.

10. Give yourself time off as a special reward when you've accomplished important tasks.

11. Concentrate your efforts on only one thing at a time. Eliminate distractions that may cause you to jump around.

12. Start off by working on the most important parts, or high pay?off items, of a project first.

13. Focus on projects that provide the greatest long?term benefits.

14. Only handle a piece of paper twice -- once to determine its priority and then once again to actually read it.

15. Skim books quickly when looking for ideas. Don't get suckered into reading something you only planned to scan.

16. Examine old habits for possible streamlining. Eliminate unnecessary ruts.

17. Put "waiting time" to good use ?? relax, read, organize your work, check emails, or do something you normally would not have done.

18. Don't waste time regretting failures or feeling guilty about what you didn't get done.

19. Remember: There is always enough time for important things. People find time to do what they want to do. Focus on the things that matter most in your life.

20. Identify your prime time and then use it for the most difficult or most unrewarding tasks.

21. Rearrange your time to fit the task. There may be times of the day that are more appropriate for the task. For example, do tiring tasks first and "no?brainers" when you have no energy.

22. Use normal periods of downtime to attend to other people's needs. Use this time for appointments and meetings.

23. Set goals and objectives, with prioritized strategies to achieve them.

24. Audit how you spend your time each day in order to discover patterns that can be re?worked. Use a time log to track how much time you spend on various tasks.

25. Tackle a task the first time an opportunity presents itself. Do not waste time thinking and rethinking about how to handle it.

26. Let subordinates handle and monitor the routine or unexceptional matters and allow them to make recurring decisions that do not require your input.

27. Respect the time of your subordinates. This includes saving your own time by not frequently checking up on subordinates.

28. Learn how to end conversations and discussions once the subject has been sufficiently covered.

29. Start meetings on time and end on time ?? even if it means using an automatic timer.

30. Discourage unnecessary meetings. Eliminate unproductive meetings. Use emails, texts, phone calls, and other faster means to address issues rather than holding a meeting.

31. When calling others, begin the conversation by telling them how much time the phone call will take; then take only that amount of time. When others call you, give them a timeframe in which to control their conversation. Don't allow people to go overtime.

32. Work ahead when you're on a roll so you can ease back when you're feeling less efficient.

33. Break big jobs down into smaller increments, then perform some of these tasks each day so the project moves consistently forward.

34. Don't carry details in your head ?? use calendars, lists, and reminders to get them off your mind.

35. End each day by outlining the priorities for the next day.

36. Find productive or pleasurable ways to use idle time. Carry reading material, a tape recorder, stationery, etc.

37. Set aside a specific day or evening each week for personal business. Lump errands together rather than having them take up parts of several days.

38. Assign routine tasks to a regular daily or weekly time slot.

39. Spend the first hour of the day doing whatever will move the day's business forward ?? phone calls, emails, meetings, scheduling, etc.

40. Do first what you dread the most.

41. Determine the end of your conversations in your opening remarks. For example: "I just need a quick answer to a short question" or "I only want to spend two minutes on this."

42. To keep visits in your office brief, tell the person early in the conversation how much time they have, meet the visitor in the doorway, put books and papers on your chairs so the visitor cannot sit down, continue standing after greeting the visitor, etc. When you visit others, don't sit down.

43. In order to keep from being distracted by people who pass by your office, place your desk so you sit with your back toward the door or so you are perpendicular to the door. Don't let distractions in the hallway interrupt your productivity.

44. Keep your office and desk as clean as possible to keep your mind from being distracted.

45. There are four basic causes of procrastination: fear, being in awe of the immensity of the task, disliking the task, or boredom. Understanding the root of your procrastination can help you to determine how to overcome it.

46. When procrastination hits, do anything ?? sharpen a pencil, dial the first digit of the number, write "Dear Sir", or anything related to completing the task. Once you have begun your momentum will build up and you will more than likely continue working.

47. When procrastination hits, do nothing. Physically remove yourself from the task and ask yourself a series of questions about the job you are procrastinating and what techniques you can use to begin the task. When you return to your desk you will very likely begin the item having once put it off. Typically, in the past, you may have reached for some less important task to do just to feel busy. In this case, however, you confront your procrastination and behaviorally manipulate yourself into positive action.

48. When procrastination hits, create a deadline. No task has a sense of urgency unless it has a deadline. Put the deadline in writing and force yourself to become accountable to the deadline by publicly committing to it.

49. Create a game out of tasks that usually are boring. If it’s a repetitive task you're tired of doing, challenge yourself to break a speed record or focus on improving the quality of your efforts.

50. Set a definite "quiet time" for yourself. Let everyone know that you are not to be disturbed during this time. Use this time for planning and creative thinking.

51. When you are working on complex tasks that require concentration or focus, isolate yourself so you are not interrupted. Let people know you are not to be disturbed. Close your door. Lock it if necessary.

52. Create a signal outside your office door to let people know when you can or cannot be disturbed. For example, a green signal means people are free to enter your office as needed; a yellow signal means they should pause to determine whether the reason for the interruption is important; and a red signal indicates you are not to be disturbed unless it is an emergency.

53. If you do not make contact on the phone, leave a detailed message telling the other person what you want. This gives them time to gather the information you need or to leave a message for you with the answer to your question.

54. Write a brief text message instead of an email.

55. Group similar activities together for more efficient action.

56. Determine the value of what you do. Maybe it's not worth doing.

57. Eliminate any unnecessary activities or valueless tasks.

58. Use a desk and pocket calendar and plan your activities.

59. Prepare your comments in advance when using the phone or conducting meetings so you don't ramble or go off on tangents.

60. Handle all paperwork as soon as you get it ?? at least to determine the priority it warrants.

61. Go someplace where you can get away from interruptions, but don't make it too comfortable. For some people, working at home is not a time saver. Create an environment where you can stay focused.

62. Use small note pads to keep track of tasks.

63. Don't write a memo when a post?it will do. Don’t schedule a meeting when an email will do.

64. Put all meetings and appointments on your calendar, both work and personal so you can easily see your workload.

65. Go to work early in order to get organized and settled.

66. Group related items, such as telephone calls, errands, meetings, visits, etc.

67. Learn to determine between job-related socialization and personal socialization. Greatly reduce any personal socialization on the job.

68. Although planning your time takes time, in the long run, it will save you time. Slow down in order to speed up. Plan ahead, map out your approach, determine your objectives, etc. so you know exactly where you are going and how you will get there.

69. Turn recurring crises and fire-fighting into routine responses by developing a set procedure for how to respond to these types of situations. Any event that happens regularly can be planned for and streamlined.

70. Every now and then do the unexpected. If you plan to work on the weekend, relax instead. Sometimes a change of pace can energize you so you can get more work done later.

71. Set a realistic schedule for your day. Don’t schedule for a perfect day without interruptions.

72. Find out other people’s time patterns. Know when they are normally in their office, in meetings, at home, etc. so you can plan accordingly.

73. Determine the consequences of not doing something. Stop doing those things that have no negative consequences.

74. Determine what can be postponed. Sometimes bosses ask for something and then forget they wanted it. Children say they want one thing for Christmas in October but then want something completely different in December. Some problems get resolved when left alone. By postponing your actions, you can avoid doing work that didn't actually have to be done or keep from doing something one way when someone wants it done a different way later. 

75. Clean out your drawers and closets to make it easier and faster to find things.

76. Throw out everything you don’t need in order to keep from going through it again later.

77. Finally, the greatest time management tip of all -- SAY NO. Say it often, and mean it. You don’t have to do everything. Not everything is important. Some things don’t matter. Let it go by saying no.

And here’s the super bonus tip: If you don’t manage your time wisely by implementing some of these hints, you’ve just wasted your time reading this article. §

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Mac McIntire is the president of Innovative Management Group, a Las Vegas-based training and consulting firm specializing in strategic visioning and alignment, organizational effectiveness, management development, quality improvement, customer service, and teamwork. He can be reached at 702-592-6431 or e-mail [email protected]. His website is www.imglv.com