Time: there is never have enough of it!

Time is a very precious commodity and it is one that has a will of its own, almost. To be able to have a rein over it is a falsehood in some ways, but the effort to manage time is what many of us try to do through time management. Time management is the act of trying to use time as effectively and wisely as possible, so that more tasks or activities can be packed into a day or week etc. so we can attempt to do all that we hope and want. This is probably a goal for many working people and parents, but it might not be such a focus if you are a young child, in retirement, or have an amazing lifestyle where a lot of mundane tasks have been delegated.

Though not a master myself of time management, there is always the endeavour to maximise a day, especially the older you become, for it feel as if the clock ticks even faster!

Despite raising early to enjoy quiet, reflective time each morning, the minutes disappear, as the checklist of jobs for the day is either reviewed or written, emails are checked, a couple of news stories are read, another household task is completed, and a basic breakfast prepared. Prior to corona, the gym could be squeezed in; instead of article reading or chores completed. It opened at 5.00, an ungodly hour, but highly practical when time chasing is an issue.

The alarm clock rings to signifies my husband’s start to the day. The kettle boils again, the news channel comes on, and he starts his email and online news checking. By 7.00 am, he has left, if it is an at the office week as opposed to work from home week, and I am about to leave, so the work day begins. 

As we have no children in the house, that morning obstacle course is not one we have to overcome; however, my husband’s daughter has a little one and so there is often an exchange over Messenger as she prepares porridge and wash time begins. Then the vuggestue drop off and cycle to work, quickly, scenario unfolds. Hurry, hurry, for the clock is ticking…….

At work, it is one, long line of meetings, or classes, emails, discussions, and job specific tasks, punctuated by a trip to the coffee machine, bathroom, and canteen. Yet, it all takes place with a spring in one’s step as the minutes count and lateness is not the etiquette.

Work is over or the allocated hours, for then for many it is the child pick up and after school clubs, grocery collection, or a gym session, or language class, dinner preparation and finally a little time to enjoy a meal and a family discussion prior to clean up, homework assistance, bedtime stories, etc.

Finally, there is possibly time to enjoy some television, a book or music, a hobby or more email checking and planning…..then it is bedtime. The day has disappeared, however productive it may have been, and the time spent, never to be recouped. 

With this being the regular formula with a little more flexibility at the weekend or downtime days, the question remains as to how can we buy back, grab, or make more time? 

There are no magical formulae only a few strategies to reallocate time:

1. If possible, plan the day or have an overview of what needs to be done and how long a task may take to see if the plan is feasible and whetter tasks or activities need to be reallocated. It is necessary to be realistic and this can be hard but essential!
2. Prioritize the tasks and activities using a number or scale system and then in a weekly overview, allocate the tasks for different days, Try to avoid having too many tasks per day, as the ‘already’ drowning feeling before the day begins is not positive and brings unnecessary stress. 
3. Some days will not go to plan and this can bring upset and irritation, so try to be philosophical and re-allocate tasks to stay with an upbeat mindset. Not everyday is going to run smoothly and this is just a regular part of life.
4. Observe work hours and work hard and effectively, but, unless it is unavoidable or it is in the day’s plan, be protective of your time and leave in order to carry on with the other activities that need to be covered. Most adults wear several hats and these need to be respected and observed.
5. It may be hard but necessary to turn down a request for a task to be completed at work, unless a longer time frame is given or there is the removal of another duty, so that the workload can be managed in a fair and healthy way.
6. Have or develop some routines so that there is a smoothness to your day and not a sudden roadblock. For example, when are the groceries bought or is this an online activity? When is it laundry day, or household cleaning time, so these basic chores are built into the schedule and part of the normal functional order of things. Can there be a sharing of tasks with a friend or a family member, so one party does the delivery of children and the other the collection if they are younger etc. Is there a rota to make the evening meal, so time is bought back, but also to instil lifelong skills and create some fun and creativity into the task.
7. Multitasking can also help be efficient, so listening to podcasts whilst on the exercise bike, or jogging whilst taking the dog for a ‘walk’ and other versions of this.
8. Avoid procrastination or distractions as these do not give time but reduce it and increase stress levels, so try to take these challenges face on and enjoy the completed result!
9. Try not to waste time but use time well. If there is a delay at the dentist or on the train, it is possible to check emails, Facebook friends, read a book or to use the time to reflect over the day and to refocus so to feel re energized and ready to embrace the remainder of the day.
10. Aim to be as organised as possible using the systems such as files for your information on your computer or labels for piles of papers on your desk or have tidy cupboards at home, so time is not lost searching or dealing with wardrobe explosions!

There are only 24 hours in the day and sleep is always needed even if some of us need less than others. We can only try to use our time as best as we see fit with the goal to enjoy life and to manage those things we need to do. It was interesting to note that in intense Covid 19 lock down  much more time was freed up; however, this is not a reality we want, so we need to continue working on a positive balance.