We are all super busy and in America, in NY in particular, it is a cultural norm, almost something to strive for. The thing is, where is all this busy-ness getting us?
I believe that freeing up time to just be is important and I also believe that busy-ness can be a barrier to doing the things that are most important. Here are some of the things that you can do if you freed up time in your schedule.
- Things that will bring you joy and fulfillment – spend more time with people you love, plan a trip, start a business, write a book, learn a new language, live in Tuscany for the summer
- Adventures on your bucket list – go skydiving, sail around the world, climb Mount Kilimanjaro
- Items on your to do list you’ve been avoiding – deal with back taxes, declutter, get your financial house in order, address a health issue you’ve been neglecting
So how exactly do you free up time to do the things that in Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People fall in the sweet spot of the urgent/important matrix – the upper right quadrant.
One answer is to free up time in your week so that you can begin to live in ways that are consistent with your goals. Here are 3 ways to free up between 10 or more hours in your week!
Shop Online – Rather than shopping and schlepping (3-4 hours/week) you can simply sit at your computer for 10-30 minutes and place your orders for anything from Palmolive to Pampers, wild Alaskan salmon to salmon and duck treats for your dog. The best part is you order will be saved. You can make adjustments the next time and proceed right to check out. In some instances you can automate your order so you receive it automatically when you want. You’ll never run out of toothpaste or toilet paper again!
Here are some of my favorites sites:
- Fresh Direct for groceries (click the link to see if they deliver in your area – if not, you can do a Google search for a similar service in your area.
- Wag.com for pet supplies
- Diapers.com (the mom’s in my practice swear by this)
- Soap.com for household supplies
Delegate and Outsource – Hire a housekeeper, drop off your laundry and outsource day to day tasks and you will save a whopping 6-8 hours a week if not more.
- Hire a housekeeper – unless you find washing dishes zen or scrubbing the bathtub therapeutic bringing in a housekeeper will easily save you 3-5 hours per week.
- Drop off you laundry – Take advantage of this convenient service and free up a sizable 2-3 hours week! Ask your local laundromat if they offer pick up and delivery services to make it even more efficient.
- Outsource your errands – This can save you 2-3 hours per week. These are the two services I particularly like.
- PA for a Day You can hire a “Personal Assistant for a Day” to help you with just about anything – pick up your dry cleaning, do your filing, make dinner reservations, drop things off, shop for you, return items to the store or assist you with a dinner party.
- Taskrabbit You can hire a “Tasker” to clean your house, run your errands, build out IKEA furniture or hang your shelves. Housekeepers and handymen (and women:) are vetted and you will be able to do a search for someone a the exact price point that you are looking for.
Eliminate Energy Drains and Time Sucks – These activities are neither urgent nor important – they are mindless diversions and can suck up a whopping 7-21 hours per week without realizing it! 1-3 hours a day on Facebook, surfing the web, streaming video or watching TV can really add up.
If you feel like you don’t have time to pursue your dreams, experience adventures on your bucket list or take care of the items on your to do list that you’ve been avoiding, the three tips above are a sure-fire way to free up at least 10 hours in your week!
What will you do with all that extra time? Do you have a goal you’d like to pursue but need support and accountability to achieve it? The Platinum Goals Group is coming up. Click the image below to get all the details!
