Only 24 Hours in a Day: 6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Time

Time flies. At least that’s what they say. Some days it really does seem like the minute you wake up, it’s already time to get off work. And sometimes, all of the things that you planned to do doesn’t even get close to getting done. As a result, you end up feeling stressed and worse, overwhelmed.

You only get 24 hours a day. That’s just the reality. But there are some things you can do to maximize on each hour so that you can get as much as possible completed. So that you can rest your head down on your pillow each night knowing that you made the most of the day.

1. Have no more than three priorities a day

Someone once said that if you have more than three priorities, you don’t really have any at all. It’s a wise thing to keep in mind because priorities are what help you to stay focused. Say that there’s an important business meeting that you need to get prepared for tomorrow. That should be one of your top priorities. It doesn’t matter if someone suddenly asks you to work on a project with them. It will have to wait. Keeping your energy on your priorities will help you to get things done. The more tasks that are completed, the better you’ll feel.

2. Do the hardest things first

All of us have things that we’d rather put off because either they are super challenging or we simply don’t like doing them. But if you wait until the end of the day, that puts you in the position of not having enough energy or talking yourself into doing it tomorrow. By then, there will be other things that also need to be done too which can lead to anxiety and frustration. That said, it’s a good practice to do the hardest things first when you’re refreshed. Chances are, you’ll be able to get them done sooner than you thought which will free up time to do several easier things afterwards.

3. Don't read emails all day long

Guess where almost one-third of your time goes? Reportedly checking your emails. Can you believe it? There was a study conducted that indicates most Americans spend as much as almost 6 ½ hours ready emails every day. That’s definitely a waste of time! Yes, you’re going to need to read emails, especially work-related ones. But try and get into the habit of checking them in the morning, at lunch and once in the evening. Otherwise, you’ll lose a lot of time that could’ve been devoted to getting other things done. 

4. Don't run errands during peak traffic times

Here’s a simple tip that you might not have thought about before. Heading out or heading home during peak traffic hours can easily cause you to lose 1-3 hours of your day. If it can be at all avoided, try and wait until there are less cars on the road. Or, take side streets and do a couple of errands as you’re going to or coming from work. You’ll be thrilled by how much this simple tip can change your life.

5. Check social media after work

Your Instagram, Twitter and Facebook aren’t going anywhere, so turn off your notifications. Remember, if you make the time to check every status update and DM (Direct Message), you’ll never get anything done! Social media is a great way to network and stay in touch, but it shouldn’t consume every waking moment. Try and check your accounts once you’re home and relaxed for the evening.

6. Make a to-do list for tomorrow

A to-do list is a plan and all of us need one for each day. Otherwise, phone calls and unexpected events can come in and cause us to lose minutes, if not hours, that we did not expect to give up. So, before turning in every night, pull out a piece of paper or your smartphone and write down all that you want to accomplish and how long you think it will take to accomplish each task. You might even want to set a timer for certain ones so that you’ll not get distracted. Getting into the habit of doing this can help you to maximize your time, make the most of each day and even leave a couple of hours for you to read, take a bath or simply rest. A reward that’s well deserved!