Whether your commitments are parenting, going to school, working one or more jobs with excessive time requirements, or other endeavors, you have to learn to make choices that protect your health and sanity. You also need to make time in your schedule for your family and your down time. Don’t compromise your quality of life because you are afraid to admit you have taken on too much.
Because time is a precious commodity, consider using these five tips for reducing your time commitments
1. Place your current time commitments in rank order. Be sure to note the number of hours these activities currently require. One strategy is to shave off hours from one or more commitments so that you build some extra time back into your schedule.
2. Speak with your boss about your current assignments. It may be that you have committed to too many projects at work. Your boss may agree to adjust your workload so that you don’t have to work so many extra hour
3. Adjust your sleep schedule. Sometimes simple adjustments like going to bed earlier so you can get up earlier the next day will give you the time slots you need to be more productive at work and home. Instead of driving yourself crazy with multi-tasking and to-do lists, analyze your peak energy levels during the day. Maximize your day by giving yourself a generous time slot for work; your time slot should be targeted to the time of day when you think and feel best.
4. Seek assistance instead of abandoning time commitments that make your entire schedule impossible. For example, if you are attending college and have family commitments, find someone in the family who can pick up the slack at home so that you have time for attending class and doing homework.
5. Give yourself a break; prepare to explain what you can reasonably continue to do for others. Once you’ve tried to explain your situation to people who depend on you, you have to make difficult decisions. You can either cut back on time commitments or eliminate them. If the people in your network care about your wellbeing they will understand that you need to reduce your workload so that you have enough time to relax, rejuvenate, and tend to your personal needs (i.e. schoolwork or spending time with family).
Reorganizing your time commitments can be tough, but time is something you cannot regain in this lifetime. Look for ways to find balance when you try to divide yourself among your many time obligations.