Day 12: Conduct a Time
Audit
Theory: People always say "I don't have enough time"
when it comes to meeting goals and getting things done. But, much of their time
is wasted or not being spent as efficiently as possible.
Exercise: Conduct a 24-hour time audit - really think critically
about how you are spending time.
My Time Audit
This was very easy for me because I waste a lot of time either
mindlessly surfing the Internet or watching TV and I'm lazy in the morning.
Last year this time, I wouldn't have been able to make that statement because I
was always on the go. Between working full-time, busing the kid around &
teaching Zumba 2-3 days per week (which included running the business), I never
had time!!
But now, its really sad... I am in a rut and I dread getting up in
the morning and by the end of the day I am too mentally pooped to do much of
anything.
Note: This audit is of a typical weekday- I cook all of my
family's meals on Sunday so I don't have to cook during the week. I didn't want
you to think I don't feed my child!! :-)
My
24-Hour Time Audit
6:00am-7:00am: Sleeping
7:00am-8:00am: Sleeping
8:00am-9:00am: Rushing to get ready for work, driving to work
9:00am-5:00pm: Working
5:00pm-6:00pm: Driving home, running errands
6:00pm-11:00pm: Watching TV, on the computer
11:00pm-6:00am: Sleeping
Day 13:
Redesign Your Day
The exercise consists of outlining a strategy to redesign your
day to make more time for the things truly matter to you. You can present your
redesign plan in a simple paragraph or a bullet point format.
My
Redesign
- Wake
up earlier to allow for "ME" before my household wakes up
- Exercise
5 days per week in the morning
- Make
time everyday to spend with God
- Cut
out the activities that kill time i.e. surfing the net, watching TV
- Replace
my evening time with more productive things i.e. creative time, household
needs
This is a really good post!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a time audit. I agree that TV and Internet are big time wasters. I got rid of cable last month. Even though I still have Internet service, I am less interested in spending hours and hours online like I used to do. Now, I make more time to do other things like read my Bible, read novels, write, exercise, etc. One thing that sometimes works for me: having a cut off time. For example, no Internet or after 7pm, or no Internet or TV on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That way, you're not totally eliminating it; you're just regulating it. I compare it to dieting; for me, it's unrealistic to say, "I'll never eat potato chips again..." But, I can say that I won't eat them everyday.
Also, as for making time to spend with God, I can relate to the challenge of making this a priority. I found that evenings are better for me than mornings. In the mornings, I move very slowly, and am very preoccupied with getting out the door. This makes any attempt at reading and praying rushed and unfulfulling. So, I do it before bedtime.
It's just about finding what works for you.
Great post!
Thanks Malika! I think you make a very good point - everything is fine in moderation. I've gotten in such a rut and I realized that I am wasting my days away. I also like the suggestion of having a cut off! I think I will incorporate that in my redesign. Since starting this Life Reset program, I find that I've tried to wake up extra early and have time in the morning to read my bible, pray and work out. It's overwhelming! So, maybe I can workout in the morning and spend my last few minutes before bed with God. Great tips, thanks for sharing!
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