How to Take Charge of Your Time and Your Life

From early mornings to late nights, traffic jams to deadlines, there are seemingly endless ways to be robbed of our precious time and energy. The good news is that there are simple things that you can apply right now to your life that are guaranteed to give these things back to you.

Here are just some of those ideas that have been proven to make your life simpler while freeing up your time and energy to enjoy the things that are really important to you.

Prioritize Your Life.

Decide which parts of your life are really important and which parts don’t need as much attention. Then plan your day accordingly. If by then end of the day you’ve at least spent your time doing what matters most you will feel good about yourself.

Simplify Your Meals.

Cooking dinner every night may be stressful after working all day. Try ways to make this less stressful, such as using a crock-pot, preparing in advance or finding someone in your neighborhood that delivers pre-cooked meals on a weekly basis.

Ask For Help.

There’s no need for you to do all the work around the house. Ask your partner or family to help you out especially if you’re tired or unmotivated. Most of all know that it is okay to ask for help.

Be More Active.

Regular exercise is essential for your physical and emotional well-being. It helps to get rid of toxins from your body and increases your oxygen intake – a winning habit that’ll massively boost your energy levels.

Communicate Your Needs and Expectations.

So much time and energy can be wasted on poor communication. Be prepared to talk to friends or family about ways to make life less stressful. Together you can pinpoint what causes stress and come up with ways to reduce or even eliminate this stress.

Slow Down and Take Time-Out.

Sometimes it’s all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a hectic and busy lifestyle. Take at least 20 minutes time-out for you each day to relax and unwind. Whether it be a walk along the beach, playing with your dog or reading a good book, it doesn’t matter as long as you take a breather.

Manage Your Mood Swings.

This is a great way to keep your energy high and stress levels down. You may have to read a few books or attend a workshop or two before you master this skill but the payoff will be enormous. Imagine a life where you are in complete control of your emotions. Now there’s a thought!

Eat Sensibly.

A balanced diet provides all the necessary energy needed during the day. Overeating, starving yourself or any kind of addictive behavior cause your body to have to work harder just to maintain good health. Be kind to your body, after all it’s the only one you’ve got!

Get Up 15 Minutes earlier.

There’s nothing worse in the morning than getting out of bed late and then madly rushing to get to work on time. Try setting 2 or 3 alarms that get you up 15 minutes earlier so that you can ease into the day and arrive at your first destination calm and relaxed.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep.

Many people don’t get enough sleep. Inadequate sleep can be a major time and energy pirate. Some of the remedies for sleepless nights include:

• Keep a regular sleep-wake cycle. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the four to six hours before bedtime.

• Don't exercise within two hours of bedtime. Exercising five or six hours before bedtime may help you sleep more soundly.

• Don't eat large meals within two hours of bedtime.

• Don't nap later than 3 p.m.

• Sleep in a dark, quiet room with a comfortable temperature.

• If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, do a quiet activity somewhere else and return to bed when you're sleepy.

• Wind down in the 30 minutes before bedtime with a relaxing pre-sleep ritual such as a warm bath, soft music, or reading.

Reduce Your Commitments and Responsibilities.

Stress arises from an overbooked schedule or a greater number of responsibilities than one person can reasonably handle. Finding things to eliminate (and to decline, in the future) in a too-busy schedule provides you with more time for yourself and more energy to deal with your remaining commitments.

Learn to Say NO to Others’ Requests.

It is the most difficult, time-management task. Although it seems like a simple step, a large number of people admit that they often agree to requests because they have difficulty refusing them.

Practice the following responses if you need help saying “no”:

‘I’m not taking on any more work right now.’
‘Sorry, I’m unable to fit that in right now.’
‘I’ve got so much on that I’m unable to help.’
‘Right now doesn’t suit me, but I am available next Monday.’
‘I really don’t feel that I’m the right person for that project’

As with all changes and improvements, learning to free yourself from those things that don’t serve your happiness and joy is a skill you can improve with time.

Just by applying any 1 of these strategies and applying them to your circumstances right now you will already move a step closer towards living a happier, healthier and more productive life.