Where did my time go? Everywhere there are headlines suggesting ways to maximize time. These tips to use time more effectively can seem like fairy tales. How do your eliminate tasks when everything on your “to do list” is a priority. Somehow, time escapes us, and we are left with the ongoing dilemma of managing our weight, eating less processed food, exercising, reducing stress, and completing our life goals. Another month has passed without the desired call to action. The following activities are three unspoken time wasters that routinely prevent you from achieving your goals.
First,Use of Technology
Own It! Electronic devices are widely used time wasters. How long can you stay disconnected from your cellphone and other forms of technology? It is common to hear people complain of feeling anxious, worried, preoccupied and agitated when they are unplugged from their cell phones. The researchers describe “The Phantom Vibration Syndrome” as those who perceive that their device is vibrating, indicating an incoming call or text when there is none. Be honest with yourself! Are you connected to your tech devices?
It can be a humbling experience to receive a random pop-up detailing the exact time you’ve spent on your cell phone. How would you feel discovering that you spend 300 minutes on your cell phone daily? Meanwhile, you own an out of control “to do list” with priority tasks. Adding to this insult is the analysis data from your device, showing that usage is down or up from the prior week. The cell phone can’t fix your problem. Software developers create apps with intense colors and icons that move around to engage your brain. This interaction with the “app” requires your precious mental energy and is one of the known time wasters.
Second,Sleeplessness
Sleep is often assumed to be optional. Adults readily adopt a fluctuating bed time. There are always too many tasks to complete. The actual “to do list” of evening tasks can be overwhelming! Where do you find extra time to complete household chores, organizing and finishing incomplete tasks after a long day? Reducing sleep time appears as an excellent solution to obtain more free time.
Sleep-deprivation reduces focus and attention. Fewer hours of sleep requires more mental effort to complete tasks. Studies show that sleep-deprived employees are less efficient with tasks due to mistakes, and they need more time to complete tasks. Over time the consequences of reduced concentration and poor memory from lack of sleep become significant time wasters.
Third,Stress
The do-it-yourself (DIY) movement is the current rage. Everywhere there are products and services to help nurture both your mind and body. Unfortunately, when life gets busy, time for self-care is usually the first to be eliminated. Why is self-care so tricky? The feeling of “wellness” is intangible. Adopting the recommendation of stress management is also often viewed as optional.
Our brain alerts us with physical signs when we are overly stressed. Every organ in the body has specific signals which communicate that there is a problem with that organ. For example, we recognize that chest pain relates to the heart, and that shortness of breath refers to the lungs. The stress signals from the brain include mood swings, memory difficulties, being easily distracted and feeling fatigued.
We are generally not taught to be aware of our brain’s signals, and many people miss these signs. Struggling with stress can lead to feeling overwhelmed, fatigued and on edge. Being preoccupied with these unwanted feelings creates windows of inactivity. When we are stressed, it’s hard to focus, which allows time wasters to own you. Many miss the opportunity to achieve their life goals by not managing stress.
Time Wasters Action Plan
Owning a problem can be difficult. It is often embarrassing to admit to being under the spell of time wasters. Modifiable behaviors, such as time management, sleep patterns, and managing stress seem simple and are easily dismissed. Start with an understanding of your relationship with time. Where does your time go?
Find out with the use of time logs. This tool allows you to discover, in electronic or paper format, your use of time. It’s a primary tool that permits you to track estimated time used to complete a task, versus the exact time spent. My favorite time assignment is to jot down estimated time required to complete a daily work, or even time spent sleeping. This simple exercise is often an eye-opener when compared to actual time.
Are you having difficulty finding your time waster? Take the first step, find a time log program.