How I Save a few Hours a Week

When you're as busy as me, it can make a huge difference to have a few extra hours available in the week. With going to school, working full-time, and being a mother, it is very important that I spend my time wisely. Extra time in the week can mean working ahead on homework, keeping the house clean, having time for myself, or doing something as a family without worrying about what needs to be done. Below are some ways that I save a few hours each week.

Group similar tasks together

Grouping similar tasks together can save quite a bit of time if you do it right. By this I mean that it is probably not best to work on homework or cleaning for five hours straight, because that would lead to burnout and you would eventually start slowing down. Rather, group smaller tasks together. For example, if I make my son, "A," some breakfast, I will also unload the dishwasher, reload it, and clean up the kitchen. If I am giving A a bath, I will also do my hygiene. If I am getting on the computer to do homework, I will also pay all the bills. By grouping together small tasks that are similar or in the same area, I can cut out time that would be spent preparing to do the task. It may be small amounts of time, but it adds up.

Set a strict start time

By getting started at the same time everyday, I am able to have a consistent schedule that leaves less room for excuses to procrastinate. For me, I start working on tasks from the time that I wake up. I try to get up no later than 7am. When I set my alarm each night to go off at 7am, I know that I am sure to go to bed at a reasonable time because I do not want to be tired all day. If my alarm goes off and A isn't awake yet, I get started on my homework and try to get as much done as I can before he wakes up. Without a strict start time, I might be tempted to sleep in a little longer which would use some of that time that I could be doing something more preferable. If I end up waking up earlier, then I get started on my tasks whenever it is that I wake up. The 7am alarm means that my day starts at that time and no later. Earlier is an option if I want a head start, but no later than 7am. This can save a lot of time, depending on how early A wakes up.

Do the same tasks in the same order

Having a predictable schedule cuts out time that would be spent figuring out what to do next and unnecessary periods of time that would be spent "taking a break" after completing something. It creates a flow where something gets done and the next thing starts. For me this means I start my day by doing homework, then spending time outside, then more homework, then vacuuming and doing a workout, then more homework, and then play with Atlas. This is the same order I do things everyday. I know the way the day is going to go, and A knows the way the day is going to go. I think the predictability of the schedule helps him because he knows that if I am doing homework, then I will eventually get done with the assignment and we will do something together.

How do you save a few hours a week?

• Group similar tasks together
• Set a strict start time
• Do the same tasks in the same order
• Other

You can vote for more than one answer.