![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bemorewithless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/save-an-hour.jpg\")
<\/p>\r\n<\/p>\r\n
Note: This article on 10 ways to gain an extra hour a day is written by contributing writer, Tammy Strobel.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When I was stuck in the work-spend cycle, I never felt like I never had enough time. I rushed from meeting to meeting, and zoomed to and from work in my car. Also, I worked a lot of hours to pay for stuff that I didn\u2019t need. My husband and I decided to simplify our lives<\/a> to enjoy benefits like saving money, building strong relationships, and to gain time in our daily lives.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Below you\u2019ll find ideas that have helped me gain time in my daily life. Each tip continues to help me focus, slow down<\/a>, and enjoy my daily routine. I hope the ideas help you, too!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, I\u2019ve had a fraught relationship with the news. I found myself slipping into the bad habit of doom scrolling. The behavior made me anxious and sad. I knew that I had to get off my phone and back into my life<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Something that helped: setting limits on when and where I read the news. For example, I don\u2019t read the news on my phone anymore. Instead, I read the news on my desktop because I\u2019m less likely to scroll through articles. Also, I give myself 15-20 minutes to read the news. Then I move on with my day.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In the past, I didn\u2019t enjoy preparing my meals<\/a>. However, my relationship with cooking has changed. It\u2019s turned into a relaxing and creative activity that makes my week much easier.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For example, my husband and I write a list of meals we want to eat during the week and post it on the refrigerator. On Saturday or Sunday, we prepare food \u2013 like rice, bread, baked goods, and more \u2013 to make assembling our meals easy during the workweek.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Knowing what I\u2019m going to eat during the week is a relief because it reduces decision fatigue, saves time, and it\u2019s helped us save money<\/a> on groceries.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Author Cal Newport says<\/a>, \u201cI take time blocking seriously, dedicating ten to twenty minutes every evening to building my schedule for the next day. During this planning process I consult my task lists and calendars, as well as my weekly and quarterly planning notes. My goal is to make sure progress is being made on the right things at the right pace for the relevant deadlines.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Initially, I thought time blocking would be too rigid for my daily life. I was wrong, though! Time blocking for work and creative projects reduces my stress. It\u2019s also helped me stay focused and inspired.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Instead of going to the gym, my husband rides his bicycle to work. He said, \u201ccombining my workout with my commute is a great way to build time into my schedule and save money.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Interestingly, research suggests<\/a> that \u201cslow commute modes (walking and biking) result in more satisfaction than car and public transit.\u201d For example, when I commuted to work by bike, I found it fun and relaxing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Over 15 years ago, I read the first edition of Your Money or Your Life<\/em><\/a> by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. The book changed my relationship with money, stuff, and so much<\/a> more<\/a>. The authors helped me realize that I bought stuff \u2013 like new clothes \u2013 when I was depressed, bored, or needed a reward.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Noticing this trend motivated me to change my habits<\/a> and stop shopping for fun. As a result, I\u2019ve saved money, improved my mental health, and have extra time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Consider talking to your supervisor about restructuring your work schedule. For example, at my last traditional office job I asked my boss if I could shift to a four-day workweek. When she said yes to my request, I was happily surprised. The new schedule gave me time to unwind on the weekends, and I felt more productive and happier at work.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A few weeks ago, I overbooked my schedule. As a result, I spent way too much time on Zoom! Usually, I\u2019m good about setting boundaries<\/a> at work. I\u2019m not perfect, though. The experience reminded me that it\u2019s okay to say no, and to request alternative meeting times. In the future, I will be doing both so that my days feel more spacious.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When I started to single-task<\/a>, it was hard! I had to remind myself to focus. Over time, single-tasking has gotten easier and it\u2019s motivating. Single-tasking enables me to finish work tasks a little quicker. In turn, that gives me extra time during the work week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If it takes me less than 2-minutes to complete a task, I do it immediately. This rule helps me avoid procrastination<\/a>; especially for small chores like washing my coffee cup or making my bed in the morning. Plus, the rule prevents tiny tasks from accumulating into a long to-do list. As a bonus, the 2-minute rule decreases mental clutter, brings me joy, and saves time.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A few months ago, I declined an invitation to hangout with friends in the evening. I was worried they would be upset with me for saying no. I shouldn\u2019t have worried so much!\u00a0A recent study<\/a> examined the downsides of saying no to social events<\/a>. Over 2000 people participated in the study and the findings were clear \u2013 people, like me, tend to overestimate the negative ramifications of saying no. In short, science says it\u2019s okay to decline social invitations.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n By implementing a few of the tips above, you can add an extra hour to your day. Identify one or two concepts from this article that resonate with you. Integrate them into your daily routine and keep track of your experiences.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For instance, if you decide to decline social invitations, document your thoughts in a journal. Record the reasons behind your decision and estimate the time you saved. After a few months, revisit your journal entries. This approach is a great way to recognize patterns and trends in your daily life.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you\u2019re looking for ways to rethink your relationship with time, explore the list below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n10 Simple Ways To Gain An Extra Hour A Day<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1.) Set limits on the news\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
2.) Prepare meals for the work week<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3.) Try time blocking\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
4.) Combine your workout with your commute\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
5.) Avoid recreational shopping\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
6.) Restructure your work schedule\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
7.) Minimize meetings\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
8.) Focus on single-tasking\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
9.)\u00a0 Try the 2-minute rule<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
10.) Say no to social invitations\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Remember \u2026<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Resources to help you gain an extra hour a day\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Books\u00a0<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
Articles\u00a0<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n