Home
>
Time Management
>
Tips to Save One Hour Per Day

Tips to Save One Hour Per Day

At Home

? Keep related items together, for example the coffee filters and coffee "live" above or near the coffee maker. (saves 2-5 minutes a day)
? Create a communication center on the fridge for messages, chores etc. (saves 5 minutes a day)
? Keep the grocery list posted where all family members can add items as they run out. (Saves 10 ? 30 minutes a week, depending if you forget something and have to go back to the store!)
? Create a checklist for groceries arranged in the order of your grocery store aisles. (saves 5-10 minutes shopping)
? Create recipe categories that make sense to you. (saves 5 minutes a day)
? Identify a place to put car keys, gloves, umbrellas etc., for easy access when you leave the house (saves 5 minutes a day or a lot more if you really can't find your car keys!)
? Use an answering machine or service to control calls. Return calls at your convenience. (saves 10-20 minutes a day)
? When opening your incoming e-mail, apply The FAT System? (File-Act-Toss). If you aren't sure you need it, toss it! (saves 5-10 minutes a day)
? Create an address book for quick reference. Outlook Express, ACT!, and Quicken all come with address books, or you can do it the "old fashioned" way and input info by hand in an actual book. Keep it updated. (saves 5 minutes a day)
? Put daily grooming/make-up needs in a single container easily accessible. (saves 3 minutes a day.)
? Make a habit of looking when you go from one place to another, and see what needs to go with you. (saves 3 minutes a day.)

Family

? Teach your children to use an alarm clock or clock radio. (saves 5 minutes a day)
? Choose clothing and accessories the night before (saves 5 minutes a day)
? Pack lunches the night before (saves 5 minutes in busiest time of the day)
? Designate a place where family members can check to see if they have messages. (saves 5 minutes a day per person)
? Start a child's file system with a simple container, basket, file or shelf. It may contain information about their medical records, medicines, education, extra curricular activities, memorabilia, etc. (saves 10-15 minutes a week)
? Designate a "special place" for your child to put the papers they bring home from school. (saves 5-15 minutes a week)
? Run errands at non-rush hour times if possible. Keep stops sequential to avoid driving in circles (saves 15-45 minutes a day)

Work

? Avoid an overflowing e-mail In Box, by creating folders. Create a folder for each committee, project, person etc. (saves 5-10 minutes a day)
? Attach the old message when replying to an e-mail to help the recipient remember its original content. (saves 5-10 minutes a day)
? For lengthy or complicated e-mail, create your message in a word processing program and attach it to your e-mail. This allows you easy access for editing and retrieval. (saves 10 minutes a day)
? If you need a copy of an e-mail, print it and then delete it! Remember to file your e-mail hard copy in your paper management system, such as The Paper Tiger?, so you can find it again in 5 seconds or less! (saves 5 minutes a day)
? Keep your filing system simple. Don't create too many categories, it's better to put information into the largest general category first. (saves 10 minutes a day)
? Organize computer documents. Put into one folder. Your computer already has it for you - "My Documents". Then create subfolders for each program that you use, such as Word, Excel, Power Point, etc. Then save it. (i.e., My Documents/ Word/Mary Stowe letter/Marketing for book. (saves 10 minutes a day)
? Practice the Art of Wastebasketry?. Take a minute to clean out whenever you can. (saves 5-10 minutes a day)
? Let calls go into voice mail. Don't allow the phone to interrupt your work unless it's truly necessary. Return calls when you have a set time to talk. Checking messages can also give you time to prepare for what the caller wanted and avoid having to return calls back and forth. (saves 15 minutes a day)

? Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.productiveenvironment.com

quick home cleaning Arlington Heights ..

In The News:

In response to infostealer activity increasing 500% in a year and harvesting 1.7 billion user credentials, the CyberGuy offers four ways to stay safe from infostealer malware.

Looking Glass has developed a 27-inch light-field display that allows you to see digital objects in three dimensions without headsets or glasses.

A CCTV video purportedly originating from a Chinese factory shows a robot appearing to lash out at two men in an unexplained incident.

After years of delays, travelers must now show a REAL ID, a valid passport or another federally approved ID to travel. May 7, 2025, is the deadline.

Driverless tractor-trailers are already traveling on Texas roads, raising questions about safety, reliability and the future of trucking.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals that a new AirPlay bug lets hackers take over Apple devices via Wi-Fi with no clicks needed.

This Mother's Day, gift Mom tech gadgets that simplify life, connect and show love. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers some ideas.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reports that Tesla owners are facing threats as hackers weaponize leaked data. Are you next?

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how a paper pill bottle could revolutionize pharmacy packaging and cut plastic waste drastically.

The private information of about 4 million people was exposed after a major data breach involving VeriSource Services, a Texas-based HR firm.

Archer Aviation and United Airlines have teamed up to offer a more environmentally friendly way to skip New York City's traffic jams and reach your destination more quickly.

Healthcare company data breaches have leaked personal data of millions of people in recent years, and the CyberGuy offers ways to keep your information safe.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents

Police around the world are adding robots powered by artificial intelligence to their departments, and Thailand has emerged as one of the key players.

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains five cleanup hacks — a few smart automations and tools — to declutter your technology and keep things running smoothly.

Kurt the CyberGuy breaks down whether it’s better to remove your personal information from the web yourself or use a data removal service.

Google’s scam detection features, powered by artificial intelligence, are a significant step forward in safeguarding Android users from fraud.

The FBI has issued a warning that scammers are impersonating doctors, police and banks using spoofed numbers as "smishing" texts surge nationwide.

Communities with unreliable internet service stand to gain after Amazon's Project Kuiper launched its first full batch of satellites into orbit April 28.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says unsubscribing from spam might actually backfire. Learn when to avoid it and stop junk effectively.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how the first nonstop beating heart transplant, called zero ischemic time, at Taiwan hospital changes surgery.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson: FBI warns of "time-traveling" hackers.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about a soft, vine-like robot called SPROUT that aids safe survivor rescues in collapsed buildings.

Health insurance giant Blue Shield of California confirmed it had been sharing private health data of 4.7 million users with Google for three years without even realizing it.

Delta and JetZero’s blended wing body aircraft marks a meaningful step toward a cleaner, quieter and more efficient future for air travel.

Tips to Save One Hour Per Day

Time Management