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It’s About Time Ruth Wong |
Use math to manage time
What can you do when you want to add something new to your already full schedule?That was my query when I was asked to write this column twice a month instead of once. I reasoned, "Since you want to add something new to your already full schedule, you need to subtract, add or divide the existing activities."
I'd like to share my "Time Management Mathematics" (not to be confused with "Voodoo Economics"), which I used to solve my problem.
One way to add a new activity is to subtract an existing one from your day. The obvious things to subtract are time-wasters: mindless TV, looking for things or living with clutter and excess that take up precious time and energy.
I hate to admit it, but I was one of the millions of "Joe Millionaire" viewers. I did dovetail watching with tasks such as ironing or paying bills -- most of the time. But to my dismay, it wasn't long after the show ended that Joe and Zora called it quits. I said to my husband, "What a waste of time -- they aren't even still together!" His reply: "I couldn't believe you were watching that."
Certain TV shows are definitely something I can subtract from my schedule!
I decided I could multiply my effectiveness by streamlining tasks or dovetailing activities. A dovetail is used in carpentry to join two pieces together. I prefer dovetailing to multitasking, which connotes doing many things at once. A steady diet of multitasking is exhausting, unsatisfying and, according to one recent study, can even make you stupid!
Something I'm already dovetailing is jogging while memorizing verses from the Psalms. It's a win-win situation as my brain is busy memorizing and cannot hear my legs pleading, "Stop, stop, we're tired!"
I also dovetail emptying the dishwasher as my oatmeal microwaves and listening to teaching tapes as I commute.
Another way to multiply is by streamlining. For example, empty the dishwasher by loading similar utensils and items together. Or watch just the beginning and ending of TV decorating makeover shows.
One way to divide existing work is by delegating. This is critical at work but applies at home, too.
Children are ideal delegatees. It's called "training," which is one of a parent's major responsibilities. When my children were young they changed their own sheets and towels weekly. When they were teens, I turned the task of doing their own laundry and ironing over to them. That freed up a lot of my time, and those skills served them well when they went off to college.
Another way to divide is to hire out. Years ago I would rent carpet-cleaning equipment, but soon found that it pays to hire a professional carpet cleaner. They do a better job and free up more valuable time for me.
After applying Time Management Mathematics to my situation, I figure I can comfortably and happily write a second column each month.
Your assignment this month is to use Time Management Mathematics to add something important to your life -- reading, thinking, exercise or just relaxing all qualify.
It's about time to make room in your life for something new and relevant.
Happy calculating! See you in two weeks!
"It's About Time," by Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail features@starbulletin.com