Time Management

Who Has Time For Laundry?

Who Has Time For Laundry?

I haven’t done my own laundry since 2014. Not because I can’t do my own laundry though.

If you experiment with my time value calculator you can see a starting estimate of what your personal time is worth. For me, when thinking about opportunities like this around the house, I value my time at $35 per hour…

I started trying other wash-and-fold services. My perception was that the cost of sending the laundry through a separate service was going to be too high. This isn’t necessarily true though.

Dictating Is 3x Faster Than Typing. Start Talking!

Dictating Is 3x Faster Than Typing. Start Talking!

I’ve been pushing myself to try a new habit. Anytime I need to type one sentence or more, I talk to my computer or device instead of typing. It is so hard to break this habit after so many years of typing!

“You mean you’re talking to your devices? All the time?”

Yep! I talk to my phone, even out in public. I talk to my computer at home. I talk to my computer at work. I do it as much as possible. So. Freaking. Cool! It must be hilarious to be around me while I am working. I’m just taaaaaalking away with no one around.

“Alright, but HOW MUCH faster is it? Why isn’t everyone doing it?”

Tweak Your Morning Routine To Turn Off Your Brain, Remember Everything, and Start Your Day Right!

Tweak Your Morning Routine To Turn Off Your Brain, Remember Everything, and Start Your Day Right!

Do you forget things in the morning sometimes? Forget to shave? Forget mascara or another piece of your makeup routine? Leave that important paper you needed? Forget your computer? Forget to take your pills? Ever stood at the front door racking your brain before you leave thinking, “What am I forgetting?”
After all of that, do you find you’re starting your day already feeling a little mentally drained?

I decided to implement in my morning routines some of the visual management tactics I use at work in LEAN Six Sigma, and combine them with the concept of a checklist, inspired by a book that was a productivity game changer for me, Checklist Manifesto.

So what changed?

I used to do this frequently. I used to be mentally tired even as I started my day. I thought it was lack of sleep, but it turns out, a simple adjustment changed all that.

Going Paperless for Free

Going Paperless for Free

Going paperless, might sound daunting, but it’s not as bad as you might think. It’s easily within your grasp, and you can even do it for free. I’ve been paperless for years, and have found some tactics that really work. I’ve had friends try this approach successfully too, so I wanted to share it with you in case you’re interested.

What’s the benefit to going paperless?

Here’s a few…

Okay, how can you go paperless for free?

Password Saving Apps - More Security, While Saving Your Time and Mental Bandwidth

Password Saving Apps - More Security, While Saving Your Time and Mental Bandwidth

So many usernames and passwords to remember! Research by Digital Guardian found the average person in the US has more than 130 account with logins. For you and I, it might be significantly more than that. I just checked, and for me I have over 500. If you’re not already doing so, use a password manager app to save your mental bandwidth - it manages all of your account passwords and other confidential information. Also, you’ll be saving time with every login because the app can automatically fill in your username and password, no matter which device you’re on.

What Will You Have Accomplished During This Corona Virus Break?

What Will You Have Accomplished During This Corona Virus Break?

This pandemic has caused the closure of businesses and events, resulting in people being forced to stop working or do it from home. Are you one of those affected? With all this time on your hands, what are you doing with it?

Looking back on this Corona Virus break, will you be proud of what you accomplished?

Did you just sit around? Watch a lot of shows? Or did you accomplish something you can be proud of? Don’t let this time be a waste! You have so many opportunities right now! It’s still your time, and you still get to choose how you spend it!

Here’s some free ideas. You can start right now…

Ideas To Improve Your Commute

Ideas To Improve Your Commute

Commuting! It’s one of the most common examples people mention as something they “waste time” doing. The longer the commute, the higher the likelihood:
1) you won’t exercise as often or as intensely as you should,
2) you’ll grab quicker/unhealthier food instead of preparing something healthy or making smart choices, and
3) you won’t sleep as much as you should or need.

Eliminating your commute isn’t an option. How could you improve it? Make it more productive? Here are a bunch of ideas for you to consider:

Stop The Back-and-Forth to Set Meetings!

Stop The Back-and-Forth to Set Meetings!

Is this type of back and forth familiar to you?
“Hey can you meet next week?”
“Sure what time works good for you?”
“How about Wednesday afternoon?”
“No I’m busy then, what about Thursday?”
“No, I’ve got multiple events going on that day. Any other times work for you?”
And on and on….

This is such a waste of both party’s time sending all this back and forth, and waiting for the replies. Technology and software have eliminated the need for this, so now start using them and changing these habits to get your time back!