Is Time Your Enemy?

by Sheila McCurdy
Certified Professional Organizer, CPO®

Do you barely get to work on time? Then do you go to lunch with your stomach still tied in knots because you still have that feeling that the day is rapidly passing and you’re getting nowhere? Then you leave work late in the vain attempt to “make up time?” And what about the Parent-Teacher conference that you were late to because you figured you had enough time to stop at the bank? And let not forget the time you were late to your own birthday dinner that your friends made especially for you.

Always running, always late, always frustrated and even always angry or on edge? It’s time to break the Ferris-wheel cycle of running around in circles and getting nowhere. We all have the same hours to use every day. Some people bank their time wisely while others become overdrawn by hours. Which are you and which one do you want to be? The following steps will help you choose.

  • Get everything ready the night before. Do not wait until the morning to iron, find your shoes or locate your keys.

  • Have your children get everything ready the night before. Do not wait until the morning to give them lunch money or sign their homework papers. If you have a baby, pack the diaper bag and lay out their clothes.

  • Wake up earlier than is necessary so that you have time to eat, feed the kids, read the paper and get to work on time. In other words, time to relax. Even people working from home need this time before they start their day.

  • Get all of your appointments on a calendar – paper or computer. If necessary, put all appointments on a wall calendar so that everyone in the family knows where you are and you know where they are or where they need to be.

  • When scheduling appointments, leave ample room between each one. Consider driving time, waiting time and someone else’s late time. And you never know when the freeways will be crowded or you have a flat tire.

  • Children do not need to be in every sport known to man. One outside activity is plenty. Children are becoming more and more stressed because of the conflict between winning sporting events, doing homework and practicing their piano lessons. What is wrong with having relaxed children? Plus, you’re the one that has to drive them everywhere. You are robbing them and yourself of precious time. Cut back on these activities.

Now it is up to you whether you want to deposit into your time bank or withdraw too much from it. For help with scheduling your time or any other organizing concerns, contact Sheila at clutter STOP by calling 520-572-2244 or by email sheila@clutterstop.com.

Sheila is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and has written the book “The Floor is not an Option!” on organizing your home and papers.

© 02/2004 – updated 02/2011