We are busier than we have ever been. Life pulls us in every direction. And there is little time for all of life’s demands. There is little science that backs this up, but the evidence is overwhelming. We talk fast. We are always in a rush. We start things and can’t find the time to finish them and are then reminded over and over again by some idea that we forgot something, but can’t remember what that something is. This feeling (of lack of time) leads to stress and harms our bodies. It is possible to reduce this feeling of stress, by adding an extra hour to your day through time-management techniques.

• Make a Time Diary. List what you do every day. Be Honest. This will illustrate where all your time goes and can help you make decisions about using your time more effectively.
• Learn to Say “No”. Your time is precious, so if someone asks you to do something that you don’t want to do or don’t have time to do, politely and firmly say no. And do not feel guilty about it. You can then focus on your goals when you decline. You can spend time with friends and family, or on your health.
• Time-Based, To-Do List. Create a To-Do list and include how much time you should spend on each item. This will help you prioritize.
• Let Your Computer Help. With all the technology available, make it work in your favor. There are many personal scheduling software programs that can help organize. You can create To-Do lists and design a phone or address book. When you have less clutter and more organization, you’ll begin to see your life streamlined.
• Multitask. All of us combine several activities into one. Sometimes this can be dangerous, but other times it can be beneficial. When you are watching the news, pay your bills. When you are driving from the office to home, listen to that book on tape that you have been wanting to finish.
• Don’t be a Perfectionist. Set rational goals for yourself. Be your best, not the very best. You will just add stress to your life if you set unfeasible expectations for yourself.
• Reward Yourself. Most importantly when you have organized your time better and have made progress in prioritizing, you should acknowledge this improvement. Enjoy your success!

Source: Casey, John. “6 Tips for Better Time Management.” http://www.webmd.com/content/article/86/98998.htm.