In today’s hustle and bustle world, it’s hard to find time to catch your breath. Busy schedules have us moving at frantic paces and leave us feeling frazzled. By implementing the 5 strategies listed below, you can find a better balance when it comes to what you have to do and what you want to do:
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Write It Down
While modern technology is great, it can and often fails us. Failure to keep your smartphone charged results in a dead battery and missed appointment reminders. Consider a day planner for writing down appointments, important dates, and events. A planner is a great way to review your schedule and it provides a much-needed break from a computer and smartphone screen.
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Use Helpful Apps
There are lots of apps for organizing and managing busy schedules. Any.do is an app that allows you to create to-do lists and to seamlessly sync them across devices. If you’re a goal setter, then you’ll like the To-Do Calendar Planner app. It allows you to divide tasks into subcategories and to set goals for completing the tasks. Google Keep is another helpful app that allows for simple note taking by using color-coded sticky notes. You can attach photos to your notes and leave voice memos. Visit Lifehack.org for a list of additional organizational and planning apps.
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Delegate
The need to feel in control of everyone and everything is a key contributor to stress. Most things in life are out of our control so learn to let go by delegating. Perhaps there’s someone who understands a task better than you or who is willing to help—all you have to do is ask.
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Learn to Say No
How many times do we say yes when we really want to say no? It’s something we’re all guilty of due preconceived notions of what will happen if we say no. Spreading ourselves too thin and missing out on the activities that we enjoy isn’t worth it. Reduce your stress by learning to say, “no thank you” to anything that is not a priority or a good use of your time.
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Look Up and Around—Not Down
Smartphones have become our third hand and we panic if we misplace it. While smartphones are great communication tools, our addiction to the screen is keeping us from some of life’s best moments. Try limiting your social media time for one week and see what happens. Chances are you’ll feel less stressed and you’ll have had more time to read a chapter in a book or relax with a cup of coffee.
Better Organization & Time Management
There’s so much to do and so little time to do it! Learning to prioritize and to let go of things that weigh you down are key to becoming more organized and less stressed. By using helpful tools such as a day planner or apps, you’ll feel more in control of your day, week, and months. These tools provide the structure you need to get started and the motivation you need to stay with it.
Improving Your Physical and Financial Health
The ultimate benefit of balancing your busy life is the effect it can have on your physical and financial health. For example, setting a reminder to pack your lunch with a healthy sandwich saves you money and prevents you from grabbing a fast food burger. Scheduling time to exercise, to work in your garden, and to do tasks you usually pay to have done, all add up to positive benefits. Once you find yourself feeling better and having more money saved, you might want to shop for the home with a front porch you’ve always wanted. To learn more about home financing options and consolidating your debt, contact OneTrust Home Loans today.