It's Your Time, How Do You Want to Spend It?

I was reading this article and really enjoyed it because it is so true, here is a summarization of it....

The whole article is about finding a calmer, more satisfying approach to life.  We all live in a generation when this is hard to do.  Chronic busyness is epidemic in our culture, especially for women.  We cram so much into our days, we feel as if we're constantly slaving away.  That's why they created a 14-day plan to help with the busiest schedule.  Each day you will do one simple task designed to identify and eliminate your biggest time wasters and in the end, create a new and improved schedule.

Day 1 Keep A Time Diary
Write down what you do in 30 minute intervals, right after you do them so you don't forget!  Once you know exactly how you spend your time, you can start to think about how to spend it differently.

Day 2 Practice Monotasking
Choose one project and vow to concentrate on it for at least 30 minutes.  We always try and multitask, but research suggests that trying to do multiple things is ineffective.  "Wherever you are, be there.  Whatever you are doing, do it."

Day 3 Stop Reacting
Be choosy about who and what you give your time to.  Do the things that need to be done first, followed by less urgent things at the end of the day.

Day 4 Delegate Something
Focus on tasks most essential to your work and others that don't need to be done by you.  YOU don't need to do everything.

Day 5 Stop Dawdling
Procrastinating wastes precious time!  Avoiding a task makes it seem even more daunting.  Choose one project you've been dreading, at work or home, and just get started.  Ask yourself, "What am I really avoiding here?"

Day 6 Schedule Spontaneity
If you want freedom in your life, schedule it.  Block off time in your schedule to do nothing.  It is recommended that spending free time in nature helps you to get back in tune with the rhythms of the earth.

Day 7 Sketch Out Your Days
Plot out the coming week, using a scheduling tool.  Look at the necessities first and then the things you really want to do.  Make as much time for elective activities that you do for activities that you need to do.

Day 8 Trim One Thing From Your To-Do List
People often jam their day full of activities that they'll never get to, leaving you feel rushed and frustrated.  "Time management is not about doing more things in less time, but fewer things of greater importance in the time we have."  For every task ask yourself two questions: Do you enjoy it? Does it fulfill a life purpose?  You should answer yes to at least one of those questions.

Day 9 Embrace Imperfection
You can pick up so much time and energy knowing that nothing can ever be perfect.  Don't beat yourself up if something isn't done perfectly.

Day 10 Be A Little Selfish
For at least a half hour, do something your enjoy that you can rarely make time for.  Self-nurturing is very important.

Day 11 Replenish Your Energy
Putting in long hours doesn't make workers more productive.  Stay energized by taking breaks through out the day.

Day 12 Respectfully Decline
Saying yes to every single request, is a sure way to lose traction on fulfilling your own needs.  Practice setting boundaries both at work and home.  "You have to know when to say no."

Day 13 Do A Technology Cleanse
Yes!
"Media Multitasking" is taking its toll.  People who frequently spend time with multiple technologies at the same time make more mistakes, remember less, and take longer to complete tasks.  Give your brain a break, power down all the devices.

Day 14 Reignite A Passion
Spend time pursuing a hobby or long-term project.  Use this time to experiment with activities that feed your spirit and intellect.

We can all learn something from each of these components to living a more calm and fulfilling life.
This article I got from Whole Living magazine.