Time Management

"Time" not enough.

Many of time, we blame our job for taking up too much of our time. I used to be one of them. I keep telling myself that IF I'm not working, then I can have more time to do more things. (things that I always wanted to)

Well, my wish granted. I'm no longer on a 8-5 job. I'm at home. Many people (especially your partner) will marked you as "not working". They will expect you to have time to do basically everything. Especially chores that they think they have "no time" to do. Still I see myself running out of time and rushing for last minute task. Then I realise, non-productive activities has used up my precious time. I wasted my time in front of the computer-playing games or shopping without purpose.

Do you ever realise you are wasting too much time on the non-productive activities, like spending too much time in front of your computer, tv or your smartphone.

If time spent on these can be used to complete the tasks on your to-do list, I think there will be less likely procrastination happened.

As a mother of two and a tuition teacher, I have to be always ahead of time. I have to learn on how to get things done by not jeopardising other schedule?

1. Plan ahead.
If you plan your meal ahead, you will less likely to search through your fridge and still unable to make up your mind after minutes. Not only helping in manage your cooking time but planning ahead on what to buy and what to do the very next day is important too. I always plan my tuition lesson the day before and put the teaching materials aside.

2. Be organized.
Keep your house clutter-free. Be it your wardrobe, kitchen, cabinets or even your own dressing tables. Once you have everything in place, you will save your time in searching. Just imagine, everyday, you spend 2 minutes each in searching for clothes, then accessories (like a matching earring, hair ban); perhaps your kids socks or her hair clips/hair bans. Then you continue to search for food or drinks in kitchen, then looking for container to pack some food for your kids. Lastly, your car key & house keys....Before you out from the house, you forgot your documents and you rush in to search in your bedroom. Nope, it's not there! Lastly you found it under the cushion on your sofa.

3. Iron your clothes right after they are out from the washer.
You will notice you spend less time ironing as there is no need to spray water on your clothes. Your clothes get iron easily and also they dry faster. (unless you own a steamer iron)

4. Invest in a white board/notice board
Write down your tasks as well as reminders. Train your family members to pay attention to the notice board instead of repeatedly remind them. Also, you can pin your bills or due payments there. Once your payment is done, file it immediately. Make it a habit to jot down remarks on the bills, like payment date, payment mode as well as amount. You can get your kids to pin their school's notice there so that the parent won't miss out any.

5. Restrict time spent on electronic devices
Limit yourself the time you are going to spend on browsing FB, tv programmes or your smartphone. Spend more time interacting face-to-face with your family members and friends, spend time in improving your living area, and occasionally look through your drawers or cabinets to de-clutter and clear up junks. In return, you will find yourself spending less time and energy when comes to spring cleaning time.

6. Learn how to multitask
When I'm not working, I spend more time talking on the phone with my family in other state. However, you tend to be redundant when you are on the phone. If possible, take a damp cloth with you, and while talking, clean up and re-arrange your shelves, clear dust from the table top, do some sorting or as simple as keep your cables or chargers in place.

Multitasking skill become more crucial when it comes to cooking. Some people likes to get everything ready then only they start cooking. In fact, you can always start with cooking dishes that require longer time, like grilling or stewing; then at the same time prepare the veges. After the grilling, use the leftover oil or sauce, add few spoonful of water to steam cook your veges. You will save a lot of time instead waiting the food to be cooked and washing the pan/wok.

7. Teach your kids how to manage themselves, and share out housework
Many of time, mothers spend their nights on helping the kids to arrange their school bags, get ready their uniforms, socks, hanky; coaching and WAITING for them to complete their schoolwork, or do laundry and ironing. Why not we let them handle these by themselves? We are too afraid they will fail to do it properly. They may miss out their text book/workbook. It's a parental responsibility to let them learn, and make sure they continue learning until they know how to do it. Learn by mistake sometimes still the best way of getting ones to really learn up something. Else, you will have to do it for them until they see the need of privacy and stop you from helping them.

In fact, kids like to help out, initially. Why "initially" we stopped them from helping? Get them to help on house chores that are suitable for their age.

My boy at the age of 9 is helping to wash plates and utensils after meal, brushing his uniforms everyday during bath time, cleaning his shoes by himself, throw rubbish, and vacuuming the house occasionally. While my 6 years old girl can help to hang clothes on the umbrella hanger, fold and keep clothes in the designated drawers, helping to set the table during meal time.