How to Make Time… to Make Positive Changes in Your Life

You have set your sights on achieving the greatness that is hidden inside of you. But, you have been putting it off because let’s face it, you do not have enough time. It is very easy to lose track of time, regardless of how you spend your days. Between work, socializing, and staying healthy, it never seems like there’s enough time in the day to get everything done. If you are feeling this way, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about getting the most out of your time and using it to change your life.

Maximize Your time

We lose time to our habits and daily routine, but that does not mean that we can’t reclaim this lost time. Finding and taking ownership of hours that we have lost throughout the day is one of the best ways to make a real change in our lives. Here are some ways in which you can make this happen:

• Wake up earlier, as early as possible, without depriving yourself of sleep.
• Take part in meal prep Sundays. Make large batches of food on Sunday to get you (and your family) through breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week. If that seems like a daunting task, start with a few days at first. 
• Workout at home, save time on the commute and money on a gym membership. It’s a win-win.
• Write out a daily and long-term schedule and try to stick to it.
• Write down your goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them. Prioritize your goals.
• Ditch social media. It is a time-waster and can lead to depression and anxiety.
• Reduce screen time. Entertainment is fine, just set limits. If you are spending three hours a day watching TV or streaming videos, try to get it down to two, then one.
• Take an inventory of your time and tasks. What do you do during an average day? How much time are you spending doing what? Find where you are wasting time and purge these tasks.
• Prioritize things that benefit you in the long run — going to the bar versus staying in and reading a book? Stay in for the win – reading is great for the mind, and you’ll save some money too.
• Do not be afraid to ask for help. If you can get help from your loved ones, ask for it. This can free up many hours in the day that you did not realize you had before. Can a parent or grandparent watch a child so you can run errands or work a part-time job? 
• Postpone things you don’t need to do for six months and revisit them later. Once the time has passed, you’ll be surprised to see what does not need doing (or spending).
• Work on saying no to things that do not add value to your life. This doubles as a way to reduce the negativity in your life, as well.

For additional tips, check out the concept of time hacking, a method that enables you to boost your productivity and maximize your time. Check out these books for more information on time hacking and learn how to get started.

• Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day
• Conquer Procrastination: Proven Strategies to Maintain Productivity and Take Control of Your Life
• The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Prioritize Your Mental and Physical Health

Your mental and physical health are two of the most important things that you can protect and nurture during your day. Unfortunately, they are often pushed to the side during the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. That said, making time to work out, eat healthily, and perform self-care routines can save both time and resources in the long-run. 

Maintaining your physical health can help you avoid major health problems in the future, especially those referred to as lifestyle diseases. These diseases are linked to unhealthy habits that we have complete control over. By prioritizing health, both physical and mental, we can give ourselves the gift of time and success in the long-run. Think of it as an investment that will pay dividends in the future. 

Here are some ways to nurture physical and mental health. 

• Set aside 150 minutes a week for exercise. This is the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommended amount of exercise for adults.
• Meditate. This mind-body practice has numerous health benefits and can boost focus, productivity, and even improve physical health.
• Practice yoga. Yoga is a mind-body fitness program that has both physical and mental health benefits. These benefits include increasing muscular strength, improving cardiovascular health, and alleviating symptoms of poor mental health.
• Check-in with your loved ones. Keeping in touch with your loved ones is one of the best ways to nurture your mental health. Love and laughter are always positive things in your life.

You do not have to do all of these things alone. If you have a smartphone, then you have a sidekick that can help you make these changes. There are free apps and valuable online resources that can help you on your wellness journey. Here are some free apps that are available on both iOS and Android:

• Down Dog for Beginners (yoga)
• Insight Timer (meditation)
• Nike Training Club (online exercise classes and plans)

Invest in Your Education

It is no secret that education is king in the job industry. A degree or diploma can open doors that had been bolted shut before. Not to mention, it can help you make the jump from underemployed to finding a job that matches your skillset or interests and values all that you can offer. We are in a digital age, which means that education opportunities that may have been out of reach before are now attainable through online education. 

Earning your degree online helps you avoid many of the obstacles that can stop your progress, including time. E-learning is simply more accessible. You can pursue an education without traveling to campus, traversing paths to various academic buildings, and dealing with other hassles or distractions. In short, you can learn on your own time and earn a degree without the process taking over your entire schedule. This way, if you are working full or part-time, caring for a family, or both, you can make these obligations work around your studies. You just can’t do that by commuting to campus on a fixed schedule. 

Maximize Your Time with IMBC

Though it’s not easy to make a big change in the ways you spend your time, it can be very rewarding. Regardless of where you start, your decision to make a change is one that takes both courage and dedication. IMBC recognizes this and wants to help you succeed while earning your online degree. Our school offers students the chance to earn their associate degree or diploma online. 

Ignite your career change, enhance your job prospects, and discover new things with a degree or diploma from IMBC. Choosing IMBC is a simple choice for the student that makes the smart decision to further their education and expand their opportunities.

Take 15 minutes to learn about IMBC. We promise it won’t be a waste of time. Get in touch today.