Extra Extra!

Rushing around is always stressful.  Rushing around when everyone else is also rushing can be overwhelming.  You’re not the only one with so much to get done during the holiday season.  Check out these tips to save you some stress.

Tip 1:  Add 15 to 30 minutes onto everything.  Look at your calendar and pad all your appointments to start 15 to 30 minutes earlier than planned.  If you normally allow 25 minutes to drive across town, allow 40 minutes.  When you end up early for meetings you can use that time to write holiday cards, return phone calls, check email, or sit quietly and meditate.  This tip will reduce your stress and force you to schedule your day with grace periods.

Tip 2:  Outsource.  When you’re responsible for gift buying, menu planning, grocery shopping, errand running, taxi service for your children and keeper of the family calendar, outsource all that you can during the most stressful months.  Potential resources:

Online grocery shopping.
Take-out meals once or twice a week.
Catering your holiday meals.
Share taxi services with other parents.
Buy all gifts online.
Cleaning services.
Laundry services.

Sub-tip:  Ask others if they know of anyone who would like a little extra money over the next couple of months.  When you find someone, give them the list of things you’d like them to take care of.  You may want to have them work a given set of hours for you each week to keep control of your outsource budget.

Tip 3:  Bargains.  I’ve known people who will drive an extra 10 miles to save $5.00.  I’m not against a good deal, however, bargains can have hidden costs.  The hidden costs are usually your time.  Calculate in your time to see if the bargain is worth it.  What do you make per hour at your job?  Add 30% more to the hourly figure, for benefits.  Take the new hourly figure times the extra time it will take you to get in on the “bargain”.  Is it worth it?  Sometimes it may be, more often it is not – especially when you’re extra busy.

Tip 4:  Clump.  If you’ve got things to do around the house, devote dedicated time for that each week.  When you’re out picking up or dropping off things, devote dedicated time for those activities.  Clumping like activities is an efficient use of your time.

Tip 5:  Turn off electronics.  When you’ve got a lot to do, it’s easy to get distracted and avoid your tasks – which only adds to your stress.  Consider leaving the television off.  Put your cell phone in the other room.  Close your computer.  Avoid peeking at the internet or social networks.  It’s amazing the amount of time and energy these take from you.  Redirect that time into what is most pressing rather than distracting yourself with electronics.

How do you find extra time when you need it?  What other tips do you have?  What else have you outsourced?  Leave your comments below.

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