This morning I was talking to people about how it drives me crazy to see a computer desktop filled with files and folders. It overwhelms me and I can’t deal with it. Someone was saying they usually put files on their desktop until it starts to fill up and then they organize it. This prompted someone else to say they could save so much time if they just organized it from the start. From there the conversation went to many ways we waste time by not handling something right away.
I’m really bad about doing this with laundry. There are times where I will live out of a laundry basket. I’ll spend my morning searching through a basket for a pair of matching socks (sometimes in the dark because Angela is asleep). Sometimes I’m lucky and the process only takes seconds. Sometimes it ends up taking a few minutes. If I would just put my laundry away when it comes out of the dryer, I would save myself from having to do this at all. Finding socks would be simple. I would open my dresser drawer and pull out a pair of socks. I wouldn’t have to search and I wouldn’t waste any time.
One area I am good about not wasting time is with the mail. Our trash can is right next to the steps to our door. So on my way up the driveway after getting the mail I will sort through it and see what is trash. When I get to the steps I will put the stuff that is trash straight into the trash can. It doesn’t even make it into my house.
In a world where everyone is so busy, there are many things we do that waste our time. If we want to have more time to chase our dreams, we need to look at what we can do to make our lives more efficient. Three to five minutes wasted looking for a pair of socks could translate into me scheduling a post about my blog on Twitter and Facebook. All that time adds up, and I’d rather spend it chasing my dreams.
What can you do to make your life more efficient?
until next time…
Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/vintagechica