Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

It seems everyone needs a little more time to get things done these days.  All around you people are probably saying they wish there were more hours in the day, they are pressed for time, or the team is in a time-crunch.  Well, no one is going to be revamping the clock or the calendar anytime soon, so we all have to learn to cut seconds (or even hours) off our tasks in order to gain time.  Try out some of these six tips and see if they help.  Then maybe you'll automatically get the next "need more of" taken care of: energy!

1. Saving time starts with effective planning.  Create an agenda for your day and your week.  Block out important work tasks and family events.  Don't forget an hour or two (at least!) for yourself!
2. Write up a to-do list - but don't get too caught up in the "didn't get to do" portion.  Create a priority system, either by numbers or alphabet, that lets you know what the most important things are for the day.  As long as you get the "A list" done, the D's can probably wait 'til later.
3. Mull over ways to cut chores in half by involving your family (little ones are often more than willing to dust, and who says it has to be "perfect"?) or by performing several tasks at once.  (Try making extra of meal time favorites and freezing them for another night.  You'll save on TV dinners and frozen entrees too.)
4. Don't be afraid to delegate!  Whether it means bringing in a mother's helper for you WAHMs who need to focus on a project deadline or making good use of an assistant's skills at work, evaluate what tasks can be handed off to others - then hand them over.  Don't have a staff of your own?  Try a Virtual Assistant or an answering service for part-time tasks to take some of the heat off you during busy weeks.
5. Use online ordering and delivery programs to your benefit.  If you know you buy virtually the same things at the grocery store every week, try out their delivery program.  Same with office supplies.  Some companies offer free delivery if your purchases total a certain amount, so you may save yourself gas and other incidental charges.  (Let somebody else deal with the frustration of traffic, too.  heh heh)
6. Reconsider commitments and don't hesitate to say no or take a hiatus.  If you've been the Bake Sale go-to for the past five years, let the PTA know that this year you're going to have to "pass on the opportunity".  No one can fault you for culling time-hogging tasks from your commitments.  Eliminate anything that isn't vital to your family or livelihood if you're really swamped.  If you are realizing you're just spread a wee bit too thin, prune off half of your obligations and see if it helps.  Never be embarrassed to tell someone "I'm sorry, but I can't commit to that right now.  I'd be happy to consider helping in a smaller capacity - is anyone doing *xyz* right now for you?"  (To be honest, I just did this last week with the new Brownie troop that is forming in our school district.  I was asked if I was interested in being a leader and I said almost those very words!  Worked like a charm.)