In our last blog, we looked at how easy it is to streamline your way to more fulfilling life. However, don’t make the mistake of spending so much time seemingly streamlining your life, when what you’re actually doing is wasting more time…
The secret to streamlining tasks can be easier than you think.
Here’s how:
- Step by Step. Those jobs you hate and that you regard as chores are likely the ones that suck the time (and joy) out of your day. Instead of procrastinating and leaving them to another day, break each of these tasks down into individual elements. Then consider, is there an easier way of accomplishing the end result? (HINT: Just because something has ALWAYS been done like that, doesn’t mean it has to be like that in the future.) Are there any elements of the tasks that you could outsource? For example, take bookkeeping. So many people loathe this, myself included. My bookkeeper does a “first pass” for me, then I need to review and fine tune it. This process actually gets the bookkeeping done! Prioritize the various elements of any task – what really needs to be done now and what tasks could you combine to make an improved workflow?
- Understand the power of the template – repetitive, mundane tasks are ideal candidates for the template treatment! Those routine emails you send at work can be cut down to a millisecond if you create a template of your most commonly sent ones. Create templates of standard work procedures. This way, the work process can be followed by anyone, allowing you to potentially delegate work and also providing contingency should you be off work for any reason. Take some time to look at your projects or tasks and identify those that you perform over and over. Are there any common steps for which you could create a template? Once you start looking, you’ll be surprised where you see commonality!
- Everyday life made simple
- Eating. Streamlining doesn’t have to mean boring. It certainly does not mean conforming to a “Monday is fish, Tuesday is pasta” rigidity. Instead, plan your meals for the coming week and shop for the ingredients in one trip. Not only will this result in your grocery bill becoming leaner, you’ll also avoid food waste, eat more healthily avoiding last-minute takeout and save time and money on multiple grocery store runs. Prepare your meals in advance and freeze them down. Not only can you create a delectable freezer full of menu choices, you’ll also save a heap of time in daily cooking and after-prep. cleaning.
- Travelling. We all know the frustration of arriving on vacation, only to find, in our haste, we left an essential item at home. Mistakes like this can be costly. Instead, create packing lists; one for a weekend getaway, one for a business trip and one for a family vacation. Pack clothes items that can be worn a multitude of different ways and that are made of non-crease material. Ensure you are travel-ready the night before and that you have a clear idea of the route to your destination. Done beforehand, this adds to the general travel excitement. Done last-minute, this is the cause of so much friction! If you’re flying, save yourself some time at the airport and instead, check in online.
- Household Errands. Invest in a planner, instead of relying on envelope backs and sticky notes. This way, you can see common areas between errands – for example errands needed to run in the same part of town – and group them together. Schedule time slots for your personal to-dos – that way, you may be able to cross several off at once – now wouldn’t that feel good?
Taking time to streamline your processes might seem counter-intuitive at first. After all, it’s going to take time to get the processes in place, right? But instead of counting this time as taking you away from more enjoyable aspects, consider it as an investment in that future workflow. Imagine the feeling of being super-organized and actually enjoying time out, time when you would normally be tied up with routine chores, now wouldn’t that feel good?
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