How To Make The Best Of 24 Hours

Better Organization

• Stay Organized - You've been looking for your keys since the 90's.  When it's time to leave the house, it's a game of hide-and-go-seek. Your belongings  needed for the day can't be grabbed to go and now you have to  search for them as those items don't have a "home" spot .  You've even bought a multi-pack of damage-free hanging hooks and rarely do you remember to put the keys on it.  If being disorganized is costing you time and money, now is the perfect time to establish what you need, and that's a routine and a set place for your belongings.  
• Fully complete each task - After cooking and eating, do the dishes and put them away.  Don't just leave them in the dish-washer or dish rack, Doing laundry? Remember to put the clothes in the dryer and also put them away in an organized manner, ASAP.  Try not to leave the groceries in the car or counter, put them away immediately.  Assign tasks and get help from household members.  Nowadays, everyone is so tired.  Don't do everything by yourself unless you have to.  The beauty of living alone is you can leave dirty dishes in the sink and leave a mess, but why?  Don't do that! Find a quick and easy way to complete these tasks. 
• Cease ineffective multi-tasking - When we multitask, we can be unproductive.  Switching gears to another task is stressful, can slow us down and sometimes everything stays half-way done.  Also, if we're spending quality time with friends or family, we're not giving them our undivided attention when we're talking to them while simultaneously scrolling through social media and watching TV. 
• Clear the clutter in the car every time you step out of it - Unless it belongs in the car, don't leave it there.  The day Before I got my car broken into, I had taken my laptop out of my trunk and my iPad-mini out of the glove compartment.  Don't leave fast-food bags, mail from the mailbox in the car -take that mess inside the house and take care of it there.
• Create a grocery list - Wandering around Costco can be fun, but try to get what you need first. 

Productive Socializing

• Less talking - Minimize phone chit-chat, especially if it's just gossip or talking about mindless things.  Sometimes we talk too much during work  lunch breaks and in waiting offices. Small talk can zap our energy.  Try to make the friendliness very brief. Don't be embarrassed to go back to reading your book or just resting your jaws and staying silent when a chatter has your ear.
• Remain focused on your plan- One's goals and plans, whether minor or major, are important. You really wanted to finish that book, complete an essay for a major grade, or maybe just organize all those apps on your phone, but along came a chatter or other interruption, and now you've abandoned your schedule and tasks.  This might be okay if it weren't a daily habit.  If the chatter is an actual friend or one you want in the future, you can make a specific time to network and talk.  We only have 24 hours in a day.  Surprise!  More than 25% (1/3 or about 33%) of it is usually spent sleeping, and more is spent working.  Be intentional about time. It's okay to goof off during "goof off time", if you've allocated a day for that, otherwise, tell people you have to go.
• Meditation/Prayer -  Chat with Holy Spirit (The Universe, whatever you choose to call the Powers that Be).  Now, that is very productive "socializing."   Of course, you can choose to stay quiet and listen, but the point is that meditation or prayer is done before looking at that cell phone or contacting anyone, whenever possible.

Stay  Proactive 

• Spend less time watching TV/Movies -  We have an abundance of options for entertainment outside the home as well as out.  There is no end to good show on Netflix, Amazon, Redbox, VUDU and many other apps and channels.  Try to keep the TV off for as long as possible to read and focus on your dreams and goals.
• Be proactive / Say "no" to procrastination -  Find something productive to do that will energize and motivate you, especially something that helps your dreams and goals.  
• Plan your day at night - Know what you will do the next day, the night before.  Make a plan, Stan! Always spend at least 5-10 minutes writing down your next day's plan on an index card or putting it in reminder app.
• Say "no" to constant personal email interruptions- Limit how many times you check email.  Checking email 3X per day is a good suggestion.  Try not to spend more time than ix necessary responding or texting.
• Keep your priorities in check - If you get off track, get back to your top priority.
• Rest up and eat healthy - Health is wealth, enough said.  Be proactive about your health, it's our everything and we're only able to accomplish things when we're in good health, good spirits and rested. Be proactive about your joy and peace during the day!  Keep your smile up and stay kind.

If you have any other ideas or thoughts on how to make the best of the day, please respond.  

*Twitter: @Cityostrich