WHERE DOES ALL OUR TIME GO? 365 Days X 24 Hours = 8,760 Hours A Year To Get Everything Done Have you ever really taken an honest look at where your time is spent in a day? Many people say they would always like more time in their day. What if you could find that extra time? The reality is that there are only 24 hours in a day and you can’t change this. However, you can manage your activities better and be more efficient with the time that you have. TIME MANAGEMENT is defined as the analysis of how your hours are spent and the prioritization of tasks to maximize personal efficiency. Basically, this means deciding which tasks and activities are the most important to you and doing those first. Knowing where your time is or must be spent will help you to reduce your stress. WHAT CAN YOU DO IN THE TIME YOU HAVE? Taking a look at a typical weekday of 24 hours, what do you have left after subtracting an 8 hour work day and the recommended 8 hours of sleep? The answer is 8 hours. In those remaining 8 hours of your day, what must get done? Commuting, eating, getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity, personal hygiene and care of family members are just a few of the things that you need to accomplish in this 8 hours of time. What must you accomplish TODAY? Make a list of the “must do” items (i.e. chores, family commitments, errands, etc.) and make a list of the “extra” things you want to or feel that you need to do (i.e. watching television, being on the computer, etc.). See if you can identify “time wasters” or “time sponges.” Time-wasting activities are often the biggest barriers to finding extra time in your day. TIPS FOR MANAGING TIME: 3 SIMPLE STEPS 2. Deal with procrastination. Procrastination is putting things off until the last minute. “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” 3. Manage your commitments. Give yourself permission say “No.” NOT URGENT IMPORTANT URGENT NOT IMPORTANT 1. Prioritize what’s important. Try using the Eisenhower Method. Place your “to do” items in the chart, as appropriate. One thing to remember is that your perception of “Important” or “Urgent” may be very different than someone else’s perception. 1 3 2 4 HIGHMARKBLUE SHIELD.COM TAKE TIME TO SAVE TIME Take time to organize—it will save time in the long-run. Find a system that works for you, whether it’s paper and pencil or the latest technical gadget. Write things down (or enter them into your smart phone or other digital device) and make a to-do list if necessary. Don’t rely on your memory to keep track of too many details, because this can lead information overload and “crash” your system (i.e. cause extreme stress). If you can handle it quickly, get it done and handle it only once. Going back to it is a time waster. Handle emails, memos, mail and other papers once. And, don’t be a perfectionist. Some tasks don’t require your best effort and full attention. Learn to distinguish between tasks that need to be done exceptionally and those that just need to get done. TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR TIME At Work At Home Organize your to-do list every day Work with goals in mind Do the most important thing first Check your email on a schedule Don't leave email sitting in your in box Know when you work best Set and respect deadlines Be able to let go Avoid disruptions Allocate your time Organize the family to-do list every day Build family fun time into every day Build in personal time Build in time to be healthy Be able to say NO to help minimize commitments De-clutter Delegate Set time limits for things Turn off the electronics Establish a routine and attempt to stick to it Where to Turn for Help CALL BLUES ON CALL℠. As a Highmark member, you can work with a health coach — who comes from a team of registered nurses and lifestyle specialists — to help you better manage your stress. They will keep you up to date with the latest information, offer guidance and provide educational materials, videos, and other tools to help make managing your stress a little easier. To contact a health coach, call the toll-free number on the back of your Highmark Member ID card (1-888-BLUE(2583)-428). ENROLL IN AN ONLINE HEALTH PROGRAM TO RELAX. Go to your Member website at www.highmarkblueshield.com, and follow the login instructions. Click on “Health Information Center,” then “Healthy Living” and under “Improve Your Health” click on “Manage Stress” to take a Wellness Program and an online health program. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MEMBER DISCOUNTS. Save up to 50% on non-covered wellness products, including pedometers, and services from leading national retail companies. Log on to your Member website, select the “Your Coverage” tab and go to “Member Discounts” to explore the options. Copyright © 2011 Highmark Inc. All Rights Reserved. Highmark is a registered mark of Highmark Inc. Blue Shield and the Shield symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. Blues on Call is a service mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.