Always Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need

Are you guilty of not allowing enough time for even life’s simple tasks?

You end up rushing because you didn’t allow enough time for getting ready, traveling to obligations, and finishing last-minute work.

Not allowing enough time is a sure recipe for stress, disorganization, and wasted time.

Being Unrealistic About Your Time

You use phrases like, “It will only take me a minute” and “Give me just a second.”

Yet, very few tasks actually take “a minute.” And you probably need more than “one second” to get yourself ready.

While you might say that these statements aren’t meant to be accurate, they do reflect our habit of being unreleased about out time. Too often we underestimate the time that tasks will take.

“Always give yourself more time than you think a task will take.”

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A simple solution for bad time estimates is to always allow extra time for tasks. Beyond what you think it will take, provide yourself a buffer so you will have time to complete the work.

Here are just a few things you should allow extra time for:

• First Time Tasks – First time tasks always take longer than you think. You don’t know what will happen, and the unexpected usually does happen.
• Going to Appointments – Whether it is a meeting down the hall, or an appointment across town, always allow for traffic and delays. Rushing isn’t fun or safe. Getting there a few minutes early gives you time to locate where you need to be and have time to spare.
• Getting Ready for Your Day – Always rushing out the door? Try giving yourself an extra 15 minute headstart on your day. Either get up earlier, or eliminate some of the unneeded items of your morning routine. You’ll be out the door on time and with less stress.
• Packing – Last minute packing results in forgotten items and friction. What did you forget on your last trip? Always allow more time to pack that you think you will need. Packing at the last-minute doesn’t allow for laundry or running to the store for missing toiletries.
• Creative Work – Doing creative and coming up with new ideas requires time. You can’t rush  brainstorming. While there are ways to increase your creative productivity, you still must invest the time.
• Traveling – Driving, no matter how short or how long, always requires more time than you estimate. Even with GPS, we still don’t allow enough time. Don’t be in a rush on the road. Not only does it not accomplish much, but it puts you and others at risk.

Give Yourself More Time

Avoid the self-inflicted stress and life friction of not giving yourself enough time.

That “one minute” task is likely to require fifteen or more.

Make sure you schedule more time than you think you will need even for simple tasks.

Question: What tasks do you need to allow yourself more time to complete in your day? You can leave a comment by clicking here.