Practical Time Saving Tips

  • Posted on August 11, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Are you looking for ways to save time without cutting corners?  Not only can these tips provide insightful help; but also, look around my website, which is dedicated to offering you many resources that you don’t have time to seek out yourself.

Here are 10 practical time saving tips you can start using today.

Menu planning – planning meals in advance not only saves you time, but also saves you money.  When you plan meals for the week, you won’t be running to the grocery store every day to get the things you need and you will be able to resist the temptation to eat out so much.  Meal planning is simple and easy to do, and with a little research for recipes online, such as: www.menuplanningcentral.com – you can plan something different for every day of the month or more.

Scheduling – by creating and sticking to a daily schedule, you will enormous amounts of time because you can stay focused on the task at hand, instead of what’s next. Using an online calendar that will allow you to send yourself emails and additional reminders is also a great way to stay on track of events and chores.

Keep lists -having a list of all the things you need in a day will help you stay on task, while giving you a sense of accomplishment as you cross off each item.  At night, go back over the list and make a new list of the things you did not get accomplished.

Be organized – This is one of the biggest time savers there is.  When you are organized, it is easier to find what you need and be on your way.  When you are physically organized, you will feel mentally organized as well.

The in-between time – the biggest waste of your time is not utilizing the in-between times.  As you know, frequently starting and stopping tasks stifles your productivity and wastes precious time.  Having things ready or available to do when you know you are going to have in-between time.

Delegate! – Whenever possible, delegate the daily chores or appointments to other capable family members or colleagues.  We have the strength of communities, families and teams for a reason.  You don’t have to do everything yourself. :-)

Get rid of distractions – if you spend most of your time on the computer, tear off the programs that easily tear you away from the task at hand.  If you have a home office, turn the TV off to concentrate only on work.

Learn to say No – Once in a while, you will be asked to do more than time allows.  In these moments, you must learn to say no politely, and then either delegate the task or re-schedule for a more appropriate time.  

Utilize idle time – while sitting in a waiting or during your daily commute (but not while driving), use your time wisely.  You can catch up on emails, work on that important report, or plan out your shopping list.  When you use idle time, you are giving yourself more quality time with family when your home.

Group similar tasks – do the dishes or pick up around the house while talking on the phone.  When you de-clutter a table or countertop, dust it off at the same time.  When you go to turn off the tv that the kids left on, dust it off as well.

Saving time doesn’t have to cut into your lifestyle.   By adopting and incorporating just a few of these ideas, you’ll soon spend time doing the things you want to do!  You will begin to feel better about yourself and what you can accomplish, your spouse will be impressed and your children or colleagues will pick up and follow the good example you are setting.

To see this article in it’s entirety, go to: www.Resources4Women.com/10_Practical_Time_Saving_Tips

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5 Tips For Buying Sunglasses

  • Posted on July 22, 2009 at 5:36 am

From neutral tones to bright-fashion colors, from oversized to small frames, today’s fashionista needs a few pairs in her wardrobe collection. By choosing different sunglass styles and colors, the frames can reflect your attitude and your mood. They can change your outward appearance and personality in an instant.

While sunglasses can give you an aura of glamour or “casual cool”, don’t forget that the primary reason for wearing them is to protect your eyes from the sun. You can still create the fashion image you want while preserving your vision and the entire area around your eyes. The American Optometric Association suggests you look for the following when shopping for shades:

UV protection. Sunglasses lenses should block out 99 percent to 100 percent of both UV-A (ultraviolet A) and UV-B (ultraviolet B) rays. UV rays can cause a variety of maladies including cataracts (clouding of the eye), benign growths on the surface of the eyes, photokeratitis (”sunburn” of the surface of the eyes), and cancer of the eyelids and the skin around the eyes. Wide-brimmed hats can block only about half of the UV radiation that hits the eyes. The rest of the protection needs to come from sunglasses.

The Eye Protection Factor (EPF) is a scientifically applied solar rating designed to help people compare the efficiency of sunglasses in protecting the eyes from the harmful effects of radiation. EPF is to non-prescription sunglasses what the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is to sunscreen. The EPF rating is based on frame coverage, ultra-violet protection, blue light protection and infrared protection, or the ability to shield the eyes from heat. The final EPF rating is a result of averaging the scores of these four factors known by the acronym FUBI.

Comfort. The hottest sunglass style out there won’t do a thing for you if you still need to squint to see or if the bridge of your nose is pinched. Try on several pairs until you find the one that fits your face comfortably (an optician can adjust them if they’re pretty good but not quite perfect).  Just as you are likely to select an outfit that flatters your body shape, the same should be true of your sunglass styles. A pair that fits your face rather than fights against it can take years off you, so apply the rules carefully to avoid costly mistakes.

Tint. You need to make sure the lenses you’re considering are not so dark that colors are distorted but are dark enough to allow your eyes to adapt easily to indoor or nighttime activities. Spending time in the bright sun without sunglasses or with sunglasses that aren’t dark enough can make it difficult to see well later in the day or evening, which could be hazardous if you’re driving home after a long day at the beach, for example.

Color.  The color of your frames will also depend on whether you want them to match or contrast with your outfits, or reflect a particular aspect of your personality or style. If you are not going for dark or mirror lenses, then you may also want to consider what works best for your eye color, or which frame lifts your skin coloring or complements your hair.

Style.  According to Hollywood celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe there are a few tips to bear in mind when choosing the correct frames.  Oval face shapes are the most versatile because of their balanced proportions. Square face shapes need a slightly curved frame in contrast to the face. Oblong need to play down the length by choosing frames which cover the center of the face. Round faces need a contrasting frame such as a straight or angular one. Triangular, with a broad forehead and narrow chin, contrast your shape by wearing thin-rimmed frames which don’t sit high on your face. Inverted Triangle, with a narrow forehead and wide chin, you want a frame which widens the top part of your face, and narrows the chin.

Optometrists recommend that you wear sunglasses any time you’re outdoors, whether you’re driving, working, exercising, walking, or simply running errands, in order to block out damaging UV rays. Fortunately, with all the styles out there, it shouldn’t be too hard to find the pair that makes you look great and keeps you seeing well!

To view the full length article, go to: www.Resources4Women.com/5-Tips-For-Buying-Sunglasses

 

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5 Simple Relaxation Tips

  • Posted on July 20, 2009 at 9:23 pm

Everyone experiences times throughout the day where you just wish you could relax for even a few minutes. Well, fortunately there are simple ways to relax, even during your busiest days, that do not require a lot of time or equipment. 

 

When you’re in line at the grocery store - Instead of stressing out because there aren’t enough cashiers and every line has 5 people with heaping carts of groceries, use that time to relax your body by taking some deep breaths. Not only will deep breathing help you relax, it’ll help to clear your mind, reduce brain fog, and you’ll feel much more alert and ready to tackle the next project on your plate. 

 

When you’re at work - While sitting at your desk, roll your head around, from side to side and from front to back with your eyes closed. This technique helps to relieve neck tension, increasing blood flow to your brain, which is a natural and easy way to relax. If you’re on your feet all day, stretch out your back and sides by standing with your feet firm on the floor, shoulder width apart, and twist your upper body, including your head, slowly from side to side.  During your lunch break, take a few minutes to go for a walk.

 

When you’re rushing through a busy day - Daydream, it lets your imagination flow, causing instant relief from the stress of the real world. Think of a place or experience that makes you feel happy or calm. Imagine how it smells, how the air feels, and who’s around.

 

Wherever you’re at, smile - Smiling is proven to help relax and rejuvenate your body. Don’t worry about appearing silly to anyone, if they act as if they take offense to it, just chuckle to yourself and remember who feels better than who at that moment.

When the going gets tough, laugh -Laughter is proven to be an instant stress reliever. Now I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t want to be seen as a nut case, so laughing out loud when you’re in line at the store or sitting at your desk may not be the best time. When you can, get someone involved in your laughter with you.

 

Engaging in these simple, everyday relaxation techniques will help to sustain and strengthen you throughout your day. It’ll also make it easier to unwind when you get home. Your friends, co-workers, and family will all appreciate the new, relaxed you! 

 

To view the entire article, go to: www.Resources4Women.com/5SimpleRelaxationTips 

 

 


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How to Become A Strong Leader

  • Posted on July 20, 2009 at 6:15 pm

What are leaders?  Leaders are not born… A leader is created and the whole process starts inside the most dangerous place you’ll ever encounter – your own mind.

How can you become a strong leader who inspires others, drives people toward excellence, holds people accountable, and instills a sense of trust? Learning what makes a great leader is your first step.

 

Here are some things you can do to become the leader you’ve always wanted to be:

    

Control yourself.  This means becoming a master of self-discipline and willpower; following through in everything you do; and choosing your emotional response to a situation carefully.

 

Project your goals.  Communicate with your team to make sure they’re on the same wavelength and

get your team involved in the planning process.

 

Praise highly and criticize constructively.  Publicly praise the people who do excellent work for you and

offer constructive criticism and do it privately.

 

Know your people.  Truly understand their hopes, dreams, struggles, pains, and goals; talk to your team and get to know them; and be their leader first and their friend second.

 

Make the hard call.  Firing, demoting, and holding people accountable for their actions can, at times, be one of the most difficult things to do.

 

Regardless of where your leadership role takes you, believe that you can be a strong leader. Strive to gain the respect of others, through leading by example in every area of your life. 

 

To view this entire article, go to: www.Resources4Women.com/HowToBecomeAStrongLeader

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Find Inner Peace In Chaos

  • Posted on July 18, 2009 at 8:37 am

Life can be truly hectic, even chaotic.  With the checking of email, running the kids around, fixing the meals, cleaning the house – it’s a wonder we have time to breath.  Here are some helpful ideas to help the daily flow and allow you a little time to breath… and actually enjoy the chaos!

1.  Meditate - Meditation can be very helpful in bringing you peace. Meditation doesn’t mean sitting uncomfortably and chanting like the monks in the movies. Instead, it’s a very comfortable and soothing way to calm your mind and bring you the serenity you desire. On the days I don’t meditate, I can definitely see and feel the difference in myself.

2.  Find the positive - No matter how chaotic things get, you can always try to find something good and positive in your situation. Actively look for the silver lining. It could be something as simple as a favorite song, a picture, or the smile of another person that gives you some inner peace. Look for these things and you will find them.

3.  Slow down – While we have to multitask almost constantly these days, doing so tends to wear us down even faster. Multi-tasking can sometimes even add to the chaos around us.  While you may be able to handle three or more things at once, the quality won’t be nearly as good as if you focused on them one at a time.

4.  Don’t let anyone drag you down!  Remember that you are in control of your day, not your mother, your friends, your husband, your boss or your kids – YOU!  Be wary when considering the opinions of others. Don’t ignore everyone, but don’t let yourself get bogged down with other people’s baggage and their issues, either.

5.  Take out the drama – Eliminate the drama in your life, especially other people’s drama. Focus on solving your concerns positively rather than enjoying pity parties.

6.  Take a break – Find a little time here and there to get some peace and quiet while you reflect on the events of the day.

Life will always have stress and problems, but how you react to them can dictate the level of chaos in your life.  Use these tips every day to bring.

To view this article in it’s entirety go to:  ZXXXX LINK www.Resources4Women.com/FindInnerPeaceInChaos.

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