1. Find out Where Your Time Goes

Most people underestimate how much time they waste each day. It’s likely you have some habits that steal your time each day. For example, a person who checks Facebook 5 times per day, at an average of 10 minutes each time, will spend almost one hour per day scrolling through social media posts alone. At the end of the day, this same person may estimate spending only a few minutes per day on Facebook. Examine your daily habits and look for things that you do that are likely to waste your time each day.

2. Be Willing to Let Go of Extras

Check your schedule to find places where you are likely overbooked or overscheduled. See if there are some things you can give up. Remember, it’s okay to decline some obligations and to decide not to be involved in every opportunity that comes your way.

3. Create a Useful To-Do List

Lots of people keep a lengthy to-do list that causes them to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things on the list. As a result, they never feel like they’ve accomplished everything they need to get done. Create a daily to-do list and give yourself realistic things to do each day. Keep a separate long-term list for projects that can wait.

4. Prioritize Your Life

Examine whether or not you’re actually devoting your time to the things that are really most important to you. If you say that your physical health is important, yet you haven’t exercised in two years, it’s likely that your priorities are out of line. Find ways to live according to your priorities and devote less time to things that aren’t as important.

5. Give Up Multi-Tasking

Most of us think we’re pretty good at doing at least two things at once. However, we usually aren’t all that effective. In fact, our attempts at multi-tasking often slow us down. Focus on one thing at a time. Complete that task before moving on to the next.

6. Schedule Time for Relaxation

Find ways to relax and schedule into your busy day. Even if it’s just ten minutes that you squeeze in to read a book, make it part of your day. If you schedule it, you’re more likely to do it.

7. Practice Mindfulness Skills

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment. Focus on driving when you’re driving down the road. Pay attention to your food when you’re eating. Don’t go through your day always being so distracted by everything else that you miss what is going on now.

8. Purposely Slow Down

If you’re like most of us, there’s a good chance you’re act like you’re in a hurry, even when you’re not. Purposely make yourself slow down sometimes. Take your time getting ready to leave somewhere or just enjoy the ride.

9. Unplug From Technology

Being constantly connected to technology makes it difficult to relax. If you can’t resist the urge to view an email or reply to a text message, be willing to unplug yourself from technology. Even if it is just for one hour per day, give yourself a break sometimes.

10. Give Yourself Permission to Relax

Sometimes people feel guilty when they take the time to enjoy a bubble bath or read a book. Give yourself permission to recharge your batteries. You’ll lose the guilt when you make it a habit.