52 Ways to Save Time and Sanity

1. Make a "To Don't" list of things you don't have to accomplish today.
2. Choose a hairstyle that's wash 'n wear so you won't ever have to invest any time in it.
3. Do something relaxing every weekend. Don't spend time scraping pizza off the ceiling.
4. Don't think, "If I want it done right, I'll do it myself." Think of the Beatles' "I'll Get By With A Little Help From My Friends." 5. There is no such thing as "a waste of time." Even if you're stuck in line at the department of motor vehicles, you can make use of the time by reading a good book or teaching everyone there how to line dance.
5. Videotape your favorite TV shows. You'll save 16 minutes per hour if you fast forward commercials.
6. Use any time management technique that works best for you, including prioritization, delegation, and hiding under the bed covers.
7. Only subscribe to magazines that make you life easier or make you laugh.
8. Time is money. So measure yours in "yen" ($1 == about 100 yen); it will seem as if you have lots more.
9. Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but living with a little bit of dirt never killed anyone.
10. Perhaps procastination does pay off. After all, if you don't do it today, whatever it is might just go away all by itself.
11. Don't try to squeeze several errands into your lunch hour. That's like squeezing a size 8 foot into a size 7 shoe. You can do it, but it'll hurt later.
12. And speaking of shoes... the amount of time it takes for you to leave the house in the morning is directly proportional to the number of shoes in your closet.
13. To get it all, you must give your all. And then there won't be anything left of you to enjoy what you already have.
14. If you decide to change jobs, find one that is family-friendly.
15. Don't upgrade your computer software just because you can. You'll spend more time learning a new system than you'll ever save when the darn thing is up and running.
16. When someone asks you what you did over the weekend, don't feel guilty saying, "Nothing". In fact, say: "I did absolutely nothing. And I did it twice".
17. Avoid high-tech devices that only add to your feeling of being rushed and out-of-control. These include a cell phone, a beeper, a fax, and a cappuccino machine.
18. Write the words SLOW DOWN where you'll see them every day.
19. Live in the moment -- or at least in the same year.
20. Try taking the slowest route home once in a while. And if you work in the home, go out the back door and come in through the front or maybe through the window.
21. Decide whether you're a morning person, a night person, or a mid-afternoon-around-3-ish person. Then schedule your day accordingly.
22. Let your answering machine get the phone. You don't want it to feel unwanted.
23. Take naps! Churchill did. Benjamin Franklin did. Dogs do. And they're the primary purpose of life for tigers.
24. Have a life plan. When you have a good idea of what you want to accomplish, it's easier to say no to things that aren't consistent with your long-term goals.
25. Avoid perfectionism. Your chances of doing everything absolutely perfectly are about as good as the chance Martha Stewart has Bill Blass sheets on her bed.
26. When it comes to things to do, you've proven that you know how to add and multiply. Now subtract and divide.
27. Forget the clock. Eat when you are hungry, sleep when you're tired, and laugh out loud when you'd otherwise go insane.
28. You don't bring dirty dishes from home to the office, do you? Then don't bring any of your office dirty work home with you.
29. Lather. Rinse. Don't Repeat.
30. The next time someone asks you what your sign is, look them straight in the eye and say, "Help wanted!"
31. Buy less stuff so your spouse and kids will have less to break.
32. If you don't know where your bedroom is, chances are you're not getting enough sleep.
33. Only hurry if you're being chased by a herd of water buffalo.
34. Listen to either your internal clock or to your stomach, whichever is louder.
35. Learn to say "no" in many languages and say them with an accent and an attitude: German ("nein"), Spanish ("no"), French ("non"), Italian ("no"), Russian ("nyet"), and Pig Latin ("Oh-nay"). And for those of you who need remedial help: English ("no").
36. Avoid recipes containing the words "some assembly required," "meanwhile...," and "stir contantly."
37. Do something totally relaxing every day, like taking a long, hot bubble bath or watching the paint peel.
38. Remember that the "e" in e-mail does not mean "emergency."
39. Shop less -- even if the sales clerks start calling you at home to make sure you're not sick.
40. Lower your expectations of others. Be happy if your spouse puts the toilet seat halfway down or your dog is housebroken every other day.
41. Next time you absolutely feel the "need" to know what time it is, look at your cat. She will remind you that the only important times are dinnertime and nap time.
42. Follow this simple guide for managing your time at different times of the year: Spring -- Do half as much; blame it on allergies. Summer -- Do 1/3 as much; blame it on the heat and humidity. Fall -- Do 1/4 as much; blame it on pro and college football. Winter -- Don't do anything at all; blame it on the hectic holiday season.
43. When you give your kids time out, take one for yourself, too. Why should they have all the fun?
44. If you're feeling rundown, recharge. A vacation, a good night's sleep, or a bit of day dreaming will do the trick.
45. Get plenty of sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try reading the dictionary.
46. Delegate chores to your kids. Young ones can water the plants or fix the computer.
47. Walk slower, talk slower, eat slower. And quit fast-forwarding your relaxation tape!
48. When making new friends, choose only those who have a great sense of humor.
49. Shave your legs and underarms only if you feel that your life absolutely depends on it.
50. Take a deep breath -- aah!!
51. Oh, and there's always time for dessert!