10 Ways to Find More Time in Your Schedule

Most of us would like to have just a little more time: how much more you could get done if you had just an extra hour or two a day? While I can’t magically transport you to Bajor, where they have 26-hour days, I can share a few tips that will help you to take control of your schedule and help to make it seem like you have a few extra hours.

1. Decline meetings. I don’t accept every meeting. If I don’t see real benefit resulting from my attendance, either for me or someone else, I decline the meeting. By only going to meetings you need to attend, you free up some time to do something productive.
2. Have effective meetings. Strive to have shorter, more effective meetings by being organized and always having a definitive end time. Spending a few minutes preparing for a meeting and send out an agenda and other materials in advance; it will mean that you get through the meeting faster, with less floundering around figuring out what you need to accomplish. I also try to keep people on track during the meeting and attempt to end on time or early when possible.
3. Schedule work. We all have certain tasks that require uninterrupted time where we can focus. For those activities, I try to free up big blocks of time on my calendar, and I schedule those tasks the same way that I would schedule a meeting, which allows me the time to work uninterrupted.
4. Schedule recreation. I also schedule my workouts just like any other meeting on my calendar. This has a couple of advantages. First, I get a reminder when it’s time to work out, and second, it discourages other people from scheduling over my workout and makes it more likely that I will be able to find the time for staying fit.
5. Take advantage of off-peak times. Try to schedule activities at times when you can do them in less time. When I need to drive to work (a 45- to 60-minute commute), I get up early to beat some of the traffic and schedule my workout after work, so that by the time I’m done exercising and ready to drive home, the traffic isn’t as heavy. I also try to avoid grocery shopping right after work or going to the bank at lunch.
6. Group and combine. Where possible, I take advantage of logical groupings to minimize travel time, such as scheduling afternoon meetings downtown when I know I need to be there for an evening event. I also try to combine meetings where possible, and I often meet with people for informal discussions at local tech events or prior to meetings. By combining meetings with meetups, I can get more done.
7. Be flexible. I try to be flexible with my schedule to maximize productivity. On days that I work from home, I start work at six or seven in the morning and then take a slightly longer lunch with a workout, which helps me start the afternoon refreshed. I also tend to move things around on my schedule and be flexible to take advantage of unexpected, but productive conversations with coworkers or to stay “in the zone” when I’m really being productive on a chunk of work.
8. Take breaks. When we get really busy, we tend to turn into workaholics and attempt to power through the work even when we aren’t being productive. While taking a break sounds like you will lose time, in many cases, it can help you get a new perspective on a difficult problem. A short walk can help, as can taking a break to accomplish something else, like running an errand or getting in a workout. After a little break, your brain will be refreshed and ready to be productive again.
9. Turn off the television. I used to watch a lot of television in the evenings until I realized I was spending too much time watching other people and not enough time experiencing my own life. I was surprised at how much time I had for hobbies, reading, fitness or even just getting a little work done in the evening when television wasn’t sucking hours out of my day.
10. Block out time for you. I block out my calendar from 4:30 to 5:00 every afternoon to give me a few minutes to reflect on the day, double-check my task list and wrap up any last-minute projects. In a past job where I often had back-to-back meetings all day, I used to block out my lunch hour just to give me time to eat! I know others who block off some time in the morning or afternoon to have time to take their kids to and from school. Think about what is important for you and make sure you find time in your schedule for what you want to do

Courtesy of Dawn Foster 

What an Honour - Amanda O'Reilly Wins 40 under 40 Award.

Amanda O’Reilly, founder of InStyle & Co which consists of three separate entities;Balance InStyle, Weddings InStyle; Events InStyle was awarded the Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award this past Monday May 1st, 2011.

OBJ Article highlights the 2011 recipients and the criteria used to reach their decision.

“This year’s list of 40 recipients proves Ottawa has the talent, creativity and the ‘jazz’ that goes along with moving a city forward into a vibrant place to work and live. The city is alive and well,” said Michael Burnatowski, OCRI Entrepreneurship Centre manager and one of the panel of judges determining the awards.  The committee included Mr. Burnatowski, University of Ottawa Telfer EMBA director Terry Kulka, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce executive director Erin Kelly, CellWand Communications CEO Nick Quain, OBJ editor Peter Kovessy and OBJ publisher Michael Curran, who also chaired the process. The judges collectively spent around 100 hours reviewing and ranking each of the submissions. All nominations were assessed according to a 40-point system: 20 points for business achievement, 10 points for expertise and 10 points for community involvement. “I really like the way the award itself is structured. It is a balanced scorecard, with a slight tilt to business achievements. It is a great way to think about what it takes to be a business leader in the city. It’s not just about business expertise – it is about being a part of the community,” said Mr. Kulka.

Amanda has a lot in common with her clients and understands the need to have things done quickly and without compromise. “To do” lists are a constant in people’s lives; it seems that as quickly as one list is checked off, another list is started. “Understanding our clients’ individual needs, building long-term, trusting relationships, and valuing client confidentiality are the standard at InStyle.

Balance InStyle opened its doors in 2006 and was the first in Ottawa to provide lifestyle management solutions from leisure to luxury all the way down to the routine and mundane. In 2007 Balance InStyle opened it’s second location in Naples Florida catering to snowbirds. 

Also in 2007, Amanda co-founded the Canadian Concierge Association to offer support and advice to those wishing to start their own Concierge Business after learning the ropes the hard way.

After running her business out of her home for the first few years Amanda decided it was time to take her game to the next level and took up residence at 107 Murray Street in the heart of the Byward Market.

In 2009 Weddings InStyle was created to offer couples opting for an intimate glamorous affair an alternative. "Budgets might be tight these days, but that doesn’t mean that style and romance are going away."

Civil weddings or bigger than “BIG” Sex in the City weddings were the options at hand, before Weddings InStyle. There were no turnkey full service options available in the downtown core that could accommodate 2–90 guests without compromise. In 2010 Amanda also became a licensed wedding officiant thus having the privileged to also perform ceremonies.

Events InStyle completes the trio. Offering premier event planning solutions that are a reflection of personal style that are customized to meet individual needs. 

Amanda is so passionate about her business and her clients and this is evident in everything that she puts her InStyle signature to.

Amanda and her team give back on a regular basis through the generosity of their clients. When re-organizing, purging or staging client homes, they often come across unwanted clothing, toys, and household items which they in turn donate directly to various women & children based shelters.

In 2005 Amanda co-founded the 100 Man Run and has helped raise over $100,000 for The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation a cause which is near and dear to her heart.

Amanda maintains that this award is a collaborative effort and is very thankful for her team, her vendors, friends and family who never lost faith in her vision, passion and determination to bring something new and InStyle to Ottawa.