Time Savers for the Obsessive Compusive

I like efficiency.  OK, that's a lie...I'm totally obsessed with time - how to do more in less time, how to leverage myself and our business, multi-tasking on steroids.  I practically do a touchdown dance and start trash talking my navigation lady when I arrive at my destination in 31 minutes after she tells me it will take 34 minutes. Everyone else has these same psychotic tendencies, right?  Well, maybe you have a friend...

We've compiled our Top 3 time savers for the Obsessive Compulsive Efficianados.

1.  Do the check-out people at your favorite grocer know you by name and snack preference?  Though we don't frequent the grocery store as often as we once did (my personal record was 4 trips in one day ~ April 13, 2009), we'll still make a few weekly pit stops if even just for a few items.  How much time could you save by only going once per week?  Make a list of your commonly purchased items and make sure you're stocked up before leaving the store.  Don't get stuck at 7:00 p.m. on a Wednesday night with all but 2 ingredients for your favorite dinner.  

Estimated time savings:  2 hours per week in extra stops (fighting over that parking spot, walking down aisles in 'high heel' speed, then making small talk with the checker about how long the previous customer in line took).

2.  Are you an Obsessive Compulsive Emailanado as well?  Like, do you check messages on your smart phone before getting out of bed, in line at aforementioned grocery stop, or even at a long red light?  Sure, me neither. Years ago, I was compelled to read David Allen's book, Getting Things Done, based on the title alone.  Having attended a workshop based on the book, I learned many time-saving techniques specifically related to email, so I wanted to pass along one of the simplest and more efficient:  Only check your email twice per day - once in the morning and once in the afternoon.  OK, if you just gasped in horror, then reduce it to 3 or 5 times per day...wouldn't this be a 200 check decrease?  By reading and responding in batch fashion, you can not only save minutes from having to login and open emails, but you save 7-10 minutes each check from NOT having to regain the concentration level present from having broken it just to see that One-Day-Sale or photos of your niece's trip to Cancun.

Estimated time savings:  7 hours per week (To get back an additional 15 minutes per day, unsubscribe from all those lists for emails you never read anyway...surely it wouldn't be THIS list, but hey, if it is I'm happy to give you back the time.  When the time is right, you'll hop back on to read these GEMS OF INTELLECT AND WIT ; )