by Becca Badgett

Created on: August 06, 2008   Last Updated: August 22, 2008

Do you feel as if there's never enough time? Are you constantly rushing to accomplish the necessities of life with none left for enjoyment and relaxation? Getting a bit more organized can help ease the always-distressed feeling by saving you time and unnecessary effort.

Most of us have to get the family off to work and school and often go to work ourselves. Often we cannot get going without our morning coffee. If your coffee pot does not include a built-in timer, purchase a timer or a new pot that includes one. Waking to the smell of freshly brewed coffee can start us on the right morning track. If possible, try to enjoy a cup alone before you wake the family. Save yourself the money and time it takes to go to the drive thru. Try to get in your morning devotional or meditation with this first cup and see if you don't have a more positive outlook for the day.

Quietly check your personal e-mail. Chuckle over the silly forwards and know that means some one is thinking about you. Have a smile on your face when you greet the fanily as they rise. getting up ten minutes earlier can give you a brief moment of rejeuvenation.

Give the kids a bath at night. Try organizing everyone's clothing for the entire week as you do your laundry. Pair a day's clothing on hangers or folded together. Of course, you must sometimes make changes according to the weather or the day's activities, but if you develop this habit and get things together on laundry days, you will save time. Have morning toiletries in the same place and at a reachable level for little ones. They will have a sense of accomplishment, which may carry over into a more productive day.

Organize everything you need for the morning commute before you go to bed the night before. Should the weather dictate, have sweaters, gloves and umbrellas in a central location so you can grab and go. Have the children and husband put book bags and briefcases in this area and you are out the door in record time. Encourage everyone to keep car and house keys in the same spot to eliminate that frustrating search so many of us go through.

If family members are old enough and responsible enough, hand out the week's lunch money on Sunday. This may not be possible if payday is middle of the week, but it's another way to save time in the AM.

If your morning commute or lunch hour includes errands, a list can be your best friend. Keep it handy and write things down as they cross your mind. Make a weekly (or monthly) schedule of everyone's afterschool activities and post in a central location. Keep the kids involved by reminding you of what's going on each week. Include in-school parties and activities for which you must attend or send treats. Set your online calendar with holiday and birthday reminders a couple of weeks before the event. Shop ahead of time for gifts and, again, you're ahead of the game.

A few basic changes can diminish stress and enhance the time you spend with family and friends.

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