Timing is key to reducing wasted efforts
When running errands timing is key to making sure you get what you need to get done in the quickest, most efficient way possible.
You might have noticed that sometimes it takes ten minutes to get into and out of the grocery store for a gallon of milk and dozen eggs, and other times it takes twice as long. These ten minute gaps of time can add up to a wasted hour or more of time in an average morning of errands.
For me, Monday mornings around 8:30 a.m. have the biggest payoff of time saved. The stores are emptier, the check out lines are shorter, the traffic is lighter, and I’m able to get my errands out of the way and off my mind for the rest of the week. Friday afternoons and evenings are the worst, and I always do my best to avoid running any errands at that time.
Sometimes the region of the country you live in can determine when is the best time to run your errands, but there are a few things you can do no matter where you live to get in and out quickly.
Make a list and carry it with you. At the top of the list write down all your errands, so you don’t forget any of them and have to backtrack. Also, list them in the order they’ll occur on your route unless they’re dependent on another stop first.
Next on your list, write down what you need to pick up or deliver to each location. That might only be your grocery items and pharmacy items, or it might include documents you need to drop off somewhere, grocery, pharmacy, and beauty items, appointments, and gifts you need to buy.
By having all this on one piece of paper, you eliminate forgetfulness and save yourself plenty of time–enough to more than compensate you for the time spent organizing your list.
Get out of the house early. If you want to get done with your errands quickly, you’ll want to beat everyone else to the stores, the bank, and everywhere else!
If you try these quick tips, I’m sure you’ll recapture some of your lost time on errand day.
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