What do you think of when you hear the word “time”? We most often think, “Is it time for cocktails?” Do you constantly refer to your watch to see how much time you have left before going somewhere? Do you check to see if there is just one more task you can accomplish before you run out the door? Are you always late because of this? Are you always wondering where the minutes, hours, months have gone? Is there a calendar close by to constantly check dates?
We Seniors realize how important time is. It can neither be created nor manipulated. So, what can we do about managing it?

First of all:
• Prioritize – hourly, daily, weekly and monthly
• Organize – Years ago, a friend was visiting me while I was cleaning house. She began to laugh and then told me that I looked like a chicken with its head cut off. I would go into one room, find something and take it to another room and once there find something else. She said, “Why don’t you do a room at a time? Do not leave that room until you are finished. If you find things which belong elsewhere, whether it is trash or laundry, leave them by the door.” She was right, isn’t organizing your house cleaning comparable to trying to organize your life?
• Remind – Use your calendar not only to mark commitments but add the dates when you have to mail greeting cards (buy 10 great ones, address them in advance and put a Post-It with the mailing date on each card. Add those dates to your calendar too.) Make sure you have a big calendar with large squares for each day. Hang it where everyone except the dog and cat can see it. Make sure it has a blank page for the next year. Once you get ahead of the game, you will be happier.
• Remember – Use the Notes app on your smart phone to capture good ideas. Make sure that you put the list header in bold so that you can easily find it. Whether it is inviting someone over to dinner or finding a fun gift idea, or a place to travel in the future, if you add it to a list which is easily found…it cannot escape.
• Exercise- Take a daily walk; even a short one. You will return to your to do list energized and refreshed. While it might seem strange to waste your precious time to go for a walk, you are doing it for more than exercise. It frees the brain to think. Be sure to take a notebook and pen or your Smart Phone, to record the ideas which bubble up from your brain.

Time is limited. Your goal is to use it wisely. Whether you are writing a book, addressing birthday cards or adding items to your bucket list, you are in charge. Enjoy the time you have! Every minute!