Happy Leap Year Day!
Today we get an extra day tacked onto the end of February. I’m a little fuzzy about the importance of Leap Year, but I think it has something to do with keeping our calendar aligned with the seasons. We wouldn’t want to eventually get snow in the middle of summer, right?
How will you be spending these 24 hours? The same old routine: going to work or school, running errands, watching TV?
What would happen if you actually used this extra day to pursue your passion?
What could you accomplish with an additional day?
Instead of waiting 4 years to for another freebie, I’ve got a trick that will allow you to find an extra day every month.
That’s right, not every 4 years, not every year—but every MONTH.
Now, stand back while I wave my wand and say the magic words, “gnihtyna od nac uoy dna emit ruoy ezitiroirp!”
But seriously, I’m no magician, and you don’t need a mystical spell to find more time.
You just have to prioritize.
It’s easy peasy, I promise.
OK, so a day is 24 hours, and 24 hours is 1440 minutes. Divide by 30 days in a typical month, and you get 48 minutes per day (let’s round up to 50 minutes just to be safe).
To gain and extra day every month, all you have to do is find 50 minutes a day to devote to something productive. I say “something productive” because I don’t want you using this precious extra time on something that doesn’t build you up (no reality TV watching, please).
Do you have an extra 50 minutes in your day? Oh, I bet you do. Let’s find them!
Where are your extra minutes hiding?
- Do you hit the snooze button in the morning? Cut it out! People who use snooze alarms to get just a few more minutes of sleep actually feel more tired than people who get up with the alarm (or without an alarm if you’re really in touch with your body rhythms).
- Do you zone out on your commute? Of course, I want your eyes on the road if you’re driving, but why not combine that time with something engaging? Try listening to empowering music (pop, religious music, death metal, whatever it is that pumps you up) or an audio book.
- Do you ignore “waiting time”? If you’re waiting for an appointment, a meeting, a class, or if you’re standing in line at the grocery store, you’re overlooking valuable minutes. Use that time to journal, read, call a good friend, or flesh out your plans for world domination.
- Do you watch TV just to fill time? There’s no need to watch reruns or ads for things you don’t need. Your life is waiting for you!
- Do you get sucked into the internet for hours? I’m sure you can cut back your screen time. After all, Sweet and Sage is the only blog you need, right?
Think about it. I bet you’ve found a ton of lost minutes in your day.
What should you do with your free day?
- Devote more time to your kids and spouse. They give better hugs than the TV.
- Start your own business. Baby steps, man. A few minutes a day really add up.
- Write a book. Get that story out of your head and share it with the world. Not a writer? Try catching up on your reading.
- Clean your desk, junk drawer, or pantry. It’s amazing how our attitudes can change when we clean up our environments. A organized drawer today may give you the push to clean the rest of the house.
- Exercise. You didn’t think I’d leave this one out, did you? Move your butt just a little each day, and you’ll see big results.
- Meditate. Sometimes being still is the most loving thing you can do for yourself.
Need more tips on prioritizing your time? Check out these articles:
9 Tips to Create an Extra Hour Every Day
How to Find More Time For Yourself
27 Productivity Killers: Why Nothing Ever Gets Done!
So, what are you going to do with your extra day?
