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How to Get Everything Done and Still Waste Time Like Crazy (5 Things You Can Do)

One hundred and sixty-eight hours … Sounds like a long time, right? Well, that's how many hours there are in a week (24 x 7) … Only it doesn't seem that way.

A week zips by and you realize on Sunday that you've got a project due at school. Your parents ask you how long you've known about the project, and the truth is you've had a week or more to do it. Have you ever been in this situation?

Well, here's how to get it all done and still have time to, well, waste.

  1. Keep a calendar … and a "to do" list that you update every day.
  2. Your parents probably keep a calendar where they write down your piano lessons, your sports events, and stuff like that. You should have a calendar too, where you write those things down plus your projects. Give a project a clear name and write it on the date in your calendar when it's due (not when it was assigned).

    Break those bigger projects down into chunks. (Read chapters 1-3, 4-6, 7-10, etc.) Assign yourself a chunk of a long-term project every day, if possible, starting as soon as you get the assignment.

    Your "to do" list should also include daily homework, chores, sports, music - everything that you have to do.

  3. Do the have-to stuff FIRST. Really. It works.
  4. This is the biggest thing. If you really do your work, your chores - your have-to stuff - first, instead of "taking a break" first, you'll be amazed how much time is left over for "taking a break" later.

    If you "take a break" first, you'll be amazed at how little time is left over for the stuff you have to do.

    Funny how that works!

  5. Learn how long it takes you to do different things.
  6. If one of your jobs is to take out the trash, time yourself doing it. Know how many pages you can read in a half-hour. (Remember, textbook pages usually have more words than are on a page of a regular paperback book, so you want to time yourself on different kinds of books.) How long does it take you to do a page of math? How long does it take you to write a page of a book report?

    When you know how long it takes you to do each kind of thing, your "to do" list can start having times attached to each thing on the list. This is really good when you're planning those daily "chunks" of longer-term projects.

  7. Get your room organized.
  8. This one is annoying because you hear about it from your parents all the time, probably. But it is true: When things are in the right place, it saves time. And that means more time for video games, TV, listening to music, or whatever you like to do to "waste" time.

    If your space is a mess, and you don't know how to get it straight, ask your parents for some help. They'll probably be glad to help you get organized.

    Then, follow one simple rule - whenever you get something out, put it back where you got it. Every time. No exceptions. Don't "take a break" first.

    This works like a charm!

  9. It's all about making life easier for yourself. Really believe that, and you'll beat the clock!
  10. Most kids hate making "to do" lists, keeping a calendar, and getting their room organized. Why? Because it reminds you of all the work and stuff you have to do.

    The secret is, having an organized room, a calendar, a "to do" list, and getting the stuff done first that you have to do, actually makes life easier. You get to a point where you don't have to think about it anymore. Stuff just seems to get done.

    If you don't believe it, just try all of this stuff for one month. That's only 24 x 7 x 4. If you really stick to it, you'll find you've got PLENTY of time left over in your 168 hours each week to relax and do the fun stuff.

Okay? One month, right? We'll check back with you then!

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