Tips for squeezing in a few minutes for yourself.

I find the only way for me to stay focused and get some work done is to schedule it in my calendar, sometimes the more time I have the less I get done.

• Get up earlier.  I know that is probably the last thing you want to hear, but I find that I can't keep focused by staying up at night anymore, so I get up an hour and 15 minutes before my first client and it allows for ME time and of course coffee time without rushing right into the day.
• Give yourself a little break.  Some companies allow for smoking breaks, I am NOT advising you to take up smoking but you could take that same 5 minutes and go out for a walk.  It doesn't sound like much time but it's enough to give you a little pick you up to refocus and continue your day.
• Mark it in your calendar.  Create a 15 minute time slot to take your mind off your work.  If you have to set an alarm to remind you, then do so.  We know how quickly our day can change.
• Take time to do just one task.  Sometimes multitasking doesn't accomplish much.  I know I find myself checking emails, writing notes, wandering off to other sites on the computer and then forgetting that I didn't get to the emails.
• Consolidate your commute or travels to include as many stops in the same vicinity for the day.  I try to cover as much ground in less time and energy by not having to drive from one side of town to the other, but instead maybe going to one side today and then tomorrow do what needs to be done on the other.  That doesn't always work, but I do find it's getting easier to set up meetings in the same area or waiting till next week to go buy that one item that I would have to make a special trip for this week.
• Play music in the background if allowed.  I find I work faster and in a better mood. 
• I always listen to something uplifting or educational when I drive.  I do my best thinking while driving and I carry a voice recorder so I don't waste time trying to remember things later.
• Set up as much as you can the night before so you are not rushing in the morning.  Of course you have all probably been told to make your lunch and snacks the night before.  I also set my coffee up automatically, I wake up to the smell of coffee hmmm.

There are many little things you can do to take control of your day, pay attention and see how easy it can be to squeeze in a few minutes for YOU.