Where Does the Time Really Go?

 

Where Does the Time Really Go? Here’s How Americans Spend Their Most Limited Resource…

 

Do you ever feel as though a day is just flying by, and that there’s never enough time to get to the things you really love? If you have lots of “must-do” items on your list, time management can be a tough discipline, and it’s easy to feel as though the day just isn’t long enough. Understanding how people like you spend their time can be a good place to start in getting the most out of your own day.

How do Americans Spend Their Time?

The American Time Use Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is a great place to start to find out more about how your peers are spending their time. This survey collects data on how much time Americans spend on common tasks, such as sleeping, working, relaxing, and engaging in household activities. The survey found that, on average, Americans spend 7.7 hours a day sleeping, 8.7 hours a day working, 1.0 hours eating and drinking, and 2.5 hours on leisure or sports related pursuits.

While this survey is a great way to get an overall picture of how Americans spend their time, it is important to note that it collects information from people 15 and up. Your teenager likely spends more time sleeping and less time working than the average adult. The survey also averages all days of the week, and doesn’t take into account (for example) that many people spend more hours working on Monday than on Saturday.

A time management survey conducted by shopping site Retale.com breaks common activities down by time, age, time of week, gender, and employment status. While some differences are obvious (an unemployed person spends much less time working than someone employed full time), others are a little more telling. For example, the average American is equally likely to be watching television at 8pm on a weekend as they are on a week day, while people aged 35 to 45 are more likely to stay late at work.

Do You Really Want to Be “Typical”?

There are many, many ways that you can choose to spend your time, but time management surveys show again and again that Americans use up most of their hours on the same few activities: sleeping, working, eating, taking care of the home, and watching TV. How do you stack up?

If you want to make the most of your own 24 hours, it can be helpful to have a clear picture of where your time is going. Tracking your time is a good way to start. Consider downloading a time tracking app, or simply use pen and paper to jot down what activities you’re doing on an hourly basis, as well as how much time you spend on each activity. After two weeks you’ll have a much better idea of where your time really goes.

Having a better understanding of your time gives you an opportunity to make space for priorities like exercise, healthy eating and proper rest—things that can help you approach the rest of your time with more energy and a better state of mind. For many people, this is an important key to making life more productive and more enjoyable!

Quality of Life is determined by countless daily, little life choices and lifestyle habits. Call or visit our office today to learn how we can help you!