6 Ways to Wring Extra Time From Your Day

Arriving early to work has the added benefit of quiet. During the early hours of each day, you are still fresh with the energy to get as much done as possible. Arriving early will allow you to spend a full hour uninterrupted before others arrive. You can also get a good jump on the important tasks you have for the day.

Another option, carpooling, will allow you to shave time off the commute by driving in faster lanes. It will also allow you to get some extra reading or other work done on the days that you aren't the driver. In a similar way, the bus or other mass transit may save you time even if it takes a bit longer.

If a good portion of your job is done in front of a computer, you should ask your boss if you can telecommute. While this won't be possible every day, it could work for a day or two each week, which would cut the full commute time out those days. Telecommuting is becoming more common, so it doesn't hurt to ask.

2. Television

TV can be a huge time waster, costing both time and money. If the average American quit watching, he or she would gain four hours a day. Most people, however, won't be willing to quit TV altogether. Restricting yourself to an hour or two maximum each day will still free up a couple of hours to do other things.