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With a simple change, I was able to run errands in less than half the time it usually took me. And the truth is I accidentally figured this one out.

You see, when I was running my own business I worked some wacky hours. I did a lot of work for companies overseas, and so sometimes I wouldn’t start working till 6:00 PM.

So, when was I supposed to shop, go to the bank, etc.? Well, one day I started grocery shopping at about 10:00 AM. And that’s when I started noticing something was amiss.

I noticed that hardly anyone was at the store. Whereas it used to take me at least an hour to get through the store, it now took me half an hour. Then I started running other errands at different times. Go to the bank at 2:00. Go out to eat at 11:00.

Heck, I was missing the lunch rush. Traffic was non-existent. It didn’t get any better.

Live Off-Peak

And that was the key right there. The key is to live your life off-peak. Do things at times other people aren’t doing things. Shopping and eating out are two things that can take up a lot of time. By doing those things off-peak you can save yourself A LOT of time.

“But I Have a Job. I have to do everything at a certain time”

Some people might be thinking this to themselves right now. And it is true. Having a job requires you to do things at certain times, like show up for work and leave at a certain time.

At the moment, I am working at a publishing company in South Korea. So, I understand this. However, I still live off-peak. How do I do it?

Here are a couple of ways you can shift your way of thnking (and that of your boss) to live more off-peak:

• Think in terms of hours worked, not a schedule

I work a set amount of hours. Why should it be 9-5? I go to the gym every day. Now, I could kill myself and fight with all the other people who go before work. But I go at 4:00 PM. NO ONE is there. My workout goes by quickly. I simply worked it out with my company that I take an hour break at 4:00 and I still work the same amount of hours. Just at different times.

This shift in thinking can also lead you to work some from home. I do that occasionally. And in that case no one can “count” your hours.

• Negotiate an off-peak schedule

Again, who said you have to work 9-5? How about 10-6? 11-7? You get my drift. Of course, the best option is to work remotely. But we all assume that we have to take the schedule we are given when the truth is many times the only thing a company cares about is that you get your work done.

These are a couple of things to think about. But if you want to increase your productivity and get your errands done in half the time, you should find more and more ways to live an off-peak lifestyle.

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3 Responses to “How to Get Errands Done in a Fraction of the Time”

1. sharon Says:
   August 25th, 2007 at 8:25 pm

   Hi Son,
   Did I not teach you anything. I lived my life off peak,because that’s the only way I could get things done, and still have time for you two boys. I always called it good planning.


2. Priscilla Palmer Says:
   August 26th, 2007 at 1:26 pm

   You have been tagged for The Personal Development List. (See my site for details), I would love for you to participate.


3. Carlon Haas Says:
   August 27th, 2007 at 3:59 am

   Thanks for tagging me. I have put your list on this blog. Thank you for creating such a great resource.

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