生活百科高效利用時間的8個小訣竅

【聽力文本】

Has it been ages since you were able to take a nap, read a book, or simply catch your breath? Finding “me” time isn’t easy, but it can be done.

You Will Need

Some backbone
A day planner
Self-discipline
Some time to organize yourself

Step 1: Learn to say No（學會拒絕）
Let’s face it: We all have friends we’ve outgrown and favors we do for lack of backbone. Learn when to put your needs before others.

Step 2: Make appointments with yourself（給自己定個計劃）
When you’re planning your week or month, block chunks of free time for yourself, then honor them as you would a business meeting or a date with a loved one.

Step 3: Get organized（有組織）
Get yourself organized both at home (clean your closets, take care of mail as it comes) and at work (clean off your desk, create a filing system) so you don’t waste time looking for things.

Studies show we wear 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time, so getting rid of the excess will make selecting an outfit much faster.

Step 4: Start delegating（學會委托給他人）
See what tasks you can slough off on others – junior employees at work, your spouse, kids if you have them. If you can afford a housekeeper a few times a month, do it.

Step 5: Buy in bulk（一次購買很多東西儲備）
Cut down on trips to the store by buying as much as you can in bulk. Invest in a second fridge or a stand-alone freezer if you have the room.

When you do shop, go at off-peak times, like the early morning, after the lunch hour rush, and shortly before the store closes, and group your errands by location.

Step 6: Cut down on computer use（減少使用電腦的時間）
Checking your email compulsively and surfing the web can eat up enormous amounts of time. Check your work email at a few set times during the day, and leave your home computer off except when you have a specific task to accomplish.

Step 7: Streamline errands（分清主次）
Put an end to writing and mailing checks by paying all your bills online. If your health plan allows it, get your prescriptions by mail.

Step 8: Relax（學會放松）
Relax and put your feet up – you’ve earned it!

【詞匯講解】

1.backbone n. 脊椎，志氣

如：The backbone is an articulate structure. 
脊椎骨是一種關節(jié)相連的結(jié)構(gòu)。

He has no backbone. 
他沒有骨氣。

2.chunk n. 厚塊（片）, 相當大的量，矮胖的人或物

如：The giant shovel is biting off big chunks from the hill. 
巨型鏟土機正在把小山頭一大口一大口地啃掉。

I've completed a fair chunk of my article. 
我已經(jīng)把文章的一大部分寫完了。

3.outfit n. 用具，配備，機構(gòu)

如：I'd like a job with your outfit. 
我想到您的單位原著份活干。

She was prancing along in her new outfit. 
她穿著全套新衣服神氣活現(xiàn)地走著。

4.compulsively adv. 強迫地