生活百科高效利用时间的8个小诀窍

【听力文本】

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（学会拒绝）
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（给自己定个计划）
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（有组织）
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（学会委托给他人）
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（一次购买很多东西储备）
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（减少使用电脑的时间）
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（学会放松）
Relax and put your feet up – you’ve earned it!

【词汇讲解】

1.backbone n. 脊椎，志气

如：The backbone is an articulate structure. 
脊椎骨是一种关节相连的结构。

He has no backbone. 
他没有骨气。

2.chunk n. 厚块（片）, 相当大的量，矮胖的人或物

如：The giant shovel is biting off big chunks from the hill. 
巨型铲土机正在把小山头一大口一大口地啃掉。

I've completed a fair chunk of my article. 
我已经把文章的一大部分写完了。

3.outfit n. 用具，配备，机构

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

She was prancing along in her new outfit. 
她穿著全套新衣服神气活现地走著。

4.compulsively adv. 强迫地