2) Every other week, take the time to do something that simplifies your life. Convert one of your bills to online pay. Clean out your closet so you can get dressed easier in the morning. Unsubscribe to an e-mail alert that's clogging your inbox. Straighten up your desk, so you can find what you need. These tasks take time, but they save time in the long run.

3) Do a digital de-clutter. Of course, your life is crammed with e-mails, texts, pings, beeps and tweets. Force yourself to disconnect. Life isn't going to end if you miss an e-mail, update or tweet. Instead, write a letter, visit a friend, cook a meal or play with your kids

4) Slow down and do one thing at a time. Everybody multi-tasks, but you don't always need to. It can be counterproductive when it comes to getting the most out of life. Instead try focusing on the task at hand and completing it the best you can.

5) Increase the time you spend with you. Have you ever sat down and thought about how much of your life isn't really yours? Seriously. Most of us could and do fill every waking moment with things we need to handle that have very little to do with the things we enjoy. Carving out just one hour a day, a paltry 7 hours in a week of 168 hours seems to be an arduous task for many. But it shouldn't.

Linda Villarosa is a regular contributor to The Root.

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