For the past few weeks, I’ve been trying something new – turning off my mind and tuning in to the present. Regularly. And this simple practice has truly changed my life.

I stumbled upon Eckhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now, completely by accident. A friend had recommended another one of his books, A New Earth. But when the library didn’t have it on the shelf, I grabbed The Power of Now on a whim. Later, I did pick up the other book, and I’m not sure which one I enjoyed more. They both did more for my life in a couple of short weeks than any single book I’ve ever read.

Before I had children, I probably spent most of my time “in my head.” I just didn’t realize it. I mean, it didn’t affect my life all that much. When you’re alone in your car or at your desk or on a run, the voice in your head is kind of nice company. Quite frankly, I think that I spent a lot of time talking to myself. And it wasn’t really an issue.

But once I added two small children to my days and nights, that voice in my head became problematic. Most new moms experience increased worry and anxiety. Well, those emotions become an unhealthy habit if you’re constantly yelling, “FIRE!!!” and running for the exit door — which doesn’t exist, so you just continue running around in circles in your mind with the panic button still  on.

I was feeding myself all kinds of horror stories all day long … what might harm my child, or me, or their father, what I needed to do next, what I hadn’t done yet, etc. It wasn’t all negative thinking. But Echkart Tolle’s book just made me realize how much time I was spending THINKING instead of BEING.

And what he said, which had never actually occurred to me before, is that I have control over these thoughts! I can make that internal voice stop by focusing for a few moments on my breath and my surroundings. And then, voila! I’m present in the moment.

What’s really great is that I don’t have to DO anything different, like meditate for 20 minutes every day or do yoga. I’m sure those things would help, but it’s as simple as recognizing “the voice” for what it is — the imagination on overdrive — and just turning it off.

It’s amazing how much peace I’ve found in my life now that I’m not always interrupting myself with unnecessary thinking.

I would like to put in a petition for a 30-hour day. I truly believe that six extra hours per day would enable me to get everything done that I need to accomplish … and I might even have time to sit and read a book, or do something else relaxing. Yes, six more hours would be just great.

I know that there are some people out there who have managed to find these additional few hours without having to actually slow down the earth’s rotation. These amazing individuals can get 4-5 hours of sleep each night and still be safe behind a wheel.

Alas, I am not one of these people. I would definitely be considered a public hazard, if I were to regularly skimp on half of my daily sleep requirement.

I feel like I’m already cutting every corner to manufacture extra minutes in the day. Here are some of my time-creating tactics that might work for you, too (although you’re probably already doing half of them):

Eat and drink on the run.

Morning coffee is rarely sipped from a mug, but more often slugged from a silver thermos. And just today, I found myself eating a leftover bagel in the front seat of the car after my 3-year-old daughter reached out from her car-seat and said, “here, Mommy.”

Shower every other day.

I figure that saves me some time, too. It’s summer – I’m just going to get dirty again, anyway. And a friend of mine has a really clean pond. It’s the perfect natural bath.

Stop folding and putting away laundry.

This activity is just far too time consuming. My kids have now started fishing their clothes out of the laundry basket. They’re much easier to get to than if they were in a drawer, anyway.

Lose the brush.

I honestly don’t know where ours is. It has been missing for months. No, really, I’m serious. I cut my hair recently under the guise of fashion. But it was really because I don’t have time to brush.

Stop making the bed.

This one doesn’t even require an explanation. It makes perfect sense.

And finally, let the clutter collect.

I find that it’s much easier to locate what I’m looking for if it all stays out in the open. You tuck something neatly away in a drawer or cabinet, and you’ll never find it (on purpose) again.

There you go. Follow these suggestions, and you’ll create at least 2-3 NEW hours for yourself every day.