By Jeff Cohen, freelance writer (cohenwriting@aol.com)
We all know finding Mr. or Mrs. Right can be a time consuming process. You might have to go on a handful or even hundreds of dates before the right partner emerges. While online dating speeds up the process of finding prospects, you may still feel you’re too busy to invest the time in joining and actively participating in online dating.
But if you really think you’re too busy for online dating, think again. Here’s a list of ten ways you can find the time without significantly impacting your weekly schedule and routines.
1) Start with just one site
Before you pay for three or four sites to meet as many people as possible, choose just one, like America’s Internet Dating. You’ll get your feet wet, see how much time is required and then make a decision whether or not you can handle more memberships.
2) Forward emails
If you have multiple email addresses, forward the emails you get to the inbox you check the most frequently. This way, whenever you have downtime you can scan the emails you’ve received and stay on top of your inbox.
3) Cut back on phone time
If you have a habit of talking on the phone with friends and family after work, spend time surfing for dates before you pick up the phone. Prioritize online dating, then make the calls, you’ll probably have some great stories to tell when you then make those phone calls.
4) Set up short dates
If you go for dinner and a show on all your first dates, you may quickly burn out. Instead, go for a quick drink or coffee. You’ll know right away if there’s chemistry and can move on to the next person without wasting valuable time.
5) Let your close friends search too
If you have a friend you can really trust, let them scan for prospects on your behalf. Think of it like a screening process that will save you the time of searching all the “no-chance” prospects just to get to the good ones.
6) Don’t lead people on
In some ways you need to think of online dating like running a business, the business of finding a mate. If you know it’s not working with someone, either before you meet or after a first date, don’t lead them on. Be honest with the person and move-on to the next prospect.
7) Find an online dating buddy
If you were joining a gym, then a workout partner would be a great way to stay motivated. The same goes for online dating. Set some goals with your buddy to go on a certain number of dates or respond to a weekly quota of profiles.
8) Get up early twice per week
We all love the snooze button. But if you can wake up thirty minutes early just twice a week, you can use this new-found time to search for love online.
9) Search on your lunch break at work
If your company allows you to use the Internet for personal reasons then take advantage by picking up lunch instead of going out. While munching on your take-out sandwich, scan the database for interesting singles.
10) Search the database during your favorite TV show
If you can log in while watching Desperate Housewives or CSI, then you can make better use of your time. Casually scan the database during commercials or slow scenes and by the time the closing credits roll you’ll have landed your dates for the week.
Any one of the above ideas can create the time and space necessary to devote quality time to online dating. Now get out there and start surfing. Your mate is waiting.
Jeff Cohen is the author of the e-book, 30 Minute Guide to Online Dating. It's a must-read for anyone looking to master the art of online dating without wasting hours of valuable time. To learn more about the e-book and purchase a copy, please visit Online Dating eBook.
