I have a friend, Jamie, who has no social life. Not because she doesn’t have the time, but because she jams her days with so much hustle and bustle that when evening rolls around, she’s exhausted. She’s stuck in the running wheel of life’s worn-out routine and has no energy left for dating. I think she likes it this way because it minimizes her risk of being disappointed or hurt by the opposite sex.

I have another friend, Charlotte, who is the queen of hustle. She reminds me of one of those Cirque de Soleil jugglers who can manage ten different things at once, all while balancing a stack of plates on the nose. Unlike Jamie, Charlotte can go on six sales appointments, run her dog to the vet, meet her ex-boss for lunch, hit the gym and still be ready to party the night away. In short, fun doesn’t necessarily have to come first in her life, but it definitely can be worked in there somewhere.

Where Charlotte gets her energy or motivation is anyone’s guess — even she can’t explain it. But we’ve come up with a few ideas for those who want to be a little more like her:

1. Treat your body right.
   It may sound like just one more thing to add to your day, but I’ve found that when I eat right and exercise, I have tons of energy and can do more. Not to mention, I look great and feel great, so it inspires me to get out.

    

2. Plan ahead.
   If shy away from spontaneity, commit to one weekend night per week for socializing — whether with friends or a date — and plan for it at the beginning of the week. Allow a weeknight for dating too. Want to make it even easier? Post a free profile and let Match.com do all the work for you. You can use a quick search to locate quality singles in your area and spend your evenings talking to people you know interest you, rather than hoping to find someone at random clubs and bars.

    

3. Evaluate your life.
   Does your schedule not only interfere with your dating life but with other recreational activities as well? If so, give your calendar a good hard look and cut out those commitments that aren’t quite as important as you thought. You may even consider changing jobs or careers to put the brakes on your hectic schedule. Many people find that freelancing or telecommuting affords them the opportunity to have more time to themselves.

So, be a Charlotte. Rearrange your priorities and put dating somewhere near the top of your list. You don’t want to waste another second being separated from the love of your life.

Search for local singles today at Match.com!

Susan Hayden, Match.com