Have you ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in a day? You’re not alone! Many leaders struggle with the crushing demands of our overscheduled lives. From trying to cram more work into an already full plate to juggling childcare and family issues to fitting in social activities, it’s no wonder that 24 hours doesn’t seem nearly enough, and it’s hard to know when (or how) we can take back time for ourselves. But here’s the truth: getting ahead of this frenetic lifestyle without sacrificing your health or sanity is possible! With some simple productivity hacks and techniques, you can feel empowered as you regain control of your days and put yourself on a path toward success. Let me show you five powerful ways to jumpstart your journey by turning up the “time-savings” dial – yeah, productivity on steroids! Here are five ways to regain control of your daily schedule and ensure “I don’t have time” is no longer an excuse.
Prioritize
Prioritizing tasks by creating an achievable to-do list that works with your schedule is a start. Set daily goals and stick to them. However, how do you know what tasks to prioritize? Follow the iLead Prioritization Framework to set priority to your to-do list. Some tasks are more important than others, so prioritize items with a big bang-for-value mindset and consider deadlines. Most importantly, learn to be flexible as priorities shift, even when you have your list organized.
Technology
Creating efficiencies by using digital tools to complete manual tasks is a proven way to take back time professionally and personally. Some studies have reported increased employee productivity when software applications are used at work. Collaborative tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, etc., are a good place to start. Most of these tools are available in whatever format you’re comfortable with on a smartphone or laptop and easily accessible; however, the key is to remain disciplined in order not to go down the rabbit holes of distraction when you’re always ‘on’ in this digital age we live in. Grab a free copy of the iLead Productivity Toolkit for productivity resources to help you take back time today.
Track Time
Theophratus, a student of Plato and later Aristotle, is credited with the saying, “Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” There is a truth to this quote, as we can’t control time or put a pause on it in any way. We all have the same 24 hours, and using them to accomplish our daily goals is in our best interest. Why can some accomplish so much in a day and others can’t? It comes down to how we spend our waking moments. The more disciplined we are in managing and prioritizing our to-do tasks, the more productive we’ll be.
- Use a time tracker app to understand where you’re spending your time and how to manage it better (use a tool like RescueTime to track your time and improve your efficiency)
- Close all apps not in use when focused on a task.
- Put mobile phones and tablets in do-not-disturb mode to eliminate distractions.
- Do not multi-task because any perceived gain diminishes over time
- Stick to a set daily schedule
- Time box work being done with reasonable time limits, e.g., 15 minutes or 30 minutes.
- Know when to delegate to others to handle tasks that demand extra attention.
- Know when to say no to tasks.
- Prioritize tasks by creating an achievable to-do list that works with your schedule.
Stand Up
According to research, standing not only aids in burning calories and fighting obesity but also boosts adult productivity. It has been shown to help improve students’ attention and cognitive functioning. Research showed a 46% increase in workplace productivity using standing desks. Standing is shown to serve a dual purpose health and productivity wise. Some smartwatches can be programmed to remind you to stand up if a standing desk is not an option.
Block Distractions
Block distractions like the endless and mindless social media scroll to decrease screen time use. Social media can create increased anxiety, so do yourself a favor and take a break for a couple of hours a day, a week, or a month. However, ensure you’re not binge-browsing trying to catch up when you get back on, which defeats the purpose. Take back time by staying focused on tasks by practicing time blocking. If you don’t feel disciplined enough to use your computer, phone, or tablet, go old-fashioned and use pen and paper to create your to-do lists or brainstorm sessions.
Avoid continued social interactions during working hours. Studies have also shown that solitary workers may be faster workers as individuals given a specific task are slowed when watching someone perform a different task nearby, suggesting that workers may perform better in isolation.
The key to success is making the best use of your time! With these five steps, you can make significant progress in controlling your schedule and freeing yourself from feeling like there are not enough hours in the day. Start taking back control of your life and reclaiming valuable moments for yourself – small moves will lead to giant leaps! Developing simple habits is a powerful way to live with more intention, balance, and harmony. Approach each day like an artist – with subtle last-minute tweaks, you can create a masterpiece. Taking advantage of every second by investing in meaningful activities sets the tone for rewarding experiences.
Now it’s time for you to join this mission and begin true transformation – be brave, push through any challenges ahead, and unleash a world of opportunities for yourself without delay! So, what are you waiting for? Let us know what other methods you have to take advantage of every minute! Leave your comments below; we’d love to hear from you.
