Need More Time in Your Day? Stop Doing These 6 Things Now
Do you ever find yourself wondering, “Why aren’t there more hours in the day?” Time is one of your most precious resources. Once spent, you cannot get it back... And yet, there are several things you likely do without even realizing how much time they suck from your day.
If you want to add more time back into your day, stop doing these six things:
1. Stop scrolling. A friend sends you a video on social media. You watch it… followed by the next one that pops up, and then the next one. Or, you go to an online media source for specific information, but then you end up skimming article after article.
When you start scrolling, the minutes quickly add up. Without even realizing it, you’ve wasted a good chunk of the day. Before picking up your phone or opening that web browser, remind yourself what your intentions are for doing so. Identify a reasonable window of time to accomplish this specific task and set a timer if necessary.
2. Stop letting other people’s needs derail your day. Your phone dings throughout the day: A loved one with a story to tell you, that friend sending you a video, a client asking for a recommendation. Of course you want to get to all of these requests — and you will.
Each time your flow is interrupted, you lose time trying to find where you left off and regaining the focus you had. Instead, silence electronic notifications while working. This reduces the interruptions and the temptation to address the needs of others. Perhaps even save these interruptions for certain times throughout your day where you are available and can ensure you remain on task and finish higher priority items first.
Did you know you can adjust your phone settings to only allow notifications from specific people — your children, their schools, your boss, etc.? It is a great way to concentrate without worrying you’re missing something important.
3. Stop ignoring the things that are most effective. Take inventory of the specific products/services, marketing tactics, and business strategies that achieve the highest productivity, make you the most money, or generate the most leads. Spend additional time — maybe two to three hours per week — on this “low hanging fruit.” Devoting more time to what works for you will naturally save you time overall.
4. Stop overcommitting yourself. I’ve already written a good deal on this topic because it’s such an important one. If you feel like there aren’t enough hours in your day, then you’re likely saying yes too often.
It’s OK to say no, and it’s important to release any guilt in doing so. Check out my Seven Tips For Saying No that you can implement next time you’re asked to do something you don’t want — or have the time — to do.
5. Stop multitasking. It sounds like doing multiple things at once would save you time, and that might be true on occasion. Oftentimes, multitasking can lead to easy distractions, more mistakes, longer time spent on tasks, and poor quality results. Taking it one thing at a time can be a more reliable and efficient way to work — both in the office and at home.
Stay tuned for an upcoming article dedicated to this topic of multitasking vs. single tasking.
6. Stop doing everything yourself. Many business owners have this idea that they have to do it all themselves, especially when they are just starting their business. There are solutions to this that can make things easier. One of them is delegating to others, which can be challenging and still ultimately rewarding. It’s often a work in progress as you navigate what, when, and how to delegate.
Professionally, you can also consider hiring a freelancer, outside company, or intern to lighten your workload — whether it’s blog writing, media relations, website development, accounting, data entry, or another area of your business.
From a personal perspective, accept help from people who offer it, and don’t be afraid to ask for it yourself when needed. If you prefer, another idea is to outsource personal tasks like cleaning, lawn care, home organization, meal prep, or even shopping.
It’s important to remember that some things don’t need to be 100% perfect in order to be acceptable. Seeking outside assistance might mean that a task can still be accomplished even if it’s not completed exactly how you would do it — and there is value in that discovery!
Your time is precious — so treat it that way! There are many subtle shifts that can be made throughout your day to free up more of this valuable resource.
What are some ways you add more time back to your day? I’d love to know!
Could you use some expert guidance in strategizing and prioritizing how you spend your time to get the best result in a short amount of time?
Maureen Considine is Founder and CEO of Finding Your Way Coaching. A Master Coach with expertise in Income Acceleration, Business Development, Sales and Mindset, she is the Wealth Health Creation Strategist for entrepreneurs, executives, and other high performers. Maureen has over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing. She has helped hundreds of clients grow their businesses and reach their true potential using her unique, intuitive, and holistic approach. Maureen has a B.A. in Psychology, with training in mindset and the Psychology of Sales.
