This week, I want you to take a good, long look at how you’re spending your time. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t like to get more accomplished. In fact, I’ve never in my life heard anyone say, “I am being way too productive these days. I really need to slow down and waste some time. I’m getting too much done.”
So I want us all to take a look at how we are spending our days and see if we can figure out a few ways to get more done. You know, we all have 24 hours in a day. So the concept of “time management” is really a myth. You cannot manage time, we’re all given the same amount. But you can manage how you spend that time.
Are you making the most of your days? Is most of your time spent getting you closer to where you want to be? If not, what can you do about it? I want you to spend some time this week trying to develop some better habits.
I don’t know about you, but I love to fill up my days with busy work, things like e-mail and social media. I feel like I’m doing something productive, but then I’ll realize I’m 2 hours into my day and I haven’t even gotten started on what I really need to be working on.
At the end of every week, do you look back and wonder where the days went? Are you any closer to your goals? If not, it might be time for a change.
Here are 4 strategies that I have found useful:
Having specific, time-sensitive goals and reviewing them often. If you don’t know what you should be spending your time on, it’s going to be hard for you to spend it wisely. Get clear about where you’re going and make a plan to get there.
Break large goals down into small tasks. Long-term goals that can’t be accomplished in one day can be overwhelming, so take a look at the big picture and figure out the first step towards it. Do that first.
Severely reduce, or eliminate, time wasters. How many times a day do you look at your phone? I guarantee it’s WAY more than you think. I saw a study done in 2015 that said the average person checks their phone more than 100 times a day and touches it as many as 2000 times a day. This equates to ⅓ of the time you’re awake. Now I don’t think I check my phone 100 times a day; I’ve never taken the time to count. But I do know I look at it more than I really need to. Sometimes I have to put my phone in another room so that I can get some real work done. Often I’ll leave it in the car when I go out to eat so I’m not tempted to check it throughout the meal. It forces me to actually interact with the people I’m with and to look around and enjoy the experience. You know, talk and observe, like we did in the old days.
Schedule blocking. This strategy is basically blocking out time to work on a task or project uninterrupted. I’ve heard many successful people talk about this and how it’s helped them be more productive. Make an appointment with yourself, put it on your calendar, and stick to it. Eliminate all distractions and focus. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done.
So now it’s your turn. What strategies have you employed that have helped you be more productive? Let the IMPACTfull community learn from you.
On the flip side, what are some of your biggest time wasters? I would love to hear from you. What are you struggling with? Maybe our community can help you.
As you go throughout your week, pay attention to how you are spending your time and look for ways to become more productive.
It’s time to start making an impact; it’s time to start leading a Full Life.