Proven Time Hacks to Reclaim Your Day
Why does it feel like there’s never enough time? As a business owner, I know firsthand that mastering your schedule can mean the difference between success and burnout. In this post, I’m sharing 5 of my go-to methods to supercharge productivity and knock-out your to-do list.
By the end, you’ll know how to conduct a time audit, set clear priorities, and implement time-blocking to maximize your workday—all based on the methods that have helped me run my business effectively. Let’s get started.
1. Recognize the Power of a Schedule:
Creating a schedule can sometimes feel like you’re putting yourself in a box—where’s the freedom in that? But here’s the trick: if you can learn to view it as a pro instead of a con, a well-structured schedule can become the key to your time freedom. It allows you to take control of your time, instead of letting time slip through your fingers. You’ll feel less frazzled and more accomplished when your day has structure. Plus, you’ll finally stop feeling like you’re spinning your wheels.
Take a cue from established businesses and implement a schedule. These schedules exist for a reason—they help ensure progress and productivity. While creating your monthly, weekly, or even daily schedule, it's important to embrace the flexibility of being your own boss, but also remember that creating and following a schedule is crucial to making the most of your time.
2. Time Audit: Know Where Your Time Goes
Feeling overwhelmed? Start by auditing your time. Get granular and record your every move for at least three days. This will give you a clear picture of how you're spending your time and highlight where you can make changes.
Whether you use an app, pen and paper, or a spreadsheet, track your activities to the minute.
For example:
6:00 AM - 7:05 AM: Exercising
7:05 AM - 8:03 AM: Getting kids ready for school
8:03 AM - 8:20 AM: Driving to the office
8:20 AM - 9:00 AM: Answering emails
This detailed tracking will reveal where your time goes and highlight areas where you can cut back or repurpose time. You’ll quickly notice patterns, such as spending too much time on social media or idly waiting in the car. Instead of losing time, look for opportunities to make those moments productive.
Action Step: Track your time for the next three days and look for patterns where time is being wasted.
Here is a list of some of my favorite time tracking apps:
3. Define Your Priorities:
Once you've done your time audit, it's time to get clear on your priorities. What are the non-negotiables in your business and personal life? How much time are you willing to dedicate to each area?
Ask yourself:
What does my business require of me?
What does my family require of me?
What do I require of myself?
What do my friends and other commitments require?
Once you’ve outlined these demands, decide what portion of your time you’re willing to give to each. Remember, time is a limited resource - spend it wisely.
4. Repurpose Time Wisely
Let's face it, not all tasks are fun, but some are very necessary to keep life moving more smoothly. Why not make that to-do list more enjoyable? Pair your mundane tasks with something enjoyable like an audiobook or podcast. It's all about mindset.
For instance, if you spend an hour on house or yard work, use that time to catch up on industry news or learn something new. This reframes the task from a chore to an opportunity for growth, making the time spent both more enjoyable and productive.
5. Time Blocking: My Secret Weapon
Time blocking is a secret weapon in your journey to better time management. Start by figuring out how many waking hours you have in a day, then allocate specific time blocks for each activity based on your priorities. This way, you're in control of your time, not the other way around.
"In my business, I use time blocking to ensure I’m focused on the most important tasks. For instance, I dedicate mornings to client work because that’s when I’m most productive. Afternoons are for more creative work, like content creation, when I can unwind a little. This structure allows me to stay focused without feeling overwhelmed."
Block out Sleep: Mark the hours you need for sleep so you are only working with waking hours.
Identify Key Activities: List the essential activities for your business and personal life.
Assign Time Blocks: Allocate time for each activity, ensuring there’s balance and no overlap.
For example:
6:00 AM - 7:00 AM: Exercise
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast and family time
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Invoicing and administrative tasks
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Client work
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch break
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Marketing and content creation
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Meetings and follow-ups
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Family time and dinner
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Relaxation or personal projects
Adjust your schedule as needed to find the right balance, ensuring you’re spending your time on activities that align with your goals.
Reflect and Adjust
Block out time to reflect on how you're doing. Regular reflection allows you to make necessary adjustments and keep moving in the right direction.
Are you spending your time wisely?
Are you achieving your goals?
What tweaks can you make to improve?
Mastering time management isn’t about finding more hours in the day; it’s about taking control of the time you already have. Take the first step today by conducting a time audit. Track your time for the next three days, then use the insights you gain to start making small, impactful changes. Remember, if you don’t decide how to spend your time, someone else will decide for you. Make today the day that you grab the reins and start making your time work for you.