How to maximise your time and accomplish more in less time
Have you ever felt like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done?
We’ve all been there—juggling work, family, chores, errands, appointments, and trying to carve out some time for yourself seems next to impossible sometimes.
But what if I told you there are simple changes you can make to be more productive each day and accomplish more with the time you do have?
It’s surprisingly easy, really, and I’m going to share my top tips and tricks for improving your productivity and getting more items crossed off your to-do list.
I won’t go into lots of detail in this story, but I’ll be sharing more in-depth stories soon…
Eliminate time wasters
One of the easiest ways to free up more time is to audit how you currently spend your days and cut out unnecessary time sinks.
We’ve all fallen into the habit of mindlessly scrolling through social media or watching TV when we could be using that time more productively.
Do an honest assessment of where your time goes each day and identify one or two areas you can reduce.
Even just trimming 15 minutes here and there each day adds up to hours over a week that you can redirect to more important tasks.
I’ll be writing about all of this in an upcoming story!
Get organised
Feeling like you’re in a constant state of disorganisation and chaos is a sure-fire way to kill your productivity.
Take some time to declutter your physical and digital spaces.
- Organise your paperwork, files, notes, and documents so they are easy to find when you need them.
- Create folders on your computer for different projects or types of documents.
- Clean and organise your home so you aren’t wasting time hunting for misplaced items.
An organised environment will help you stay focused and in flow.
I’ll be writing about all of this in an upcoming story!
Prioritise what’s important
It’s easy to fill your calendar and to-do list with things that may not actually be that important or urgent.
- Learn to distinguish between “nice to do” tasks and “must do” tasks.
- Focus your energy on a few vital things that really matter rather than trying to do it all.
- Saying no to less important requests will free up bandwidth for your top priorities.
Get clear on your goals and values so it’s easier to filter out distractions.
I’ll be writing about all of this in an upcoming story!
Break big tasks into small steps
That big report or project you’ve been procrastinating on is probably overwhelming when you look at the whole thing.
But you’ll feel much more motivated if you break it down into bite-sized pieces.
Take the time to outline the individual steps needed to complete the task and assign a timeframe for each part.
Crossing off small wins along the way releases dopamine in the brain and keeps you moving forward to completion.
I’ll be writing about all of this in an upcoming story!
Set a schedule
Without some structure and routine, it’s easy to waste the day in an unproductive fog.
- Plan out your days and weeks with a schedule.
- Block out times for specific tasks, meetings, exercise, meals—you name it.
- Treat your schedule like a to-do list and you’ll be amazed at how much more you can cross off.
- Leave some buffer time as well for flexibility or unexpected priorities that come up.
Having an overall plan and schedule will keep you accountable and on track.
Remove distractions
It’s nearly impossible to stay focused when distractions are just one click or notification away.
- Turn off alerts on your devices when you need to concentrate.
- Close extra browser tabs, turn on “do not disturb” mode, and remove anything from your workspace that could pull your attention elsewhere.
- Create boundaries between work and personal time by limiting non-work-related internet use during designated work hours.
Learn to say no
We’ve all been there—it’s the end of a long day and you’re exhausted, but someone asks you to take on one more task.
As helpful as you want to be, you have to accept that you can’t do it all, and it’s okay to decline sometimes.
Learn to discern what’s a true priority versus something nice to help with, and have the courage to turn down less important requests when you’re already at capacity.
Saying no will prevent burnout and allow you to focus energy on what really matters.
Practical productivity hacks to implement
Once you’ve identified areas to improve, it’s time to put strategies into action. Here are some practical productivity hacks you can start using today:
- Morning routine: Wake up 30 minutes earlier to plan your day, prepare meals/snacks, and exercise. This sets the tone for productivity.
- Pomodoro technique: Use a timer to work in 25-minute intervals with short breaks in between for maximum focus.
- Out of sight, out of mind: Store temptations like your phone in another room while working to avoid distractions.
- Standing desk: Stand while working part of the day for increased focus and energy levels.
- Check email twice daily: Resist constant email checking and only review inboxes at set times to stay on task.
- Paper calendar: In addition to your digital calendar, use a paper planner to visualise your schedule at a glance.
- Meal prep on Sundays: Cook large batches of healthy meals on the weekend to grab and go all week.
- Automate routine tasks: Use apps and tools to automatically pay bills, back up files, and more so you can spend time on higher priorities.
- Bullet journal: Use a bullet journal to track tasks, schedules, notes, and more in one organised analogue system.
- To-do list: Break up your day’s tasks into a morning, afternoon, and evening to-do list to stay focused on the present.
The key is finding simple strategies that fit your natural rhythms and sticking to them consistently. Productivity is a habit that improves with practise.
Productivity tips for specific situations
Not every day is the same, so having tactics tailored for different scenarios will keep you productive no matter what comes up. Here are some suggestions for specific situations:
Working from home
- Designate a dedicated work space away from distractions.
- Get dressed and ready, just like going into an office to get in work mode mentally.
- Use a webcam during virtual meetings to stay engaged visually, like in-person.
- Take short breaks to move around, make a hot beverage, or glance out the window to recharge.
Travelling for work
- Pack the night before and prepare any materials/documents you’ll need.
- Use downtime, like airport layovers or flights, productively to catch up on reports.
- Sync your calendar and to-do lists across devices for easy access anywhere.
Juggling multiple commitments
- Block time on your calendar specifically for each task to avoid multitasking.
- Prioritise what’s most urgent for today and delegate or delay less pressing things.
- Schedule buffer periods between meetings/calls to allow for transition time.
Feeling unmotivated or overwhelmed
- Start with small, achievable tasks to gain momentum instead of tackling the biggest task first.
- Stand up, get a drink of water, or do 5–10 squats to refocus your energy.
- Celebrate small wins along the way to keep yourself encouraged.
The key is having a plan but also being flexible enough to adjust tactics based on your specific circumstances each day.
Experiment to find what works best for your unique situations.
Final thoughts
Increasing your productivity doesn’t need to be overwhelming or difficult.
By making small adjustments like eliminating time wasters, setting clear priorities, getting organised, and learning to say no to less important tasks, you can accomplish more in less time.
Experiment with different hacks and strategies to see what works best for your unique lifestyle and situation.
Productivity is an ongoing journey that requires constant tweaking and improvement.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up some days—focus instead on consistent progress over perfection.
Implement changes gradually, and celebrate the little wins along the way.
With practise and patience, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can achieve each day while also making time for self-care and the important things outside of work.
Always remember to listen to your body and take breaks when needed to avoid burnout.
I hope you find some useful tips in this article to help maximise your productivity.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Remember to look out for more in-depth stories about these ideas coming soon!
Thanks for reading…
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