9 time management cheat codes that'll save you hundreds of hours of your life:
1. Single-tasking
Multitasking on things that actually require focus has been proven bullshit.
At best, you can be a fast task-switcher.
Do a good job on one thing, or a shitty job on many.
Your choice.
Multitasking on things that actually require focus has been proven bullshit.
At best, you can be a fast task-switcher.
Do a good job on one thing, or a shitty job on many.
Your choice.
2. Plan your day the night before
Planning out your tasks the night before means you can grip it and rip it as soon as you wake.
Use that morning momentum on needle-moving tasks.
Not on writing to-do lists.
Planning out your tasks the night before means you can grip it and rip it as soon as you wake.
Use that morning momentum on needle-moving tasks.
Not on writing to-do lists.
3. Automate decisions
30 seconds doesn't sound like much.
But over an 80-year lifespan.
—30 seconds per day adds up to 243 hours.
Small decisions add up.
Automate.
30 seconds doesn't sound like much.
But over an 80-year lifespan.
—30 seconds per day adds up to 243 hours.
Small decisions add up.
Automate.
4. Eliminate distractions
*insert random statistic about how often people are distracted*
But really—it's a huge problem.
If you can reduce distraction by even 50% you're way ahead of the curve.
*insert random statistic about how often people are distracted*
But really—it's a huge problem.
If you can reduce distraction by even 50% you're way ahead of the curve.
5. Set time limits
Parkinson's Law:
"Work will expand to fill the time allotted for its completion."
Remember when you finished that final paper in one night before the deadline?
That's Parkinson's Law in effect.
Basically, give yourself less time to do tasks.
Parkinson's Law:
"Work will expand to fill the time allotted for its completion."
Remember when you finished that final paper in one night before the deadline?
That's Parkinson's Law in effect.
Basically, give yourself less time to do tasks.
6. If it takes less than 2 minutes—do it now
These micro-tasks weigh on our brain.
That email you need to send.
That text you should reply to.
Clear out any tasks that take less than 2 minutes immediately.
These micro-tasks weigh on our brain.
That email you need to send.
That text you should reply to.
Clear out any tasks that take less than 2 minutes immediately.
7. Take short breaks
Burnout comes when we know we should take a break, but we push on anyway.
Rest is PRODUCTIVE.
Take short breaks in between focused bursts of work.
You'll stay fresh.
And your work will remain at a high level.
Burnout comes when we know we should take a break, but we push on anyway.
Rest is PRODUCTIVE.
Take short breaks in between focused bursts of work.
You'll stay fresh.
And your work will remain at a high level.
8. Make a not-to-do list
Make a list of things you DON'T do.
Stick to it.
This could include:
- No email after 8PM
- No scrolling in the morning
- No pointless coffee meetings
Find the areas you're losing the most time.
Remove as many as you can.
Make a list of things you DON'T do.
Stick to it.
This could include:
- No email after 8PM
- No scrolling in the morning
- No pointless coffee meetings
Find the areas you're losing the most time.
Remove as many as you can.
9. Make "no" your default
This sounds savage.
But if time is our most precious resource, shouldn't we be ruthless with how we use it?
I like Derek Sivers' "Hell Yeah or No" rule.
If it's not a "hell yeah", it's a "no".
Simple as that.
This sounds savage.
But if time is our most precious resource, shouldn't we be ruthless with how we use it?
I like Derek Sivers' "Hell Yeah or No" rule.
If it's not a "hell yeah", it's a "no".
Simple as that.
That's a wrap!
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colbynewsletter.ck.page
BONUS:
FREE kick-ass habit tracker upon sign up.
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