Truth be told, the headline to this post is a little misleading, we can’t actually create more hours in our days but these fixes will make us feel like that’s exactly what we have done.
1) Get comfortable saying no
2) Say no more often
Following on from no 1, once we’re comfortable saying no, we should get used to saying no to more. The requests on our time and invites we want to say yes to should be immediately obvious. If we have to think too long on our answer maybe we should be saying no instead.
3) Reduce your To Do list all the way down to 1 or 2 things for the day
Doesn’t sound like much but better to have less on the list that stands a good chance of getting done rather than a whole lot that just overwhelms us.
4) Make space in your diary
Back to back appointments are out – create some breaks and buffers in your day. Enjoy the white space.
5) Stop making the “I’m so busy” excuse
Are you really busy with things that matter or are you just busy being busy?
6) Less Meetings
Most are poorly run and real time (and sometimes soul) suckers. Do your best to avoid them and only attend those meetings that give you most value and that you can contribute to.
7) Stop Trying to Do It All
8) Make an appointment with you
Diary time for you for a hobby, passion project or just for a walk to contemplate life.
9) Less busywork
Not all work is equal. Some work is pretty meaningless and of little value. We do it out of habit or social conditioning. Recognise this busywork for what it is and do your best to avoid it.
10) 80/20 your day
Prioritise the big rocks and get rid of the noise.
11) Less social media and aimless surfing
Is anyone really likely to wish they had spent more time online when coming to the end of their lives contemplating how they have spent their days?
12) Breathe deep
Most of us breathe too shallow so learning how to breathe correctly may make us feel so much more energised and also better able to deal with what the day may throw our way.
13) Get Out of the Blocks
Stop procrastinating – take action or don’t then move on to whatever’s next.
14) Reduce Choices
The paradox of our time is that we are presented with so many choices we have trouble making any choice at all at times. Get around this modern disease by setting some parameters and purposefully limiting choices
15) Turn instant alerts off (email etc) and switch your phone to silent occasionally
16) Batch repetitive tasks
17) Get some perspective
If you have a roof over your head and know exactly where your next meal’s coming from you are so much better off than many in the world. Sobering thought and one to help keep things in perspective.
18) Stop trying to sprint all the way
19) Check email less
20) Unplug completely from the electronic world occasionally
We are plugged in more than ever, make time to disconnect occasionally.
Carl writes short books full of big ideas. He is also the proud owner of Frictionless Living which is focused on helping readers find and live their own version of a simpler, good life.