Introduction

How do you ensure you're focusing on what matters most? We all want more hours to sleep less and spend more time with our loved ones. But unfortunately, there aren't enough hours in a day - and it's not realistic or healthy to try to squeeze more out of each hour! Instead, learn how to automate tasks (so they happen without your input) and eliminate those things that take up too much of your limited time. And then use these tips to create a strategic plan for using your newfound "extra" hours wisely:

Automate

Set up a calendar:

• Set up an online calendar shared with your partner and/or family so everyone can see what’s going on for the next few weeks. This will help keep you from double-booking or forgetting about appointments.

• Schedule regular family dinners or get-togethers, so you know when there are free evenings to spend together.

Set up reminders:

• Use services like IFTTT to set up automatic notifications for social media posts, blog updates, etc., so you don’t miss anything important in your inbox (or notifications tab).

Set up task lists and to-do lists: These are great for saving time and staying organized, especially when working on multiple projects. You can create a list of tasks that need to be done every day, week, or month and prioritize them by urgency, importance, etc. When all your tasks are written down in one place, focusing on what needs to be done now is easier.

Eliminate

When you're busy, taking on tasks that aren't priorities is easy. It can seem like a good idea at the time. “I'll just do this one more thing,” you say. But then another task comes along, and then another - and before long, all these little things add up and create more work than necessary.

A quick tip: The best way to avoid this trap is to eliminate those tasks. Don't waste your time doing things that don't matter, aren't necessary, fun, or suitable for you! If something isn't a priority right now, plan for it for a later time and stop worrying about it, as it takes mental energy from the tasks at hand,

Create a Plan

Once you've completed the first step, creating a plan takes time. You can use pen and paper or an app like Trello or Asana to keep track of your plans. Whatever method you choose, ensure it works for you and allows for flexibility as life happens.

The next thing to do is prioritize your list by using this guide:

• What are my goals?

• Where do I want to be in five years?

• What will it take me from here (this month)?

• When do I need this done?

• Which tasks fit with these goals?

• Which tasks don't fit with those goals?

• How can I link those tasks together to support each other and move me towards achieving my goals?

• How much time should I spend on each task each day/week/month/year so that I'll live my dream life when everything is said and done at the end of five years?

Don't Be Afraid To Do Nothing

Don’t be afraid to do nothing.

Don’t be afraid to take a break.

Don’t be afraid to say no and mean it.

Don't be afraid to relax, even when you don't feel like it – rest is important for your health and productivity! If your body needs a break from work, listen to it! Go outside and walk around the block or sit on the couch with your feet up for 20 minutes (or more). You'll find that taking these kinds of breaks throughout the day makes you more productive in the long run because they give you time away from distractions so that when it's time for real work again, all guns are firing on all cylinders!

Don't be afraid to take a nap. Don't be afraid to take a holiday. Don't feel guilty about it. In the modern era, all these count as laziness and uselessness. However, recharging and resting are equally important as your active time. Take sports as an example. Especially freediving. After the demanding practice sessions to dive deep into the water, the body must rest and recharge to avoid problems.

You can always create more time in your day

So, how do you make the most of your time?

The first step is to identify the biggest time-wasters in your life. Remember, the goal is not to fully fill your day and add more. Quite the opposite: eliminate unnecessary tasks or reorder tasks to save time and context switches. The next step is to eliminate or automate those tasks that aren't necessary and then focus on what's most important.

Automate your social media updates, for example. If you're on many different platforms, this will help save time by automatically posting updates to those accounts. If you only scroll down infinitely every time you touch your phone, disable the notifications and limit the time you can spend on these apps. Your phone has features that can automate it for you. You can even time frame your phone time. For example, you check your personal emails or social media at a given time of the day for a limited period. Half an hour before lunch and half an hour before dinner. Make it a routine and use discipline to keep them.

You can create a daily plan that includes only what you need to do and then stick with it. Limit the daily to-dos to three or four items each for work and personal life. If there's anything left over at the end of your workday, try scheduling it in advance so you don't forget about it! This will help increase productivity levels and ensure everything gets done.

Conclusion

It’s important to note that we live in a world where there are endless possibilities for how you can spend your time. You may need more time to get things done, but starting with automation and elimination will make it much easier to focus on what matters most. Automating by building habits helps you free up mental energy as you don’t need to switch contexts so frequently, and you will know what comes next. For example, maybe taking a break from work is something that would make sense for you right now because it will help reduce stress levels and allow some fresh ideas into your brain so that when it comes time again to work on those tasks which seem impossible at first glance, they'll be easier.