“Whatever you’re doing right now is the best use of your time, according to you.” – Sahil Lavingia

 

Time is a limited resource, and it may feel like there’s never enough of it. Many people tend to use phrases like “I don’t have time” or “if only I had more time…” to justify not getting things done. However, these are often just excuses. As someone who runs runs a marketing agency, manages multiple restaurant and a part time content creator, I have no option but to prioritize time management. Over the years, I have learned many methods that helped me manage my time effectively, and in this article I’ll share the ones that worked for me. 

I don’t want to talk about basic methods that we already know like limiting distractions, taking breaks, delegating & prioritizing tasks (even though it’s imp) so I broke down what I had to say in 2 categories: 

 

Mindset Stuff

Realize that your time belongs to you. Recognize that you have power over how you spend your time and that you can. Making something a priority and refusing to accept justifications are necessary if you want to see results.

Use the “Hell Yeah or No” mentality. This simple mental model, coined by Derek Sivers, helps you make better decisions. If an opportunity makes you say “Hell Yeah, I want to do that!” then go for it. If your response is anything below that, including “Maybe… I have to think about it,” then you should let it go.

Say “no” more often. Learning to say no is a skill that can save you a lot of time and stress.

 

 

Action Stuff

Choose a daily highlight. Basically pick one / max 2 specific task that you want to accomplish today. This technique works because it saves you from an overly long to-do list and analysis paralysis.

🗑️ Memory Dump. Our brains are for having ideas, not for holding them. Having a way to store tasks and ideas is crucial. Use apps like Notes or Keep to categorize notes where you dump your ideas that you won’t be needing anytime soon and dump urgent tasks to your to-do-list. 

📆 Time blocking. Whenever you have a task that requires deep attention, put a time block in your calendar just for that thing. This also requires you to maintain a calendar. 

In conclusion, time is precious, and we need to manage it effectively. By using these time management tips, you can make the most of your time and achieve your goals. Remember that you own your time, and it’s up to you to make the most of it.