Are you struggling to find the time to get things done?
For some reason, your to-do list keeps growing yet the time you have to get things done is somehow going down.
Wondering what gives?
I’ve found 5 issues that could be to blame and that’s exactly what I’m diving into today.
I’ll show you where your time could be going and how to get it back.
I also created this free resource to help you get started:
To start, you can’t make this first mistake, which I talked about a few weeks ago in this guide:
#1: You’re Running on Autopilot
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase failing to plan is planning to fail before yet most of us are doing just the opposite.
While work, school, or social commitments are on the calendar and set in stone, the ones for yourself are usually pushed off and tossed to the side any chance you get.
Do this for long enough and you’ll find yourself running on autopilot.
When this happens, the days, weeks, months, and years blend together and suddenly you wake up one day trying to figure out why you haven’t made any progress and you’re somehow in the same position each time, as I touched on in this guide.
Just like you plan outer obligations and stick to them, you need to start doing the same for yourself.
Stop running on autopilot and start scheduling the things that will make you feel better (my vote is to schedule and stick to exercising) and don’t let excuses get in the way.
One of the biggest issues also happens to be another reason why you’re short on time:
#2: You Spend Too Much Time Watching TV or On Social Media (Without Realizing It)
TV and social media are not like they used to be.
Now, they’re far more addicting.
TV shows blend together right into the next one to the point that you may not even realize you’ve just been sucked into 2-3 hours of straight TV.
And social media is an endless loop that, as this TED talk pointed out, is like a slot machine lever where you just want to pull it multiple times per day, and throughout the day to see what you’ll get next.
The sad part is that people are paid a small fortune to keep sucking users into both TV and social media.
And, just like with healthy eating, it’s up to you to make the right decisions.
At first, it takes consistent discipline. But over time it gets easier, as with anything.
When you start limiting your time in both categories, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll find.
To do this, you need to figure out where you stand.
Map out a typical week of TV shows on a piece of paper.
Then, fill out your favorite shows, plus how long the episodes are, and then add the total up.
How many hours are you at?
Now, tracking your social media usage is a little tougher and requires even more honesty.
This time, find a free time tracking app and stick to tracking the next 7 days.
Be as detailed as possible and categorize things so you know what’s really eating away at your time.
I know this may sound extreme at first but it’s the best way to see what needs to be adjusted.
If you can’t stick to a full week, try to do at least 1-3 days to get a semi-complete picture.
Do this and I’m sure you’ll be amazed by how much time is going to both social media and TV.
And once you do see the reality, you can start cutting back so that you’ll have more time for the things that give you pleasure and don’t make you feel tired, lazy, or less than after doing them.
You have to make time or, otherwise, you won’t have time to do the things you actually want to do.
I’ve also found that this next issue can help you do just that (make more time).
#3: You Don’t Focus on One Task at Time
Let me ask: are you the king or queen of multitasking?
Do you thrive on doing 5-10 things at once?
If so, I’d love to meet you since only 2% of the population can successfully multitask.
For the rest of the 98%, you’re doing a huge disservice to your mental capacity and time by trying to multitask.
Since neither activity has your full attention, it can take you at least twice as long to complete the task than necessary.
Not only that, those shiny objects that capture your attention also suck up at least 23 minutes of your time.
So it will take you at least that long to get back into focus.
Imagine how many times you multitask each day and think about how much time you’re wasting trying to get back into focus.
I urge you to stop multitasking and only do one task at a time. Don’t move on to another task until the first one is done.
This will take practice but I promise it’s worth it.
Your brain won’t have to juggle as much sensory input at once which means you’ll be able to think clearer and make more decisive decisions.
You’ll also become more efficient with time management.
If you know it takes you 15 minutes to get ready for work, you can leave that much time each day.
But instead, if you’re getting ready, making breakfast, and setting up your lunch for the day, the 1-2 hours you have to get ready all blends into one hurried mess.
Don’t do this.
And this next reason can help you break the habit.
#4: You Don’t Watch the Clock
With smartphones in hand 24/7, most people aren’t using a watch like they used to.
Sure, if you’re into fashion you may rock a watch but if you’re not wearing one everyday, you’re setting yourself up to lose track of time.
Here’s why: if you’re relying on your phone to tell you the time, you’re putting yourself at risk for that shiny object syndrome I just mentioned.
With each click of the phone, you risk seeing a notification or other distraction that could (and most likely will) pull you away.
So every time you look at your phone, which is between 35 to 50 times per day, you’re upping your distraction chances and potentially sacrificing dozens of minutes each day.
Instead of relying on your phone for the time, get in the habit of wearing a watch, and keep an eye on it.
As you get ready, on your commute, how long you spend watching TV, it all should be monitored.
Again, this sounds like a total pain in the ass at first but it’s the only way you’re going to be able to find the time to do the things you want to do.
You’ve got to cut somewhere and by wearing a watch and tracking your time, you’ll know which areas need trimming.
And you also can’t make this next mistake:
#5: You’re Letting Excuses Get in the Way
Don’t have the time to workout?
Or don’t want to make the time to workout?
As I touched on in this article, when you use the word “can’t” it really translates to “don’t want to” as in, it’s just not enough of a priority for you.
The problem is that your hesitations could just really be excuses in disguise.
With regards to today’s topic, are you letting excuses get in the way of why you don’t have time to do sh!t?
If so, you’re going to find yourself in the same position year after year and there’s no New Year’s Resolution that could change this mentality.
It’s time for you to get rid of excuses and make the time to things done. No one is going to do it for you.
And if you need my help, I’m only an email away (devan@behappynothangry.com).
Stop Saying You Don’t Have Time and Make It
As you saw today, the issue isn’t that you don’t have time, it’s that you’re wasting it away on other less-important areas.
Multitasking and not watching the clock could also be preventing you from having enough time.
Keep making these mistakes and it’s no wonder you’re stuck in the same place each year.
On the flipside, you can do just the opposite and you’ll start finding extra time you didn’t know you had.
Use this free resource to do just that:
Sending you the gift of finding more time today,
Devan