Mindless tv watching (even in the background) wasted a lot of my time. I’m far more selective now and try to only catch Sunday Morning now. I gained sooo much time this way. Even if I spend that time dreaming, reading or napping, it’s more life than tv watching.
There’s another hack I think ppl call “let them.” Instead of road rage and trying to be first to get home two seconds earlier, let them go ahead. This way no one lives rent free in your head. I’m certain this has changed my life for the good. We can only control ourselves, why let the actions of others be your concern?
#1 and #5 are the big struggles for me. I work in a large but overstretched organisation where we’re forever expected to do more with less and staff are spread over timezones. Over the years it’s become almost exceptional to take an actual lunch break rather than eating at your desk while answering emails or sitting through back to back calls. But a couple of months ago, I took the “radical” step of blocking out a 30 minute lunch break on my calendar (contractually we’re entitled to 60) to stop colleagues scheduling me in calls across the entire middle of my day. That little step has made a big difference to my mental health, though it’s not always respected and I’m still required to sometimes dial into meetings over lunch. It’s a sad indictment of the modern work world that scheduling in two shorter breaks as well feels like a pipe dream!
The freedom to manage my own time is a big motivation for me to try and move into entrepreneurship. Yes, starting a business can take all the hours in the day too, but with 100% responsibility I’ll also have the freedom to choose how I organise my day to work best for me instead of others having control of my time. Onwards and upwards!
Oooh, #7 is a big one for me. I have a huge case of should-itis. Once I say I’m going to do something I really don’t want to do, it’s like this weight that gets heavier each time I push it back another week on my calendar. On the flip-side, I also have a lot of resistance/procrastination when it comes to building my business. I’ll redesign my blog template and go through Canva to source images all day long - but actually complete the thing or (gulp) ask someone to BUY the thing…
Fortunately I’m not a TV watcher, so I can’t use that as an excuse for not getting g the important things done (reading; however, is a whole nother thing…
I found all of these very helpful and I try to follow most of them. The mornings are my most productive time of the day, after I've had 7 or 8 hours of sleep. TV is a bad habbit and my escape from my creative time, which sounds wierd. Escape why, not sure, lack of confidence in my talents? So I'm going to be trying something new, we'll see. Anyway thankyou for making me think.
This idea of escaping from your lack of confidence in your talents is huge. I think this is why I want to procrastinate, because I'm scared I'm not good enough (even if I'm not sharing the creative thing with anyone, it still would hurt to admit it to myself).
So this is just to say, I see you and feel you, and I don't believe it for you or me honestly. ;)
Great list. I decided a few months ago that some kind of physical exercise was my #1 priority each day and tried doing it first thing. But then I found I could only keep it up by waking up early and sleeping less so I switched to making sure it's the thing I do right before eating lunch. It's become a solid habit ever since!
I sleep 8-10 hours a day and I feel the same. Fortunately, I noticed two things.
1) People who sleep less than 6 hours are usually not well rested. They just compensate with coffee and energy drinks. Most are so used to their state of being tired that they don't even notice it anymore. They have no idea how much more focussed and energized they could feel, if they slept more constantly.
2) As I am well-rested, I do more in my waking hours in less time than the people that sleep less. I used to think that the others were as focused and productive as I am with my time. That is not true. They spend their additional time, scrolling on their phones and watching series. Not my thing. They don't use their time advantage.
That's how I found peace with my need of sleeping so much. My life quality is much better.
I really wish I could get a solid 8+ hours reliably. My problem is I've always struggled with falling asleep and it can often take hours, eating into my sleep time. Having tried lots of different tips/strategies, I've found peace with just getting to bed at least 8 hours before wakeup time and not worrying about what happens after that (usually 6 hours of sleep or so).
I guess the key is everyone is different and people shouldn't compare themselves to others or feel guilty about what works best for them. If you're able to get 8-10 hours reliably and it improves your life quality, never let anyone tell you early wake-ups are more productive!
Paying attention to what makes me happy is what bought me to Substack ✍🏻 I’m very excited about the future here and love reading inspiring pieces of work like this - thank you 💖
I really enjoyed this! It was an easy read and I have taken away quite a few tips. Most importantly it highlighted a few things I could tweak to allow me to feel like I have more time!
I am already finding that focusing on 2 main tasks earlier in the day works for me. The watching TV bit is more of a challenge however since I write about it on my Substack! 😂
As someone who also needs a solid 8 hours of sleep, I really appreciate that none of these tips include waking up at 5am! x
I need 9-10!
Mindless tv watching (even in the background) wasted a lot of my time. I’m far more selective now and try to only catch Sunday Morning now. I gained sooo much time this way. Even if I spend that time dreaming, reading or napping, it’s more life than tv watching.
There’s another hack I think ppl call “let them.” Instead of road rage and trying to be first to get home two seconds earlier, let them go ahead. This way no one lives rent free in your head. I’m certain this has changed my life for the good. We can only control ourselves, why let the actions of others be your concern?
I like "not having to get up an hour earlier each day" as my favorite. I've always HATED that advice. No thank you.
#1 and #5 are the big struggles for me. I work in a large but overstretched organisation where we’re forever expected to do more with less and staff are spread over timezones. Over the years it’s become almost exceptional to take an actual lunch break rather than eating at your desk while answering emails or sitting through back to back calls. But a couple of months ago, I took the “radical” step of blocking out a 30 minute lunch break on my calendar (contractually we’re entitled to 60) to stop colleagues scheduling me in calls across the entire middle of my day. That little step has made a big difference to my mental health, though it’s not always respected and I’m still required to sometimes dial into meetings over lunch. It’s a sad indictment of the modern work world that scheduling in two shorter breaks as well feels like a pipe dream!
The freedom to manage my own time is a big motivation for me to try and move into entrepreneurship. Yes, starting a business can take all the hours in the day too, but with 100% responsibility I’ll also have the freedom to choose how I organise my day to work best for me instead of others having control of my time. Onwards and upwards!
Oooh, #7 is a big one for me. I have a huge case of should-itis. Once I say I’m going to do something I really don’t want to do, it’s like this weight that gets heavier each time I push it back another week on my calendar. On the flip-side, I also have a lot of resistance/procrastination when it comes to building my business. I’ll redesign my blog template and go through Canva to source images all day long - but actually complete the thing or (gulp) ask someone to BUY the thing…
Fortunately I’m not a TV watcher, so I can’t use that as an excuse for not getting g the important things done (reading; however, is a whole nother thing…
I found all of these very helpful and I try to follow most of them. The mornings are my most productive time of the day, after I've had 7 or 8 hours of sleep. TV is a bad habbit and my escape from my creative time, which sounds wierd. Escape why, not sure, lack of confidence in my talents? So I'm going to be trying something new, we'll see. Anyway thankyou for making me think.
This idea of escaping from your lack of confidence in your talents is huge. I think this is why I want to procrastinate, because I'm scared I'm not good enough (even if I'm not sharing the creative thing with anyone, it still would hurt to admit it to myself).
So this is just to say, I see you and feel you, and I don't believe it for you or me honestly. ;)
Great list. I decided a few months ago that some kind of physical exercise was my #1 priority each day and tried doing it first thing. But then I found I could only keep it up by waking up early and sleeping less so I switched to making sure it's the thing I do right before eating lunch. It's become a solid habit ever since!
I sleep 8-10 hours a day and I feel the same. Fortunately, I noticed two things.
1) People who sleep less than 6 hours are usually not well rested. They just compensate with coffee and energy drinks. Most are so used to their state of being tired that they don't even notice it anymore. They have no idea how much more focussed and energized they could feel, if they slept more constantly.
2) As I am well-rested, I do more in my waking hours in less time than the people that sleep less. I used to think that the others were as focused and productive as I am with my time. That is not true. They spend their additional time, scrolling on their phones and watching series. Not my thing. They don't use their time advantage.
That's how I found peace with my need of sleeping so much. My life quality is much better.
I really wish I could get a solid 8+ hours reliably. My problem is I've always struggled with falling asleep and it can often take hours, eating into my sleep time. Having tried lots of different tips/strategies, I've found peace with just getting to bed at least 8 hours before wakeup time and not worrying about what happens after that (usually 6 hours of sleep or so).
I guess the key is everyone is different and people shouldn't compare themselves to others or feel guilty about what works best for them. If you're able to get 8-10 hours reliably and it improves your life quality, never let anyone tell you early wake-ups are more productive!
I think you are on a good way. You are doing the right thing by letting go the pressure of falling asleep immediately. :)
Paying attention to what makes me happy is what bought me to Substack ✍🏻 I’m very excited about the future here and love reading inspiring pieces of work like this - thank you 💖
Brilliant! Thank you… tomorrow is already looking more productive!!
I really enjoyed this! It was an easy read and I have taken away quite a few tips. Most importantly it highlighted a few things I could tweak to allow me to feel like I have more time!
Hey Chris.
Thanx for this.
I got so fed up with people saying, "you want to get stuff done? Get up at 4 or 5am and get ahead of the day".
Well, here, this, this is stuff I can relate to.
Me? I can work with this better.
None of that, "crack of dawn" slavery....
I walk at 445am almost every day, only coz I want to score a win early and also to give the neurons uptop, enough time to get their lab coats on...
I love ALL of these!!!
I get up at 5: am every day so I HATE it when someone tells me the answer is to get up earlier! LOL
I do need to flip my MIP's to the morning tho, when I am most alert!
Great advice on all 8 too!!! Thanks Chris!!
I am already finding that focusing on 2 main tasks earlier in the day works for me. The watching TV bit is more of a challenge however since I write about it on my Substack! 😂
i think as a nature lover i approve this so much
Shining-yoku! (Forest bathing). For recharging yourself, time in nature is time well spent.
EDIT: Shinrin-yoku.
Thank you for great suggestions for creating more meaningful time to spend on things we really enjoy ⭐️