“I don’t have enough time in the day to get it all done!”
I’ve heard this one over and over from many of my clients. But you know what I say back? I offer them this profound quote from H. Jackson Brown Jr:
“Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”
And I just love how that response stops them in their tracks!
Step up your game
I get that you are busy. I get you feel like there never seems to be enough time in the day to achieve all you want. I used to feel this way too. In fact, I clearly remember whining to one of my own coaches about the very same thing. But he had ZERO empathy for me. He knocked sense into me by highlighting the fact that everyone has the same 24 hours so stop complaining and step up. It was a real sucker punch but one I needed to help me learn to manage my time better.
It’s all about working smarter (not longer or harder)
If you want to get more done in your day, you need to work smarter by prioritizing, and yes, delegating! Here’s how:
1. Plan ahead
Get yourself organized by planning your days in advance and calendar all you need to do. If it’s there on paper (or on computer or phone!), you’ll never waste time thinking ‘oh geez, what else do I have do today?’. You’ll feel calmer which will help you clearly focus on the tasks you need to do.
2. Be a realist
When you’re calendaring your tasks, be realistic about how much time each will take. Allow yourself a bit of extra time around each one as a cushion too.
3. Prioritize
Make a list of your top three most important tasks for each day. Commit to getting those done. And realize that sometimes it’s ok for some things to fall off the list if they just aren’t that important.
4. Get in the zone
As you do each task, focus on NOTHING else. Shut your door, ignore your emails, don’t take any calls. This goes for social interactions too. Ask yourself (and be honest!), how much time do you spending scrolling through FB or Instagram or gossiping on the phone? If you track your time, you’d be surprised how much is taken up with these things. Instead, use your social time as a reward after your task is done.
5. Just say no!
Taking on too much can be overwhelming. You don’t need to say yes to everything. It is ok to say no. Instead, learn to say yes to yourself first! If there is something that you just can’t do or is going cause you too much stress, don’t do it. Only take on tasks you really care about. Stop saying yes when you really want to say no (we’re all guilty of that one!).
6. Set boundaries
Are there people in your life or at work that are draining your time and energy? If so, distance yourself and protect your space by setting boundaries.
7. Delegate
Delegating is amazing (not so sure, read my post below!). Ask for help to give yourself back some time.
8. Re-energize
Schedule some time in your day to sit quietly and breathe, even if it is just for a few minutes. You might think it’s a waste of time but studies have shown that taking breaks throughout the day helps you stay focused and be more productive.
I hope you've enjoyed these tips to help you worker smarter. Hopefully they’ll help you feel like you have more than 24 hours in your day!
If you know someone who needs more “time” in their day, please feel free to share! They will thank you for it!