In the quest to get more time many service-based small business owners find themselves inadvertently adding more to their already packed schedules.
It’s a common misconception that more tasks equal higher productivity. However, this approach often leads to an overwhelming sense of stress and an unsustainable work-life balance. To genuinely be successful with time it’s crucial to focus on efficiency by eliminating the unnecessary and being strategic about how you allocate your time.
What to do? Start by subtracting. Research from the University of Virginia revealed that we are naturally inclined to add rather than subtract, unless prompted to think otherwise. So, here’s a challenge to help you “get your time back”: try removing just one thing from your routine and observe the difference it makes. Here are five steps to help you get started:
1. Eliminate Distractions.
To “get your time back,” begin by reducing interruptions. Turn off notifications and focus solely on the task at hand. By doing this, you not only “get your time back” but also enhance the quality of your work.
2. Audit Your schedule.
Write down how you spend your day. This simple act can bring clarity and help you identify areas where you can either delegate, eliminate or make some changes to your schedule.
3. Pinpoint Areas to Subtract
Focus on one area – be it at home, at work, or in your social life. Whether it’s decluttering your workspace, streamlining work processes, or cutting back on social media, each subtraction is a step towards reclaiming your time.
At Home
Subtract possessions. I’m not talking about your closets or drawers, although they’re an option. I’m talking about your space that you work and live in daily. Look at what is in your eyesight and can be put away, donated, sold.
What can be removed? Can your desk benefit from a little decluttering? Clearing up your work area helps remove distractions and creating anxiousness when working. Is your desk cluttered? What is one thing that you can eliminate today.
Is there a room you spend most of your time in? What is one thing that you can take out from there to give you more space?
At Work
Look at your work processes. Is there a step that is redundant that can be eliminated and improved by it? Having defined systems and processes can help you be more efficient.
What is one thing you can delegate that you don’t have to do? Or is there an application or software you can use to help with one (or two!) tasks you do weekly? Eliminate it from your task list.
Socially
Review how much time you spend on social media/TV/emails. Can you reduce the time you spend scrolling, reading emails and watching TV. How much can you cut back on TV, social media scrolling?
Are you overcommitting to social gatherings, meetings during the week? Are there several meetings or events that you are attending weekly or monthly that take up time and drain you of energy to do anything afterward? It is easy to overcommit to several things when we can limit or cut back on one or two.
4. Monitor Your Progress
Keep track of the time you have saved and make any adjustments as needed. For example, if you eliminated a step in one of your processes at work, how much time did you spend and are the results the same or better? Keeping track of your progress will help keep you motivated to stay consistent and not fall back to the old habit of adding steps.
5. Use Your Time Wisely
Once you have more time its important to learn to use it intentionally. Whether it’s for self-care, family, or a passion project, make sure it aligns with your priorities.
The benefits once you are more intentional with your time:
- You become aware of what are the better options/decisions to choose. If its not important, there is no time for it.
- Saying No becomes easier as you choose how to spend your extra time differently
- It opens the door to new opportunities, relationships and interests. The time you lacked before is now available for you to decide how you want to use it. At that point it is okay to add what is missing- and use that time for the important stuff!
Do you need more time for self-care or family? Is there a passion project you had always wanted to start but hadn’t had the time to?
Making time for what matters by subtracting what doesn’t help create the work/life balance and harmony we seek.
What will you subtract if you’re taking the challenge?
Need more support? Contact me today and schedule a call so we can see if you are a good candidate for the Private 1:1 Coaching program.
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