How Do I Use The Time I Have Effectively?

Below are four tips on how to use your time effectively that I have learned from various influencers and public figures. I have altered some of these tips slightly and have explained why in the paragraphs below.

1. Take Inventory of Your Time

This is an important first step because it will allow you to have a better understanding of how and when you are wasting your time. I read this tip in David Goggins book Can’t Hurt Me. Goggins recommends making two lists each breaking down your day into 30-minute increments. Take one list and write down how you would like to spend each 30 minute interval. Then, use the other list to write down how you actually spent your time. This is a great exercise in order to help you to visualize how much time you actually spend being productive and how much time you waste. It can reveal pockets of time you are wasting scrolling, watching videos, hanging out at the bar, etc. I prefer only keeping a list that tracks how you’re actually spending your time because I don’t think writing a detailed to-do list is very productive. Which leads me into my next tip.

2. Focus on 3 - 5 Tasks Per Day

This may seem counterintuitive, but I find narrowing your focus down to 3 to 5 priorities each day can help you stay productive. I learned this technique from YouTuber Vanessa Lau. In one of her videos, she mentioned that when she would pack her to-do list with a ton of tasks she would rarely finish all of them which made her feel burnt out and unproductive. Narrowing down your to-do list forces you to acknowledge what your biggest priorities are and helps you avoid wasting time on less crucial tasks. You also allow yourself more time to work on each task. Our work may require more time than we may anticipate. It’s in your best interest to give yourself time to fully complete each task rather than feel stressed out about moving on to the next item on your to-do list. It also gives you space for anything unexpected that may come up. Plus, if you do end up getting through all of the items on your to-do list quickly you can always add more.

3. The Pomodoro Technique

This technique is known as the Pomodoro Technique. I recently have heard this tip mentioned a number of times but I think I first heard about it in a YouTube video by Shelby Church. This is a technique where you spend a short period of time, usually 25 minutes, laser focused on one project. This is an excellent strategy for overcoming distractions. I’ve been using this technique when I sit down to write and I find it to be very helpful. One, I know exactly how much time I am spending on each task. Two, it helps me avoid checking my phone or social media notifications while I’m working because I have set aside time later on to check those things. I prefer setting a timer for 15 minutes and breaking up my work into four separate chunks totalling one hour. This technique also helps with big tasks that may feel overwhelming because you can break down a big project into smaller and smaller pieces you can chip away at for 15 minutes. This makes completing a big project feel easier and will push you to do one of the hardest parts of working towards a goal, getting started.

4. Effective Multitasking

This is more of a general observation I have heard Joe Rogan mention in regards to why podcasts are so popular. Ironically, this is in some ways the antithesis of the Pomodoro Technique. One caveat to this tip is, it can’t be applied to every task you wish to complete. This strategy is primarily effective when you’re blending a physical task with a mental task. For example, listening to an audiobook while you jog or drive to work. That is one way to complete two tasks at once. Recently, I’ve been wanting to spend around 15 to 20 minutes stretching in the splits position against my wall. It’s often a painful practice and since it’s primarily a physical task rather than a mental one, I usually want to be distracted while I’m doing it. It occurred to me the other day that I could do this stretching exercise while leaving meaningful comments on Instagram posts. This is an excellent way to accomplish two goals because they both take around 15 to 20 minutes and they don’t distract from each other in an unproductive way. I recommend you take inventory of your goals and find ways you can combine physical and mental tasks.

I hope you find these tips helpful! Let me know if you try them and which one you like the most!