Time is unique—everyone gets the same 24 hours, from billionaires to students. Much of it is already committed: About 8 hours for sleep and personal hygiene (one-third of your day), another 8 for traditional work, leaving roughly 4 hours on either side for leisure or socialising on weekdays. Weekends offer more flexibility, but family and other obligations often fill them.
It's a constant balancing act.
From observing successful people, here's what stands out:
They carve out time for strategic thinking and decision making, avoiding packed schedules like 8-hour meeting marathons. They demand efficiency, favoring 15-or-30 minute meetings over defaults of an hour—and always assess how much time they truly need.
Key strategies for time management
Here are practical tips to take control of your time:
- Use a centralised calendar: Track everything in one place to avoid missing appointments or overlaps.
- Allocate dedicated blocks for personal projects: If working outside regular hours, schedule consistent time daily and communicate boundaries to loved ones—guard it fiercely, as progress requires commitment.
- Leverage technology: Use apps for travel times, location reminders, and smartphone usage monitoring to optimise efficiency.
- Scrutinise invitations: Review every meeting request—if it's not essential, politely decline. If needed, they'll follow up.
- Prepare the night before: Check your schedule evening prior to start the day ready.
- Opt for smart alarms: Use voice activated clocks for easy shut off without fumbling.
- Minimise unnecessary travel: Suggest online meetings when possible, explaining time savings—most won't mind.
- Batch similar tasks: Group emails or calls together for focused, efficient completion.
- Handle quick tasks immediately: If an email request takes under 2 minutes, do it now to show responsiveness and clear minor clutter.
- Plan weekly on sundays: Review the upcoming week, set priorities, block deep work time, and align with goals—hit the ground running Monday.
- Work in focused bursts: Use techniques like 25-minute sessions followed by short breaks; after four, take a longer one—ideal for complex tasks.
- Delegate effectively: Pass non-essential work to the right person, especially lengthy or tedious items.
- Say no strategically: Decline tasks misaligned with your or the organisation's goals—politely explain conflicts, leaving room for negotiation.
- Limit notifications: Restrict phone alerts to essentials only—constant interruptions lead to burnout.
- Protect focused time: If interrupted during deep work, politely defer and follow up later.
- Build buffers: End meetings at :55 to allow transition time.
- Schedule by energy levels: Place demanding tasks (e.g., stakeholder meetings) during peak times like 10 AM, not late afternoons.
- Reflect daily: End each day reviewing accomplishments and unfinished items to refine tomorrow's approach.
- Aim for one key win daily: Ensure at least one highly productive achievement.
- Require agendas: Never set or attend meetings without one—it's inefficient otherwise.
Conclusion
Your time is valuable
Successful people excel by mastering their time—make it a priority.
Get started.