Frugality x time
Time is a finite resource ... simple tricks to get more done (and have more fun!)
We all have the same 24 hours in a day, yet some people seem to accomplish ten times what we do. The secret? They're frugal with their time, squeezing every drop of productivity out of each precious minute. Here are some time-saving hacks (listed in my personal order) that'll make you feel like a productivity ninja, without sacrificing your sanity:
1/ Protect Your Time Ferociously:
Learn to say no: Don't be afraid to politely decline commitments that don't align with your priorities. Or plan them next week if there are not urgent but important. Your time is valuable – respect it!
Schedule "buffer zones" between meetings: This prevents back-to-back commitments and creates breathing room for unexpected situations. Btw, people assume that a call lasts one hour. Why don’t you go instead for 15-30 minutes calls? It forces all of you to keep your focus on essentials.
Turn off notifications: I am on Do not disturb mode for hours (mandatory during the night and optionally during the day). Constant pings and dings are productivity killers. Schedule dedicated times to check emails and social media, minimizing distractions during focused work periods.
2/ Invest in Yourself – It Saves Time in the Long Run:
Plan your week: Dedicate a specific time each week to plan your schedule and goals. Apply it also for each day, in the evening before. This provides clarity and minimizes decision fatigue throughout the week.
Learn a productivity system: Explore time management apps (I am testing now Toggl Track) and techniques like the Pomodoro (work in focused 25-minute intervals) or the Eisenhower Decision Matrix (prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance with tasks segmented in Do / Decide / Delegate / Delete).
Prioritize sleep and exercise: Feeling well-rested and energized allows you to accomplish more in less time. One the most recent Huberman Lab podcast episodes is about How to structure your Sleep, Use Naps & Time Caffeine (very useful insights from Dr Matt Walker).
3/ Batch Similar Tasks:
Emails: Schedule dedicated "email response" times. This prevents constant checking and context switching, allowing you to power through replies in focused bursts.
Errands: Plan your errands strategically. Map out a route that minimizes backtracking, and combine errands whenever possible. I am a champion at this. I love long walking sessions so I include in my daily routine all the needed stops (food pick-ups from BonApp.eco, clothes alterations, kids pick-up from school etc).
Chores: I approach them in micro dosing sessions each day. I allocate 2 times a day 15 minutes for different house cleaning tasks. Is not perfect, but is the minimum I am willing to offer ;)
4/ Outsource Strategically:
Don't be afraid to delegate: Can someone in the family do the laundry? Or anything else? Freeing up this time allows you to focus on higher-value activities.
Barter your skills: Offer your expertise (cooking, editing, graphic design) in exchange for someone else's time-consuming tasks. I do this with my husband and is working. I help him with creative tasks & planning and he helps me in return with technical stuff.
EXTRA: Technology is your friend! In my case, the most time I save is by choosing home grocery delivery 3 times per week. I also utilize apps for scheduling, bill payments, or even auto-filling repetitive forms (I hate websites that don’t store card details for recurring orders).
Please share in a comment your time hacks, so we all could benefit! Thanks for reading the list.