Stop Wasting Time And Get More Done

How much time do you waste each day?

Do you feel like life’s too short?

Some people would say it’s long enough as long as you don’t waste too much time.

Either way, there’s no denying that many of us probably waste at least a couple of hours each day. Time that could be spent more productively.

Think about how much you could’ve accomplished the last ten years with just one better used hour each day.

That’s 3650 more hours you could have spent on something that matters to you.  

Time wasted

First, let’s define what we count as time “wasted.”

Is watching your favorite show wasted time? Maybe. Maybe not.  

What about driving 40 minutes each way to and from work every day, considering you could live a couple of minutes from work? If you lived in your dream home, then a long commute might not be time wasted at all. 

You have to decide how to define time well-spent. And it’s important is to review how you are spending your time and see how it stacks up.  

Here are some strategies to be sure you’re getting the most out of your time each day:

Screen Time

How much time is spent each day watching TV or playing on your phone? Is this something you really enjoy or are you doing it just to take up time?

Internet

How much time do you spend each day amusing yourself with all the distractions available on the internet? Mindlessly browsing news stories, watching funny videos or pinning things on Pinterest boards you’ll never look at again.  

Social media.

How much time do you spend checking on friends and family each day or posting your images to the world? Some say social media is only good for stalking and showing off. How is your time used on social media? Is it adding to the quality of your life or taking away from it?

Time waiting

Some people like to arrive at appointments more than 30 minutes early. That’s 30 minutes or more you could use doing something else. 

What about time you spend waiting in line? When could you run errands that you’re less likely to wait?

Studies show the average person spends about six months of her life waiting. This time waiting includes waiting for the train, bus, doctor, security in the airport, customer service, and traffic.

Use a time tracker

Some apps will measure the time you’re spending on your computer and phone.  How long do you really spend on Facebook or YouTube each day? A tracker will tell you precisely and allow you to adjust if you find you’re unknowingly wasting too much time.

How could you better spend your time?

You may spend a lot of time unproductively just out of habit. Most adults have daily routines they follow during the week and on weekends. Now is the time to examine your routines and see if you can develop a more productive routine your yourself.

You may find it more rewarding to learn to play an instrument instead of watching Netflix at night. Or you could learn to speak German instead of playing Candy Crush while waiting.

Review your goals

Do you make time each day doing something to move you closer to your goals and the life you desire?

Are your goals exciting enough to pull you out of your mundane time-wasting?

Figure out the most significant time wasters in your life and choose more effective ways for you to spend your time. 

It’s good to spend some time enjoying yourself, but be sure it’s on things you actually enjoy doing. Spend free time doing what you love rather than things that just take up time. Unless you’ve thought about it, you may not be enjoying your downtime as much as you could be. 

Everyone wastes time here and there, and that’s understandable and healthy to do. But it can get out of hand too. If you can define your priorities and set yourself goals that excite you, it’s possible to align your free time with things that matter.

No one should go through life just wasting time. Life is full of possibilities and opportunities. Think about the things that would make your life more fulfilling and enjoyable.

You’ll be glad you did!