Time management—it’s the buzzword we hear all too often, especially in the fast-paced world of fitness and online entrepreneurship. With so many responsibilities, from running a business to maintaining a personal life, it often feels like there’s never enough time. But what if the problem isn’t time but how we manage it?
In this post, we’ll explore four actionable strategies to help you create more time and mental space. By implementing these tips, you can end the week feeling accomplished instead of overwhelmed. Let’s dive in.
1. Audit and Eliminate Draining Activities
One of the fastest ways to create more time is by cutting out activities that drain your energy. Start by auditing your schedule and identifying tasks that feel like they’re relaxing but actually leave you more tired.
Some common culprits include:
- Excessive TV time: Instead of having the television on all day, set boundaries. For instance, only watch TV after 7 PM to maintain a calm and productive environment during the day.
- Mindless scrolling: If you’re using social media as part of your business, focus on being a creator, not a consumer. Engage purposefully—post content, answer DMs, and avoid endless scrolling.
- Mobile games and online distractions: Consider deleting apps that tempt you to waste time. While it might feel uncomfortable at first, the mental clarity and extra hours you gain will be worth it.
Set clear boundaries for these activities, and you’ll reclaim not just time but also mental energy to focus on what matters.
2. Prioritize Activities That Recharge You
To be productive, you need energy—and that comes from recharging. Enter “anchor actions.” These are habits that, when done consistently, replenish your mental and physical capacity.
Examples of anchor actions include:
- A good night’s sleep
- Regular exercise or yoga
- Meditation or journaling
- Listening to a podcast or reading for pleasure
Even 10 minutes of an anchor activity can reset your energy levels and enhance focus. Identify what works for you and make it non-negotiable in your schedule.
3. Focus on Impact Over Immediacy
With endless to-do lists, it’s easy to fall into the trap of prioritizing urgent tasks over important ones. To break free, evaluate your activities based on impact vs. immediacy.
Ask yourself:
- What tasks will have the biggest long-term impact on my business or life?
- Which activities are just putting out fires or catering to other people’s agendas?
A great rule of thumb is to limit your daily to-do list to three key tasks. These should align with your goals and have a direct impact on your progress. By doing this, you’ll feel productive and in control rather than scattered and reactive.
4. Outsource, Automate, or Let Go
Sometimes, the best way to manage time is by not doing everything yourself. Outsourcing and automating tasks can free up your mental bandwidth for higher-priority work.
Here’s how:
- Outsource routine tasks: Hire help for cleaning, errands, or admin work. For example, you can have groceries delivered or delegate bill payments to an assistant.
- Automate recurring activities: Use tools to schedule social media posts, automate email responses, or set up subscription services for household needs.
- Let go of perfectionism: Not everything needs to be done—or done by you. Accepting this can be liberating and open up time for what truly matters.
Remember, the mental energy spent thinking about undone tasks is often more draining than the tasks themselves. Address them head-on or delegate them.
The Bottom Line
Time management isn’t about cramming more into your day; it’s about doing less but focusing on what truly matters. By auditing your activities, prioritizing recharging habits, focusing on impactful work, and outsourcing low-value tasks, you can reclaim your time and mental energy.
