#554 - Laura Vanderkam - 9 Strategies To Better Control Your Time
Nov 19, 2022
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Laura Vanderkam, a renowned time management expert and author, shares her insights on controlling time, a non-renewable asset. She reveals nine strategies for more effective time management, debunking common to-do list misconceptions and emphasizing the need for intentionality. The conversation covers the importance of establishing a bedtime to improve daytime routines, ways to make mundane tasks more enjoyable, and techniques to tackle challenging projects. Vanderkam also highlights the significance of prioritizing connection, self-care, and leisure in our busy lives.
Being intentional about how we spend our time and creating resilient schedules with backup slots can help us make time for the things that truly matter.
Incorporating one big adventure and one little adventure each week can make life more memorable and fulfilling.
By focusing on the positive outcomes and benefits of new experiences, we can overcome the temptation of comfort and embrace the opportunity for growth and memorable moments.
Deep dives
Importance of Time Management
Time is the most important asset we have, but many people struggle to control and prioritize their time effectively. Time management expert Laura Vanderkamp shares her best strategies for managing time more effectively, including the importance of intentionality and setting bedtime routines. By being intentional about how we spend our time and creating resilient schedules with backup slots, we can make time for the things that truly matter.
Creating Memorable Experiences
Adult life can become routine and monotonous, but by incorporating one big adventure and one little adventure each week, we can make life more memorable. These adventures can be as simple as trying a new activity or visiting a new place. By creating more memories and variety in our lives, time feels slower and more fulfilling. Anticipation of upcoming adventures also adds to the overall enjoyment.
The Challenge of Discipline and Overcoming Comfort
Many people struggle with discipline when faced with choosing between comfort and pursuing new experiences. It's important to remember that the future version of ourselves will be grateful for choosing adventure and stepping outside of our comfort zone. By focusing on the positive outcomes and benefits of new experiences, we can overcome the temptation of the couch and embrace the opportunity for growth and memorable moments.
Prioritizing Sleep and Planning for a Productive Week
Getting enough sleep is crucial for overall well-being and productivity. Many people underestimate the amount of sleep they actually need, resulting in sleep deficits. Tracking sleep using wearables can help raise awareness about sleep efficiency and the importance of getting enough rest. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine and aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep each night is essential. Additionally, planning for the upcoming week is vital in achieving long-term goals. Allocating time for important tasks, identifying priorities, and anticipating logistical challenges can lead to steady progress and reduced stress. By looking at the week as a whole and making intentional plans, individuals can optimize their time and achieve a sense of calm.
Incorporating Physical Activity and Batching Tasks for Better Time Management
Regular physical activity is essential for a healthy lifestyle, but it doesn't have to involve long hours at the gym. Incorporating movement into daily routines, such as taking a 10-minute walk break before 3 p.m., can have significant benefits for both physical health and mental well-being. Batching small tasks and allocating specific time slots to complete them can help prevent them from consuming valuable time and brain space. By dedicating short windows of time to tackle these tasks, individuals create more open space for deeper work, relaxation, and pursuing activities they genuinely enjoy. Prioritizing effortful fun over mindless screen time can result in more fulfilling leisure time and a greater sense of accomplishment.
Laura Vanderkam is a time management expert and an author.
Time is non-renewable. It's the single most important asset we have, and yet almost everyone wishes they spent their time differently. Thankfully Laura has distilled 9 of her best strategies from years of coaching people on how to control their time more effectively.
Expect to learn what everyone is getting wrong when it comes to writing their to-do lists, why intentionality is such a crucial skill to develop, how having a bedtime can fix your daytime schedule issues, how to make boring routine tasks suck less, a simple solution to ensure you do hard things and much more...
