Reclaim your Time: 10 Time Thieves stealing Your Day and Peace of Mind
Do you ever feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day? Wondering how you can save time amidst the chaos of work, family, and personal responsibilities? You're definitely not alone. Like many, I've faced days that felt too short for my endless to-do lists, often at the cost of my self-care and personal interests. After years of feeling overwhelmed, I used my expertise in process optimization to streamline my life and focus on what's truly important.
In this post, I'll go through the top time thieves that might be lurking in your daily routine and offer actionable strategies to help you reclaim those precious lost hours and improve your life. So stop asking yourself (or Google) how to save time in your day or life, and just keep reading to learn more!
1
Lack of Prioritization and Poor Planning
Ever find yourself busy all day only to realize you've accomplished nothing urgent? That’s a classic sign of mismanaged priorities. Without a clear plan, we tend to handle less important tasks, leaving significant ones for a mythical “later.”
Action: Start each morning by identifying the absolute must-dos. I like to jot down the top three tasks that need conquering before I can consider my day successful. Stick to these priorities and resist the urge to drift.
Pro tip: Pick a tiny thing you love to do in the day (like that latte with cinnamon or those 5 minutes in the sun) and don’t do it until you’ve finished the hard task. Do it and enjoy the little reward!
2
Overcommitting and not setting Boundaries
If you’re the go-to person for everyone’s problems, if you are a people-pleaser, or if you struggle with saying NO; chances are you’re overcommitting. It’s great to be helpful, but not when your own priorities suffer. It’s okay to say no. Actually, it’s not just okay, it’s essential!
Action: Identify your priorities and distinguish them from other people’s priorities on your list. Start politely setting boundaries or give reasonable timings where you still want to help, and only take on tasks that align with your key goals.
Pro Tip: Protect your time like you were a nightclub bouncer. Question everything and everyone trying to make it onto your to-do list!
3
Information Overload & Indecision
In the age of information, knowing everything seems tempting but it's a trap! Excess information leads to decision paralysis. So, cut down on the noise for your mental peace.
Action: Take fast decisions for small things and adjust if necessary as you go. Limit the time for research for bigger ones, and consider hiring an expert when the topic is too out of your reach.
Pro Tip: Trust your instincts more often. Half of the time you waste hours on Pros & Cons when your gut knows what to do from minute one. And you know I’m right here…
4
Procrastination
Putting off tasks? We all do it, especially if they seem daunting or unpleasant. But then we have to rush at the last minute loaded with stress and cortisol.
Action: Go back to point 1 and set your 1-2-3 priorities for the day. Tackle them straight, no excuses, and reward yourself with your little daily pleasure.
Pro tip: Break down intimidating tasks into smaller, manageable steps, list them, and cross off the list after completing each one. It’s like telling yourself you’ll only eat one potato chip—once you start, you’ll finish the whole task before you know it.
5
Unnecessary Perfectionism
Perfectionism can be paralyzing. If you're meticulously organizing your spice rack alphabetically when you only cook with salt and pepper 90% of the meals, you're probably wasting time.
Deep dive a bit more on perfectionism in my Perfection Trap post, if that’s your issue or want to learn more ;)
Action: Set limits. Give yourself a fixed time for each task and move on once it's up. Done is better than perfect—because perfect doesn’t exist!
Pro Tip: If that pesky perfectionist inside you just won't quit, set aside an extra 15 minutes at the end of your task list for touch-ups. This gives you a chance for a quick polish on tasks that might need a bit more shine, but draw the line there!
6
Inefficient Processes
- that’s totally my jam—I love optimizing this stuff! -
Relying on outdated or overly complex methods for daily tasks is a huge time drain. Not automating repetitive tasks, or not tailoring processes to match your mental wiring, and even poor communication in shared tasks can also lead to unnecessary rework.
Action: Question everything! From tackling all housework in one day or spreading it out, to organizing your work and leisure time—experiment with different routines to find what works best for you. Innovate and adjust your daily activities to maximize efficiency.
Pro tip: Things change, life changes, you change. New tools are created, new apps are designed, your friend learned to do that faster… keep your eyes and mind open!
7
Interruptions
Constant interruptions fracture your focus and extend the time needed to complete tasks. Whether it's someone dropping by, the sudden glow of your phone screen, or that "ping" signaling a new message or email, each one is a little thief of time.
Action: Identify your interruptions and schedule 'interruption-free' periods during your day. Inform your team or family about these so they know when you are not to be disturbed. Treat these times as sacred—think of it as your 'Do Not Disturb' mode.
Pro tip: Put your phone in a drawer for high focus and turn off notifications on other devices such as smartwatches or laptops.
8
Multitasking
Multitasking is a myth, especially when it involves complex tasks. What actually happens in your brain is that you go from one task to the other really fast—it splits your attention and reduces the quality and efficiency of your work.
Action: Tackle tasks one at a time. Focus fully and finish before moving on to the next. Your brain will thank you, and you’ll see a boost in efficiency and quality.
Pro tip: If you need to juggle tasks like writing and laundry simultaneously, time them wisely. Dedicate 50 minutes to focused writing, followed by a 10-minute break to load the washer. After another 50 minutes of work, take another break to transfer clothes to the dryer. This way, your tasks are neatly compartmentalized, keeping your brain clear and on track.
9
Clutter & Lack of Organization
A cluttered space is a cluttered mind.
Ask you this: how much time do you waste looking for things? For the average American, it’s 5 days a year just to find keys, wallet and other stuff! More if we include finding that tab on your browser that is now surrounded by a thousand others, or that file in your desktop where all screenshots and downloads go.
Action: Keep your work, computer, and living areas tidy. Consider that everything needs its own place and save from seconds to minutes next time you’re looking for it!
Pro tip: The less the better—fewer things you buy, less to organize, less to clean… A minimalistic approach not only clears your space but also your mind, making you faster and more efficient, and reducing opportunities for chaos.
10
Unplanned Social Media Scrolling
Last but not least!!
We’ve all fallen into the social media black hole. It starts with a quick check and suddenly, it’s two hours later. And we can’t easily win that one because they work hard to keep you stuck there (I recommend watching The Social Dilemma if you haven’t, to learn more about it).
Action: Be intentional with your social media use. Decide which ones you really want to be in, and set specific times of the day for checking social media (never first thing in the morning) and stick to them.
Pro tip: Use the time-limit option of the apps or on your phone to limit your daily usage if you find yourself getting sucked in too often.
Remember, identifying your personal time thieves is the first step to conquering them, so take a moment to reflect on what might be stealing your time and peace of mind. List these time thieves in order of how they impact your day and tackle them one every week. By addressing these issues systematically, you’ll feel as though you’ve stretched your day beyond its hours—not by doing more, but by doing better. Remember, it’s not about squeezing more into your day; it’s about prioritizing what truly matters to you. Start reclaiming your time today, and gain back control of your life!
If you’re ready for more insights and tips that bring clarity and calm to your life, subscribe below and stay tuned! You’ll also find me on Instagram as @martafores_coach and Facebook as Marta Forés, where you can comment on all these topics, share your thoughts, and keep the conversation going. See you soon!
