25 Ways To Master Your Time
The Art of Time Mastery
From coaching others, managing myself, and observing others, I’ve seen firsthand how people struggle with time management. Here are some effective strategies I’ve personally used and recommended to help people make time in their lives.
1. Know your schedule
Familiarize yourself with important dates, times, locations, travel distances, tasks, and assignments you’re responsible for.
2. Make a list
Create two lists:
Things I need to do:
_________________
__________________
__________________
Things that waste time:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Reduce & eliminate time wasting activities.
3. Plan fun AFTER work
Make time for fun activities AFTER you’ve completed your essential activities. Determine 1–5 key activities you NEED to complete for the day. Completing these key activities is your priority. Develop the habit of having fun as your reward after working.
4. Visualize the process
Before starting an activity, picture in your mind’s eye the key actions that will help you complete it. Visualize yourself performing the actions needed for the moment. Focus on the process.
5. Travel faster
Travel in straight lines to shave off extra minutes on travel.
6. Travel lighter
Lighter travel is more efficient travel. Pack essentials.
Ask yourself: “Do I absolutely need this item, can I go without it?”
7. Establish your values
By establishing what you value you eliminate all other inessential activities.
8. Work while you wait
During periods of inactivity: learn, practice, plan, organize, strategize, and reflect.
9. Pack
Pack what you need ahead of time. Use more compact and space efficient packages, luggage, and bags.
10. Create back ups
Create alternative plans for yourself so your day flows smoothly if changes happen.
If _________ doesn’t work out, or plans fall through, what will you do?
11. Find ways to get ahead of schedule
Take the initiative to get ahead, within reason. Make sure you’re not too far ahead of schedule/plans. Remember, plans change. You want your efforts to count and be relevant for what’s needed at the time.
12. Live simply
Adopt a minimalist and lean lifestyle. Complexity costs time, energy, and effort. Fine tastes and material things can complicate life, practice moderation. Focus on the basics.
13. Make HEALTH your #1 priority
Prioritize your life around your meals, sleep, self-care, and exercise times. These activities allow you to be productive on a short & long term basis. Base the rest of your schedule around health. This will reveal the window of opportunity you have each day to perform your essential activities.
14. Reduce time with people holding you back
Limit your time with people who drain your time/energy in nonessential ways.
15. Reduce inefficiencies
Identify habits that waste valuable pockets of time, limit them.
Reduce: long periods of eating, traveling, talking, browsing social media, etc.
*Tip: Use a timer to give yourself a limit for breaks, meals, or social media usage.
16. Set deadlines
Give yourself LESS time to complete activities, this will give you a sense of urgency. You WILL rise to the occasion and/or figure out ways to get things done faster.
1. Pick an activity
2. Estimate how long it will take to complete.
3. Set a timer for that estimated time
4. REDUCE that amount by 10–30min
5. Begin.
17. Change your perspective on time
Before deciding and committing to activities, think about the time/effort cost. Time is currency. The amount of time required for certain activities may not be worth the time invested.
“Is ____________ worth my time?”
“Could I spend my time on something more beneficial and life enhancing?”
18. Practice discipline
Practice a life of disciplined flexibility.
19. Practice “Speed of Implementation”
Immediately prioritize and execute tasks/assignments/errands the moment they arise.
20. Stack activities
Combine PASSIVE & ACTIVE activities.
ex) Laundry/reading, travel/reading, cardio/creating content, waiting/planning
21. Wake up earlier
22. Be thorough
Do activities the right way the FIRST TIME. Perform the activity the right way to avoid having to come back to do it again later.
23. Plan your social life wisely
Create a balance between the activities you choose and your friends choose to do. Focus on the QUALITY of time you spend with others.
24. Prepare the night before
Prepare the night before: clothes, food, vitamins, backpack/suitcase/bag, supplies, etc.
25. Pair activities together
Warning: Use sparingly, in the event you NEED fun…
*Pair a Productive/Unproductive activity together:
ex) Taking notes/Watching YouTube, Watching TV/exercising, browsing social media/exercising.
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Individuals Aspiring Mastery (I AM) is for those seeking self-mastery in every area of life.
