Podcast Summary
Understanding the value of time and how to make the most of it: Tracking time reveals where it's truly spent and helps make intentional decisions for increased productivity and less stress
Time is more valuable than money and we all have the same 24 hours each day. On Yap, Young and Profiting Podcast, host Halataha discussed this topic with productivity expert Laura Vanderkam. Laura, author of several time management books, including "Off the Clock," emphasized that we make our own decisions about how to spend our time and that people often waste hours without realizing it. In her research, she studied 900 time diaries from busy individuals and found that tracking time can provide valuable insights into how we truly spend our days. By understanding where our time goes, we can make more intentional decisions and feel less stressed while getting more done.
Understanding Time Perception and Leisure Time: People with high time perception enjoy leisure activities like reading, exercising, and spending time with loved ones, while those with low time perception often watch TV or scroll online. Tracking time usage for a week can reveal surprising insights and lead to improved time management.
People who feel they have plenty of time and those who feel starved for time are not necessarily distinguished by the number of hours they work, but rather how they spend their leisure time. According to a study, individuals with high time perception scores, who feel they have ample time, are more likely to engage in activities like reading, exercising, reflecting, or spending time with family and friends. Conversely, those with low time perception scores, who feel time-starved, tend to spend their leisure time watching TV or scrolling online. Low time perception does not necessarily mean working long hours; it means feeling distracted, rushed, and unable to do things one wants to do. To gain a better understanding of how our time is being used, it's essential to track it for a week. This will provide a clear perspective on our time usage and offer valuable data to make informed decisions about potential changes. Many people are surprised by their time usage revelations once they've tracked their time for a week. A common objection to tracking time is the belief that there isn't enough time for it. However, investing time in tracking our time can lead to significant improvements in time management and overall satisfaction with how we spend our days.
Checking in on your time usage daily: Regularly tracking and reflecting on time usage leads to better decision-making and personal growth
Being mindful of your time through regular tracking and reflection can help you direct your days more wisely. It doesn't require an intense, long-term commitment, but rather a small daily habit. By checking in a few times a day and recording broad categories of your activities, you can gain valuable insights into where your time is going. This practice is not about achieving perfection but rather consistency. The benefits of time awareness include better decision-making and engagement in reflective activities that contribute to personal growth. Remember, time keeps passing regardless, so taking a moment to survey your course can make a significant difference.
Evaluating commitments for long-term value: Consider joy and meaning when deciding on commitments, focus on skills and learning, and politely decline tasks that don't contribute to long-term goals.
Evaluating commitments based on their long-term value and meaning can significantly impact our perspective on how we spend our time. It doesn't take much effort to reflect on our schedules or journal about our feelings towards various commitments. By considering whether these commitments bring joy and meaning to our lives, we can make more intentional decisions about how we allocate our time. This doesn't mean every second must be enjoyable, but rather that the overall impact should be positive. For instance, practicing a musical instrument may not be immediately satisfying, but the progress and eventual performance can bring immense joy. As young professionals, it's crucial to learn to politely decline tasks that don't contribute to our long-term goals. We don't have to accept every opportunity presented in the first few years of our careers. Instead, focus on learning new skills and meeting people. When evaluating a task, ask yourself if there's a skill you could develop or an opportunity to learn something new. By doing so, even mundane tasks can become valuable experiences.
Communicating effectively with managers and prioritizing tasks: Discuss concerns with managers for task prioritization, bring ideas to the table, seek opportunities to learn and grow, consider new opportunities if feeling undervalued, utilize platforms like Shopify for time-saving entrepreneurship.
Effective communication with managers and prioritizing tasks can help employees focus on projects that contribute to their professional growth and job satisfaction. If an employee finds themselves with too many responsibilities, they should discuss their concerns with their superiors and request guidance on prioritization. Managers appreciate employees who bring ideas to the table and are proactive in seeking opportunities to learn and grow. However, if an employee feels undervalued or unsupported, it may be time to consider new opportunities within the next 6 to 12 months. Additionally, utilizing platforms like Shopify for setting up an online business can save time and resources for entrepreneurs looking to sell digital products or services. Effective communication, prioritization, and seeking new opportunities are key to personal and professional growth.
Streamline business and investments with AI tools and resources: Leverage AI tools and resources like Shopify and Yahoo Finance to streamline business management and investment strategies, while prioritizing important tasks to increase productivity.
With the help of advanced AI tools like Shopify Magic and resources like Yahoo Finance, it's easier than ever to grow a business or manage investments, allowing individuals to focus on what they enjoy and increase their earning potential. However, it's essential to be mindful of time-wasting activities, such as excessive email use and unnecessary meetings, which can hinder productivity. Instead, prioritize important tasks first and limit the time spent on email and meetings to improve overall efficiency. Start your business journey with Shopify and manage your investments in one place with Yahoo Finance.
Be intentional with how you use your time in both work and personal life: In work life, focus on productivity and minimize unnecessary meetings. In personal life, prioritize activities that bring joy and set intentions for how you want to spend your time.
Both in professional and personal life, time is valuable and should be used intentionally. In the workplace, unnecessary meetings can be a significant waste of time and resources. Instead, consider if a meeting is truly necessary and if so, have a clear agenda. In personal life, being intentional about how you spend your time can make it feel like you have more of it. Aim to set goals and prioritize activities that bring joy and fulfillment. At work, focus on productivity and efficiency to minimize time spent in unneeded meetings. In personal life, set intentions for how you want to spend your time outside of work and sleep, and make the most of your non-work hours. Remember, there are 168 hours in a week, and being intentional about how you use them can help you feel more in control of your time and your life.
Finding balance in work, personal life, and making each day memorable: Aim for a balanced life with 56 hours for work, 56 hours for personal, and 56 hours for sleep/care. Make each day memorable by doing something adventurous or meaningful, even with small moments.
Making the most of your time involves finding a balance between work and personal life, and making each day memorable. According to the discussion, most people don't work more than 60 hours a week, despite feeling like they do. A balanced life might consist of 56 hours for professional and related activities, 56 hours for personal life, and 56 hours for sleep and personal care. While it's impossible to expand time beyond 24 hours a day, we can make it feel more expansive by making our time memorable. This can be achieved by doing something adventurous or meaningful each day. Even small moments, like waiting for a phone call or the bus, can be used productively by reading or engaging in other enjoyable activities. By tracking time and repurposing small chunks of it, we can make the most of every day and feel like we have more time overall.
Making Time for What Matters: Intentional planning and prioritization, such as meditation, journaling, earlier bedtimes, and weekly planning, can help create more time for important activities. Prioritize tasks and front-load your week to mitigate emergencies. Use a hiring platform like Indeed to streamline the hiring process and focus on character, attitude, and reliability.
Making time for things that matter requires intentional planning and prioritization. You can try activities like meditation, listening to music, or journaling in small chunks of time. Additionally, going to bed and waking up earlier can help create more morning hours for productive activities. Planning your week ahead and prioritizing your time can also increase the chances of accomplishing important tasks. Front-loading your week by scheduling priorities at the beginning can help mitigate the impact of emergencies. Lastly, when it comes to hiring, consider using a powerful hiring platform like Indeed to streamline the process and focus on finding candidates with the right character, attitude, and reliability.
Efficient hiring solution with high match rate: Indeed offers efficient and cost-effective hiring for businesses, with over 80% of sponsored jobs resulting in perfect resume matches. Pay only for relevant applications and get 4x more hires than other sites. SMBs receive a $75 sponsored job credit. Outsource tasks for time and expertise savings, and be prompt and realistic about time.
Indeed is an efficient and cost-effective solution for businesses looking to hire, with over 80% of sponsored jobs resulting in perfect resume matches for employers. Indeed delivers four times more hires than all other job sites combined, and businesses can pay only for applications that meet their requirements. For small and medium-sized business owners, Indeed offers a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade job posts. Another key takeaway is the importance of outsourcing tasks that are not the best use of time or require expertise. This can free up time and energy for other important tasks. Additionally, being prompt and realistic about time is crucial. People often underestimate the time it takes to complete tasks or get to appointments, leading to chronic lateness. To be more prompt, it's essential to be realistic about time estimates and avoid optimistic thinking. Tracking time can also help keep us accountable and prevent us from telling ourselves inaccurate stories about our time.
Effective time management is crucial for feeling less busy and getting more done: Track your time or add a buffer to ensure on-time appointments, and consider time management as valuable as managing money. Laura Vanderkam's book 'Off the Clock' offers insights and strategies for making the most of your time.
Managing your time effectively is crucial to feeling less busy and getting more done. Laura Vanderkam, a time management expert, suggests tracking your time or adding a buffer to help ensure you're on time for appointments. Her new book, "Off the Clock," offers insights and strategies for making the most of your time. To learn more about Laura and her work, visit her website, lauravandercam.com. Remember, treating your time with care and consideration is just as important as managing your money. Follow Young and Profiting on Instagram and Twitter, and check out youngandprofiting.com for more insights. Subscribe to our podcast for upcoming interviews.
