11 Habits to Make Time for Yourself

1 1 H A B I T S T O M A K E T I M E F O R Y O U R S E L F

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W E H AV E M O R E E X P E C TAT I O N S P L A C E D U P O N U S T H A N E V E R B E F O R E , B U T T H E Y F O R G O T T O G I V E U S A N Y E X T R A T I M E

1 4 H A B I T S T O M A K E T I M E F O R Y O U R S E L F

1. PRIORITISE YOURSELF

Whenever you fly on a plane, they tell you to fit your own mask before helping others. The same principle applies to how you should use your time.

2. JUST HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?Many people complain of never having “enough time”, but when you ask them how much is “enough” they often don’t know the answer. Take time to sit down and work it out.

3. CONDUCT A TIME AUDIT

Track your time. It will surprise you to discover where it all goes. People who complain they have no time are often squandering most of it.

4. HABIT STACKINGWhat tasks can you double up? If you stack a boring habit with a fun one, or even stack two boring ones together you can often make them both more interesting.

5. AVOID DECISION FATIGUEWhen asked why he wore the same grey shirt every day, Mark Zuckerburg said that he had so many decisions to make each day, he doesn’t want clothes to be one of them.

6. STEAL TIME

There are moments during the day when you might have to wait. Instead of becoming frustrated, use these blocks of time to be productive.

7. BANISH TIME GUILT

It helps to build guilt-free time into your life. You might need to simplify to do this, and this means saying no to those opportunities that eat into your time.

8. THE 80/20 RULE

Do what matters and don’t feel guilty about relaxing. Outsource stuff that’s not important. Focus on your most productive time and don’t allow interruptions.

9. URGENT AND IMPORTANT

Learn the difference between urgent and important. In an age where stretches of unbroken time are shrinking, we must turn instead to focus.

10. KILL DEADLINES

Give progress reports instead of strict deadlines. Deadlines are a huge cause of disappointment. Try and shoot for progress instead.

11. FOCUS ON FOCUSSING

Tame your e-mail. Shortcut regular tasks. Systemise your life. Set firm boundaries. Time yourself—the pressure of the clock helps keep you focused.

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