How to master your day to unbusy your life ?
How much time do you spend each week on work ? 20 hours or 40 hours or maybe 50 hours some time. No matter what the number is for you, Is it your conscious choice ? Are you in control of how you spend your time ? If not, then who really decides how you spend your time ?
You will agree that “your time is precious” and you have 24 hours in a day just like anyone. In this article I will talk about how you can master your day, to unbusy your life. So that you can feel better and live more.
Before I take you through the steps to unbusy your life, it is required that you know
WHY people are busy in their life. This will help us to identify the right mindset to unbusy your life..
Why is modern life so busy ?
Have you ever said to yourself that there is not enough time in the day. The same work is done in less time with the help of technology. Inventions like microwave, car, computer and more, have made your life simpler. The amount of time that you are spending on your work has not increased in decades.
Still WHY are we so busy ? Are we busier than ever before or do we just feel busy ? Has our relationship with time changed ?
I have found that there are many factors which contribute to busyness of our life. In my research i identified some factors that are listed below :
- Status symbol — we often think what people might think of us. To get respect and show are important. We wear the badge of busyness.
- Job security — at times being busy is considered as productive and committed. You are expected to work overtime.
- Fear of missing out (FOMO) — we are exposed to social media. Where we end up feeling that others are having more fun, living happier lives and experiencing better things then you are.
- Time filler — we live in a golden age with endless possibilities. Making the best use of the day. Leaving no room for free time.
- Digital age — our 24/7 connected culture is shaping the new way of living; promoting never turning “off” lifestyle.
You might resonate with some of the factors. Our modern life has positively contributed to us in many ways. Business is better in many ways.
But what I suggest is that you take a minute to think deeply. Is it making your life better ? And What do you feel by the end of the day ? if not than then do this
#1. Choose and Decide
Now as you know that “WHY are we busy?”. First important step to unbusy your life is to decide where and how to spend your time? To do so you can perform this simple activity:
Step 1 : Tracking
For the next 3-5 days, write down all the tasks you perform in each hour. Eg. check mails, call with a client, check social media feeds, etc.
Step 2 : Scoring
At the end of each day, score each of these tasks between 1 to 5. One being a task which you consider least valuable. Score of five being with highest value.
Step 3 : Identify
Identify other tasks that you can score between 4 -5, which you are not doing but is important for you. Like spending time with kids, exercise, calling an old friend etc.
Step 4 : Categorise
Assign these tasks to the following categories – work, family, social life, health, learning etc.
Once you complete this activity. You will have a list of those activities that creates value and meaning to your life. And now comes the important decision.
Decide how much time you want to spend in each category. Because if you don’t, then someone else will decide it for you. This is an act of empowering yourself. To create a life which aligns with your values.
What will happen when you decide, where and how to spend your time ?
- You work the # hours you want
- You will be decision boss
- You will be value focused instead of time focused
- You will feel confident, focused and motivated
- You create as much time freedom as you want
- You will take care of yourself
- You will use time to create a life you really want to live.
Now when you know why it is important to choose and decide where and how to spend your time. Let me tell you a technique. That will help you implement it in your life
#2. Process Your To Do List
Now when you know what activities create value in your life. It’s time you know how to practice them in your life. Like your mobile software gets upgrades, similarly your existing technique needs upgrades.
To Do List Upgrade V-2.0
I am sure you use a to do list. It could be on your computer, paper or your mind. We use to do lists for multiple reasons. Most common reasons are :
- To be productive,
- To complete the task on time
- To track all our task
- To keep yourself organised
Well you know all the benefits of using a to do list. And it’s your choice how you maintain your list. What I want to share with you is how to process your list.
How To Process Your To Do List ? Processing your list is a skill. Which you need to build by practicing these following steps :
Step 1: Brain Dump All Your Task
You will have to dump out all the activities that are in your brain. You literally need to clear it out. Your brain is not meant to store data. It is meant to process data and create solutions.
Why do you need to brain dump ? When you empty your brain and list down all the tasks. Including those that we identified above. You will do your brain a great favour. And in return it will reduce the stress that you have to go through on daily basis.
Step 2: Schedule it on your calendar
This is what you might not be doing. Or if you are doing it you might not be doing the right way.
Before I talk about the right way of scheduling these tasks. Lets understand why it’s important to schedule your tasks.
- Action taker : when you start scheduling your task. You relieve your mind from planning activities. And this creates a space for actions.
- More focused : when you schedule all your tasks. Your mind does not get distracted with other tasks. You are more focused on the given task.
- More accomplished : when you complete all the tasks for the days, you find your day more productive and meaningful. This will make you feel accomplished.
Scheduling tasks will create a positive momentum in your life. You will feel more confident and productive. Along with it it’s important that you create progress in your life. And this next part of this article is on how to create results ?
#3. Schedule For Results
Making new habits is very difficult. If you wish to live more and feel better in a day. You will need a lot of internal motivation to keep moving. And the best way to get motivated is by getting results. And here is how you can get more results :
“Focus On Results, Not The Time Spend”
To live a life, where you do activities that align with your values. You will need to see your actions with a different perspective. Before scheduling for activities like spending time with kids or writing an email response to the client etc.
Ask yourself first : what are the results I wisht to create from this activity ?
When you do so. You will be able to identify the specific result or an outcome. And instead of scheduling for those activities, you assign results or outcomes. Use these examples for scheduling for results :
- Spending time for kids can be “have fun with kids”
- Going out for shopping can be “buy clothes that i need”
- Reading a book can be “find new tips for personal growth from Xyz book”
- Attend the client meeting can be “ close the deal with client“
- Learn how to drive a car can be “drive a car for 10 km with least errors”
Results are valuable. When your day is filled with small and big accomplishments. You will feel on the top of the world. Your emotional state will be elevated.
An important tip that you could use is think differently. When you think differently you will feel different. And when you feel differently than you do things differently. Don’t worry about how and when to get things done. Commit to yourself that you will complete the task in the assigned time.
Time is the most precious commodity that you have on this planet earth. And many of us don’t know how to spend it with finite resources. Now you know
- How can you use your time wisely ?
- How to choose and decide activities that you value?
- How to process these activities into your calendar ?
- How to be motivated and get more results ?
Use this knowing to master your day and unbusy your life. When doing so you will live more and feel better.
