10 unusual ways to stop wasting time
Miscellaneous / / December 16, 2021
You don't have to be productive every minute to make your life meaningful.
It often seems that we still have a lot of time ahead, but human life is short enough. For example, if we are lucky enough to celebrate our 80th birthday, we will only live four thousand weeks. And it depends only on ourselves how interesting and productive they will be.
In this situation, competent time management seems to be on the agenda of absolutely everyone. However, modern approaches to time management are rather limited. They focus on creating the perfect morning ritual or complete as many tasks as possible in the hope of long-term success and well-being.
In addition, time management techniques often ignore the fact that the world is full of wonders. And these miracles are worth every minute spent. Sometimes it doesn't hurt to sacrifice productivity in order to touch them.
If you want to keep up with everything, but at the same time keep the joy of life, follow a few simple rules.
1. Prioritize
All of us sometimes have to make tough and categorical decisions. For example, to determine which tasks we can complete and which ones we can postpone for later. This distinction allows you to focus on really important projects, instead of constantly being distracted by new requests from others.
Use regular lists for this. First, make a list of all the things to do. Then select from it and transfer to another list 10 tasks that you plan to work on right now. Only start new projects after freeing one of these 10 lines after completing the previous task.
Try fixing specific time intervals for repetitive tasks. For example, on weekdays from 10:00 to 10:30 you will sort your work mail. Each such period should be clearly "reserved" for one lesson. This tactic will "offload" your to-do list.
2. Work on one big project at a time
Of course, it might seem like a good idea to work on many big tasks in parallel in the hope of completing them all at once. In fact, multitasking is unlikely to get you much ahead.
Try a radically different way - to complete large projects one by one, giving each of them your maximum attention. You will quickly notice that you are doing more and that you are feeling better.
3. Determine in advance what you will definitely fail
As much as we would like it, but some projects cannot be done in any way. If only because our time and energy are not infinite. In this case, the "strategic imbalance" method comes in handy. Its essence is to determine in advance the areas of your life in which you do not expect outstanding results from yourself. This will free up time for important tasks.
For example, if you are writing a book, agree in advance with yourself that for this time you are ready to sacrifice perfect order in the kitchen. And if, say, you want to spend time with your children while they are growing up, come to terms with the fact that you will have to "pay" for this with active career growth.
This approach will help to abandon the search for the notorious balance between work and personal life and come to a deliberate but necessary imbalance.
4. Focus on what has already been done
When tasks continue to fall on our heads, and time becomes less and less, we look with hatred at the to-do list. It seems that so many hours have been spent, and how many have not yet been crossed out!
A list of completed tasks can help you deal with this feeling. As soon as you have completed another large project or small assignment, commit it. This will be a kind of reminder that you did not spend your day in vain and did a lot.
5. Choose your subscriptions and hobbies wisely
Social media is a huge machine that slowly but surely shifts our focus to things that aren't worth it. Therefore, the feed on VKontakte, Instagram or another social network should consist of what makes us better, cheers us up and motivates us.
The same applies to hobbies and any activities that you devote your free time to. Charity, blogging, activism - choose the specific projects you want and are willing to spend time on. This will help prevent burnout.
6. Change your phone and computer settings
Digital technologies help us get to another world for a short time. A world where there are no restrictions for a person. A world where we can aimlessly update the feed over and over again. A world where there is no boredom, but there is freedom. But in reality, when we are overwhelmed with work, all this is an unaffordable luxury.
So that such a tidbit as social networks and other digital entertainment does not loom in front of your nose, make your phone or computer as boring as possible. At least for the duration of the work. Turn off notifications for all apps, and if you feel you are ready for more drastic measures, delete them.
Another option is to initially buy gadgets designed for only one purpose, such as an e-book without Internet access. This will make it easier to focus on business and fight the urge to check messages or count likes.
7. Look for the unusual in the familiar
You have probably been in such a situation: you live an ordinary life, do your usual things, work, house, and suddenly you realize that a whole month has passed, and it just started quite recently!
Now imagine another - you are leaving to rest for a week, gaining impressions during these long seven days, returning home, and a friend says: “Well, a week has already passed? I didn't even notice. " It's all about how we spend our time. The more new emotions we experience, the slower the minutes, hours and days flow for us.
Try to make even the most banal activity unusual. This can help, although it is not always practical. For example, take a different route home from work, or go for a walk in the middle of the day just wherever you want. Draw a picture as soon as you feel like it, or watch the birds. Try to get the most out of every moment - it won't happen again.
8. Become a Relationship Explorer
The desire to control the small amount of time we have leads to stress and relationship problems. These include fear of commitment, inability to listen, and boredom.
When you are faced with a difficult period, do not seek to take control of the situation, but show curiosity towards the person who is next to you. It can be a partner, friend, or colleague. Observe his temperament and unpredictability - it doesn't matter if you like this behavior or not. This is much better than waiting for certain reactions from close people, and then being disappointed, because they behave in a completely different way.
9. Be generous
Whenever an impulse of generosity arises in you, give in to it. You don't have to think about whether someone deserves it, whether good treatment will return to you, or whether you have time for this. Just show generosity and you will immediately be rewarded with a good mood.
10. Learn to mess around
When it comes to how best to use your four thousand weeks, it's important to remember to get some rest. When we are uncomfortable with idleness and cannot cope with it, then we make serious mistakes in the allocation of time. For example, we are in a hurry in matters where we need to act slowly, or we try to spend every moment productively, even if the task is negligible.
To be idle is to let life be what it is. Try an extraordinary meditation. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and do nothing. If you find yourself finding something to do, like thinking about something or listening to your breathing, stop and return to doing nothing. This will help you become more autonomous, teach you how to calm down and allow you to make the right decisions.
More often than not, the desire to achieve perfect self-control is counterproductive and creates additional stress. You don't have to look for the perfect time management method - you need to make friends with all your limitations and shortcomings.
Part of this process is accepting that we are all mortal. When we begin to realize the transience of life and put up with the fact that we will not be able to do everything, we free not only ourselves, but also our time. Instead of following the motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger!”, Love your imperfection. It will make you much happier.
Read also🧐
- Why it's better not to chase your dreams if you want to be successful
- Why You Shouldn't Be Upset If You Haven't Done Great
- 5 principles of wu-wei - the philosophy of doing nothing