Time management

Take actual breaks at work, such as eating lunch away from your desk or taking a walk.

To ensure you aren't at your workstation for 8 hours straight.

one person who lived it

Plan in 4-hour blocks rather than hour-by-hour to get more by doing less.

Do less to get more.

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Keep a piece of paper nearby and log what you are doing every two hours to reduce screen time.

One person reported this cut their screen time in half.

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Treat your day like a budget by using time tracking apps or a stopwatch to see where hours are leaking.

Physically seeing that you spent time doing nothing forces you to respect your time more.

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Track your time on paper rather than digitally.

It is harder to scroll social media if you must write it down first and face those numbers later.

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Set multiple alarms for specific checkpoints in your morning routine to maintain pace.

It helps if you are time blind or distractible.

2 people, independently

Track habits visually on a calendar or whiteboard to build momentum through completion.

Seeing the visual progress is motivating.

3 people, independently

• Establish specific, measurable targets that align with your broader vision and monitor your advancement.3

Add one small, contained slot for trying a new thing to your routine rather than disrupting your stable habits.

It works better because it is small and contained.

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Start with a goal of just one minute of work or exercise to build momentum.

Sitting down for that short duration often leads to staying and working longer.

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• If a task feels overwhelming, commit to doing just five minutes of it daily to build momentum.1
• Commit to working for just one hour or one day, telling yourself you are free afterward.1

Take small 5-minute bites into your long-term goals.

It makes you feel empowered.

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• Break large ambitions into smaller, actionable tasks to create specific goals and reduce overwhelm.25

Set a fixed bedtime (e.g., 10:30 p.m.) and schedule preceding activities like bathing backward from that time to ensure enough rest.

Staying up late ruins productivity the next day.

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Break tasks into 20-minute intervals to make it easier to get moving.

It helps overcome lack of discipline by focusing on just one step you can do now.

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Group comparable duties like calls or mail to cut down on the mental drain of shifting focus.

Jumping between unrelated jobs burns energy; clustering them calms the mind.

4 people, independently

As a beginner, time-block your mornings from 9 am to 12 pm Monday through Friday.

Your mornings are the most valuable time resource you have; you have the most willpower and concentration in the mornings.

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Set a timer on your phone and place it far enough away from the shower that you must exit to turn off the alarm.

The annoyance of the alarm encourages exiting the shower.

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Set a timer on your phone to stop playing media when it ends, rather than using an alarm.

One person uses this method, setting timers for durations like 30 minutes.

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Track your activities in 30-minute intervals using a spreadsheet to see how you actually spend your time versus what you complain about not doing.

It reveals how you spend your time and highlights discrepancies with what you moan about not being able to do.

2 people, independently

Monitor how long you spend online to realize how much time is lost, then use tools to block distracting apps.

Monitoring revealed how much time was being lost; blocking apps freed up significant time.

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Put your phone in another room to resist checking it.

One person found this helpful.

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Prepare coffee before starting work to signal your brain and body that it is time to work.

It signals your brain and body that it's time to work.

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Work out first thing in the morning, as this is one approach that ensures exercise happens before daily distractions arise.

If you do not work out before the rest of the day starts, it likely won't happen.

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Track completions instead of plans.

This change was reported as effective by one person.

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Define study times loosely (e.g., 'around 9ish') rather than strictly to prevent abandonment if preparation isn't perfect.

Strict start times lead to not doing the task if you can't start exactly on time; loose times provide wiggle room.

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Read '168 Hours' by Laura Vanderkamp for an overview of how people manage their time.

It provides a good overview of how people actually manage time.

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Treat focus blocks as a transaction: trade intense focus for guilt-free leisure later.

Finishing the focus block unlocks the right to leisure.

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Set all clocks, including your car clock, 10 minutes fast.

It helps manage time better.

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Keep a journal to reflect on the day, check if actions aligned with long-term goals, and set the next day's goals before bed.

It is a good habit.

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Anchor tasks to preceding events (e.g., 'after work') rather than specific clock times to maintain routines even if you finish late.

Time-based thinking causes you to skip tasks if you finish late; sequence-based thinking avoids this.

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Drop judgment about needing to just do things and accept that your brain works with deadlines, treating this as self-knowledge rather than weakness.

Giving yourself deadlines aligns with how your brain works.

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Keep a journal to track key metrics and dump thoughts daily.

Stopping this practice led to a slight downturn in performance.

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Quit books or TV shows that have become boring or gone bad rather than finishing them out of obligation.

This saves time.

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Adopt new routines gradually, adding only one or two at a time to prevent failure.

Overloading your schedule leads to collapse; incremental changes let you monitor impact and make necessary tweaks.

4 people, independently

Limit partying by setting rules such as two drinks and being home by midnight to avoid days of recovery.

Excessive drinking and staying up all night previously took days to recover from.

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Get fully dressed and ready early in the day, even hours before you need to leave, so you can act immediately if needed.

It prevents hesitation if you have errands or other tasks to run.

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Check your screen time data to see how small distractions eat up an entire day.

It serves as a reality check on how small distractions can consume your time.

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Reduce the friction to start a task to under 20 seconds to bypass overthinking.

It takes less time than hours of overthinking.

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Divide your day into 15–25 minute blocks to make starting tasks easier by tricking your brain into accepting a small commitment.

Tricks the brain into thinking the commitment is small rather than working all day.

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Guesstimate your time entries rather than seeking perfect data to gain a bird's eye view of your weekly life.

It helps you see the big picture of what you are doing every week.

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Create a schedule with 4-6 productive days followed by 1-3 unproductive days.

Sticking to a regimen while taking days off helped one person get back on track.

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Challenge yourself to complete showering, brushing teeth, dressing, and combing hair before a single song finishes.

It helps reduce the time spent on these routines.

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Track the time you devote to specific goals to hold yourself accountable.

It offers a clear mirror to your commitments and helps you notice when you are wasting hours.

2 people, independently

Avoid working an 11th hour, as it rarely produces value and often leads to decisions that must be undone the next day.

It almost never produces value and creates work to undo later.

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Use a loose schedule combined with fixed routines, such as a morning routine for the first hour after waking.

This helps cure Monday blues because only what you're doing changes, not the timeframes.

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Create master, daily, and project lists to ensure you see both the big picture and the details.

Both the big picture and the details are important.

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Meditate for ten minutes upon waking to center yourself.

It is easy to do when you have no other commitments.

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Audit your time usage to ensure you are dedicating time to your goals rather than passive consumption.

People often claim they don't have time while spending hours on passive activities like TikTok.

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Schedule specific times for routine checks like finance to eliminate decision fatigue for the rest of the day.

Checking at a specific point means the app doesn't exist for the other hours.

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• Automate your schedule by writing out all weekly tasks and goals in advance.1

Plan and stick to a schedule that includes lots of downtime, trusting yourself to adhere to it.

Planning is the secret.

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Allow at most one day to process changes after an event, then commit to just half an hour of activity to break inertia.

Breaking the spell of inertia makes it easier to stay focused.

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Dedicate specific days (such as one or two per week) to relaxing rather than productivity, using other days for work, to appreciate the break more.

It gives you something to look forward to and makes you appreciate that time more.

2 people, independently

Account for invisible overhead such as transitions, false starts, and time spent getting ready to work, as these cost more than obvious time-wasters.

In-between moments like transitions and preparation often cost the most time.

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Make a list of essential tasks required to leave for work, time yourself doing them, and refuse to do anything else once the list is complete.

This ensures you will be early.

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• Create a to-do list at the start of each day and address items in order.3

Verify that the alarm will ring in the expected amount of time by checking the countdown or relative time display provided by the device.

The device explicitly states how long until it rings, which is handy.

2 people, independently

Pursue contract work in fields like computer science to get the most from free time between contracts, despite potentially longer hours during active projects.

A few big contracts can last a long time financially, providing huge amounts of free time when not working.

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Try working for 52 minutes and resting for 17 minutes if other ratios feel too disruptive.

The principle is described as sound, though statistics may be misleading.

2 people, independently

Set a kitchen timer for 19 minutes and focus entirely on one task until it rings.

It enables getting more done through 100% focus compared to working for hours.

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• Concentrate on a single activity at once rather than juggling multiple tasks.10
• Cease multitasking; concentrate on finishing one item before moving to the next to prevent losing focus.12
• Dedicate specific time slots to particular activities and focus solely on that activity during its assigned slot.7

Pick a few things to do every day that will improve your wellbeing, rather than trying to do everything.

You can't do everything in one day.

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Use time blocking to ensure tasks are completed so you can rest easily during downtime.

It allows you to know exactly which tasks you've done.

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• Use time blocking to schedule small tasks that are often neglected with regular to-do lists.1

Use a separate work phone set to focus mode after work hours to disconnect from notifications.

Helps relax and focus on family.

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Track progress to maintain motivation and keep streaks on days you don't want to act.

Tracking motivated the author to continue when they didn't want to because they wanted to keep their streak.

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Focus on accomplishing one big thing and focus on tasks ruthlessly, though be aware some people do not thrive on obsessing over a single goal.

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Keep a whiteboard in your room to list important dates and tasks.

It helps reduce overwhelm.

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Schedule tasks in 45-minute blocks to allow 15 minutes of leeway.

Allows for overruns, breaks, or small tasks.

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Work in a public place where others can see your laptop screen.

The judgment and panic from being watched boosts productivity.

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Pick up clutter immediately after use so that weekend cleaning requires only about an hour for bathrooms and vacuuming rather than a full day.

Picking things up keeps the house clean all the time, eliminating the need for deep-cleaning days.

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Insert 'break/catch up' blocks into your daily schedule to handle delays and maintain motivation.

It ensures you get a full break if you stay on schedule.

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Set small goals, such as working out more or earning certificates, so you don't feel like you are wasting time.

Achieving them prevents the feeling of wasting time doing nothing.

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Protect the first hours of the morning for deep work and important decisions, leaving mechanical tasks for the afternoon.

Not all hours of the day are equal for the brain.

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Brainstorm a list of activity ideas ahead of time when you know free time is coming.

Having options on hand helps reduce last-minute panic.

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Commit to finishing at least half of a project before allowing yourself to procrastinate on smaller tasks.

When the deadline arrives, having half the project done makes it much simpler.

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Conduct a one-week time audit by writing down where your hours actually go without changing anything, to distinguish perceived from actual usage.

Seeing where time goes stops you from blaming your schedule and allows proper management.

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• Conduct time audits to see how you leak time in tiny fragments, removing the story and leaving only the numbers.1

Remove social media apps from your home screen and bury them in subfolders to increase friction and break autopilot usage.

Removing easy access reduces distraction and increases accomplishment.

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• Remove digital distractions by putting your phone in another room and logging out of or deleting distracting apps on your PC.1

Schedule specific blocks for work and rest so you can stop working at the end of your scheduled hours without guilt.

It allows you to do other things without feeling bad even if you haven't accomplished much that day.

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Treat Sunday like a workday if it helps you structure your week.

One person found it easier.

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Keep a to-do list to track progress and cross off completed tasks.

It helps you stay organized.

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• Gamify your tasks by creating a list of things to do and preparing a reward for completing each task.6

Log your daily activities to identify wasted time and catch bad productivity habits.

It helps reveal how much time is actually wasted, such as upwards of 3 hours.

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• Log the actual useful output produced from each time block, not just attendance, to quickly identify and eliminate busy-work hours.1

Carve out 15–30 minute micro-moments during the workweek for reading, journaling, or stretching.

Micro-moments matter and can be enough for these activities.

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Spend ten minutes on a desired activity like writing, music, painting, or walking, as this is better than zero and builds progress over time.

Even small amounts of time accumulate to show progress.

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Be consistent and turn actions into habits over time.

Results will appear over time.

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Practice the 'Daily 10' method by brainstorming 10 or more ideas in the morning to enter creative mode.

Brainstorming helps get into creative mode.

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Avoid minute-by-minute schedules because life rarely keeps up with them; use broader time estimates instead.

To-the-minute schedules can be incredibly frustrating when life does not keep up.

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Set a phone alarm to bring yourself back to work when tempted to get distracted.

It limits moments away from keyboard (AFK).

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Create an illusion of choice by setting a punishment (like skipping a favorite show) if you do not complete your work.

The illusion of choice helps motivate action since you will get work done and enjoy something in both options.

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Create a personal philosophy of phone use and learn to manage cravings.

This approach led to significant improvements for the author.

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Promise to donate money to a cause you dislike if you are late.

This creates accountability to someone else.

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Turn off all notifications except for calls and texts.

Other apps demand attention on their schedule rather than yours.

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Complete the hardest or most important task at the beginning of the day.

It ensures the day is a success because you accomplished what was needed.

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Share the results of your time-tracking experiment with someone else.

It opens the results to critique and helps eliminate bias.

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If you arrive at work early, perform personal routines there instead of at home.

This allows you to appear punctual while handling personal tasks.

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If you are new to time blocking, plan only the next day instead of the entire week.

Planning the whole week can lead to unnecessary perfectionism and overthinking.

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Perform short 10-minute meditations to calm down efficiently.

One person saw a big difference in calming down without spending much time.

2 people, independently

Give yourself an extra 10-minute buffer in the morning to handle unexpected issues without being late.

Issues usually last only a few minutes, allowing you to arrive early or on time.

3 people, independently

Choose familiar, easy-to-watch shows you have seen before to prevent getting absorbed in new content.

Familiarity makes it easier to get tired of the show and switch tasks.

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Simplify appearance maintenance by using minimal makeup instead of a full face.

You do not need a full face of makeup each day; a minimal look takes at most 15 minutes.

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Step away from your desk for lunch without using your phone or discussing work.

This reset prevents afternoon energy crashes.

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Do not check email or social media before checking in with yourself.

Checking in with yourself first allows for brain-untangling journaling.

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Set a 30-minute timer when listening to audiobooks to prevent losing large chunks of time.

Timers help manage time better; rewind if necessary to jog memory.

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Close loops on unfinished tasks or delete them to stop draining your brain's battery.

Unfinished tasks create attention residue that acts like background apps.

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Anchor your study time to a consistent everyday event, such as a gym class or an alarm.

It prevents time from slipping by unnoticed.

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When facing procrastination on a priority task, commit to starting and doing just 2 minutes of it.

Procrastination often stems from perfectionism or feeling you don't have time to do it right; starting small overcomes this barrier.

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• Categorize tasks as '2 minutes or less' to motivate yourself to do them immediately rather than letting them pile up.1

Identify your peak energy window for difficult cognitive tasks and reserve other times for lighter work, letting your schedule ride your energy curve.

The schedule cannot fight your energy curve.

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If you have a hard time being disciplined and sticking with your goals, hold yourself accountable to others.

This is described as the ultimate solution for those struggling with discipline.

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Account for the small amount of time required by preparatory tasks like finding keys or putting on shoes, rather than assuming they take zero time.

The misconception that these activities take no time is false; the small amounts of time add up.

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Place a large font digital wall clock in a location you look at often to passively monitor time.

It helps you check the time without meaning to.

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Trick your brain into focusing by hiding your phone, clearing your desk, and using noise-canceling headphones.

Your environment often fails you before you try to focus.

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Focus on tasks that deepen relationships with one or two people rather than seeking party successes.

Party successes aren't useful rewards.

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Budget your time using a calendar, treating it as a finite resource that constantly decreases.

Time is finite like money.

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Avoid extreme work binges, as they lead to wasted time correcting errors later.

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Designate 'robot hours' for no-thought tasks like cleaning and replying, and 'boss fights' for strict, distraction-free sprints.

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Assign a specific podcast to each day of your exercise routine to help keep a consistent schedule.

Helps keep a schedule

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Use dice to choose your next task from a numbered list to overcome decision fatigue.

The dice choose for you, removing the burden of deciding.

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Communicate with managers about what you are doing and what you have done so your hard work is noticed.

Working hard without communicating means managers may not notice your effort.

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Write down work obligations and stressors on paper before entering a relaxation space.

This technique helps consciously put aside work thoughts so you can relax.

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Use a timer to create artificial urgency and externalize time if you struggle to grasp it internally.

It prevents losing track of time and creates pressure to finish tasks rather than letting work expand.

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Take occasional breaks for yourself to prevent burnout while maintaining a disciplined path.

Burnout is real.

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Create an hourly planner for weekends to maintain weekday routines.

This helps extend the routine established during the week.

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Plan your days when possible, but do not stress over uncompleted tasks; view completing even 50% of your plan as an achievement.

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Practice habits immediately after your shift ends, using a transition ritual like a nap, run, or coffee to switch modes.

this is when you are most likely to be free

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Schedule difficult work for your most energetic times, but avoid relying solely on impulse to prevent falling behind.

Doing only what you feel like risks falling behind.

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Restrict listening to your favorite podcast or audiobook exclusively to specific activities like cleaning or working out to create motivation to start those tasks.

It gives procrastinators a reason to complete the task rather than avoid it.

2 people, independently

Log time using a simple text file or notepad with keyboard shortcuts to avoid the friction and optimization traps of complex apps.

Simpler tracking systems encourage more honest usage.

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Keep tools for rewarding activities close to your workspace to make it easier to start them during downtime.

It is easier to grab an already prepared item than to go to another room and set things up.

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Focus on performing the activity itself rather than the results when starting a new habit.

Results come later.

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Outsource or cancel activities outside your top priorities to make time for key projects.

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Remove email notifications and counts from your home screen to avoid distraction.

Prevents the phone from drawing you in.

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Review a checklist of items you need just before leaving to remember important things you might otherwise forget.

It provides a minute to grab an important thing you'd otherwise forgotten.

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Avoid beating yourself up or using guilt to force productivity, as these methods are ineffective.

It is not effective.

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Focus on yourself by cutting back on other schedule commitments to fit in self-care.

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Learn classic time management methods.

It is described as great.

2 people, independently

Add one recurring commitment with external structure, such as a class, club, or volunteer role, to your free time.

Free time is formless and optional, whereas structured commitments have specific times and other people expecting you.

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Avoid spending more time planning your schedule than actually executing the tasks.

The brain tricks you into feeling productive while just organizing.

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Knock out quick tasks immediately after evaluating them to avoid re-evaluation costs and forgetting them later.

You have already interrupted your work to work out the task; doing it right away prevents it from being buried and helps build a reputation for getting stuff done.

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If you struggle with multitasking urges, try deleting social media and distracting games from your devices.

One person reported this helped a lot.

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Adopt the GTD system only if you are already highly organized and productive.

It is designed for people who are already super organized, putting their productivity on steroids.

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Stop mindlessly browsing online indefinitely.

Web browsing is an immense black hole in time spending.

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Set a consistent daily routine for important household duties.

Efficiency improves over time, potentially reducing completion time from all day to 2-3 hours after a month.

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Schedule short, specific periods for daily chores (e.g., 20 minutes tidying, dishes daily) so that relaxation feels earned.

Devoting short periods to tasks makes relaxation time well earned and deserved.

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Ask your pharmacy to schedule medication refills so they all occur at the same time.

This reduces the number of trips required to the pharmacy.

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Stop researching methods or seeking motivation and start doing the task immediately.

Seeking perfect strategies can be 'productive procrastination' driven by content creators wanting to hook you.

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Break projects into appropriately sized, bite-sized steps and focus on completing one step at a time.

Completing small bits ensures you always win and makes accomplishment easier.

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• Break large tasks into small, easily accomplishable steps and reward yourself after completing each step to reverse procrastination.1

Split your task list into four sections based on deadline proximity and personal value.

3 people, independently

• Update past calendar entries with the actual time tasks took to improve your estimation skills.1

One approach to getting through long, boring classes is to count down the remaining tracks on an album.

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Split overwhelming tasks into smaller, achievable parts and schedule them to relieve stress without compromising your routine.

Scheduling helps relieve stress.

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Set smaller, realistic targets and focus on one goal at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed and procrastinating.

Broad goals and setting too many goals lead to feeling overwhelmed, which causes procrastination and skipping tasks.

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Separate audio listening from physical tasks if you find that multitasking reduces retention or workout quality.

Doing two things at once often results in both being done worse than if performed individually.

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Dedicate a large block of time on Saturday or Sunday morning to plan your week in advance.

To ensure every available hour is used productively.

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Fill buffer time after arriving early with easily interruptible tasks like organizing emails or reading.

These activities can be paused when other people arrive.

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Accept partial tracking and start logging imperfect records immediately instead of abandoning the practice due to missing data.

Many people give up because they expect their initial record to be perfect.

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Keep things simple to reduce overanalyzing and excuses, leading to more action.

Keeping it simple equals less overanalyzing, which equals less excuses, which equals more action.

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Keep breaks non-stimulating by avoiding phones, websites, and videos so you can return to work immediately without losing focus.

Using stimulating devices during breaks ruins the next work session.

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Be aware that focusing heavily on podcasts during chores can lead to tasks being left half-done.

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Consider downgrading your lifestyle, such as moving from a three-bedroom house to a two-bedroom flat, to reduce work commitments.

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During short breaks, shut your computer and leave your desk to change your physical environment.

Changing your physical environment provides key separation from work for productivity.

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Read 'The Productivity Project' to learn specific tools for completing high-value tasks and killing procrastination.

The book provides specific tools for these goals.

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Track your productivity metrics.

What gets measured gets improved.

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Tie habits to anchors (like waking up) rather than fixed times to accommodate unpredictable schedules.

Accepting that consistency doesn't mean perfection makes it less stressful and more sustainable.

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Save favorite podcast episodes specifically for times when you have a backlog of cleaning or chores.

You will find yourself wanting to complete tasks like emptying the dishwasher to continue listening.

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Separate 'worker mode' from 'executive mode' by scheduling executive time separately and jotting down executive thoughts during work sessions for later review.

Giving into executive urges while working leads to micromanagement and interrupts flow.

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Create external accountability, such as an accountability partner, to stick to schedules during weekends or vacations.

Lack of outside accountability makes it hard to stick to set schedules when internal motivation fails.

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Avoid overcommitment.

Every “yes” costs focus.

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Assign yourself a specific future deadline to start a task so you can enjoy downtime guilt-free until that time arrives.

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• Set personal deadlines earlier than the actual ones to combat procrastination.3

Set a physical timer for five minutes of effort with no strings attached, allowing yourself to stop and do something else afterward.

3 people, independently

Curate a playlist of songs with similar short durations (around 3 minutes) to segment shower tasks, assigning one song per step.

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Customize your scheduling system to fit your personal needs rather than adopting a rigid schedule.

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Track your activities in a spreadsheet to use autosum functions for monitoring weekly progress without manual calculation.

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Say 'I won't do it' instead of 'I'll do it later' to reduce stress.

It reduces stress.

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Make time for what you really want instead of waiting to find it.

Time is not found; it is made when we truly desire something.

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Include time for friends in your schedule.

Otherwise, you will alienate them.

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Leave early or avoid stops that will cause you to be late rather than blaming coffee runs for tardiness.

Being late because you need coffee makes you appear irresponsible.

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Be ready ten minutes before your partner says they want to leave.

Partners often start getting antsy around that time.

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Learn to say no to requests.

Saying yes to everything can lead to burnout and wasting time on unnecessary things.

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• Say no more often to requests that do not align with your goals to protect your time fiercely.1

Accept that everyone needs days off and occasional missed sessions to avoid burnout.

We are only human and should not expect to be machines.

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Accept 90% quality instead of striving for 100% perfection to save time.

Achieving full 100% perfection might take very long.

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Do not create a 'to-don't' list.

It is considered a waste of time.

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Set multiple alarms to ensure you are not late.

Being annoyed is preferable to being late.

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Avoid relying on guilt or shame to motivate productivity; learn to accept wasted time instead.

Guilt and shame can be counterproductive.

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Use the boarding time instead of the departure time when planning flights.

One person found this saved them on several trips.

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Understand that people do not lack time, but rather the desire to make time for certain tasks.

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• Change the thought 'I don't have time' to 'I am not prioritizing this' to clarify your intent.3

Shift how you perceive time by giving it value, as this is where time management starts.

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Schedule important tasks explicitly because you must make time rather than have it.

If it's important and not scheduled, it won't happen.

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Focus on important long-term goals over urgent but less significant tasks, putting the latter on the backburner rather than ignoring them entirely.

Focusing on importance is crucial for future success.

2 people, independently

Choose a job with better work-life balance over higher pay, recognizing that time cannot be replenished like money.

Society pressures people to live miserable lives for the sake of appearing ambitious.

one person who lived it

Define success on your own terms and decline social events you do not want to attend.

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Show up to appointments, work, or school ten minutes early.

It acts as insurance against unexpected delays like parking issues or detours.

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If you face a limited lifespan or value your time highly, stop attending social obligations with people you do not genuinely like.

Knowing life is short makes enduring inane social events feel like unnecessary suffering.

one person who lived it

Avoid applying the 'it's not a priority' reframe to situations you cannot control, such as emergencies.

There are scenarios where actions are dictated by necessity rather than choice.

one person who lived it

If you are overwhelmed by too many tasks, accept the situation and focus on; the rest will organize itself.

Accepting the moment is inevitable and prioritizing causes things to get organized.

one person who lived it

Get ready for an outing long before you need to leave the house.

Getting ready takes longer than estimated and often involves unexpected interruptions like lost keys or outfit issues.

2 people, independently

Meditate on the brevity of life to gain clarity, then take responsibility for acting on those realizations.

It helps realizations come.

one person who lived it

Arrive exactly on time for job interviews.

HR professionals appreciate punctuality as it aligns with their schedules.

one person who lived it

Recognize that saying 'I didn't make it a priority' implies personal responsibility and honesty, whereas 'I didn't have time' is often an excuse passing blame.

Excuses are disliked because they pass blame; taking responsibility makes the reason more acceptable.

one person who lived it

Make the right connections, as this can trump everything else in career advancement if managed well.

one person who lived it

Do small tasks immediately to avoid the psychological burden of piling up work.

Piling up small tasks creates an unnecessary psychological burden.

one person who lived it

Schedule your priorities rather than just prioritizing what is already on your schedule.

one person who lived it

Reframe 'doing nothing' as preferring to work on things important to you rather than obligations imposed by others.

one person who lived it

Tell chronically late friends that an event starts earlier than it actually does, such as 30 minutes prior or adjusted by their typical lateness.

3 people, independently

Take solo bus or train rides to relax, think, read, listen to music, or people-watch.

It is relaxing and chill.

one person who lived it

Exercise at night if you feel more motivated then, as it can improve consistency.

For one person, it was a life changer that helped them complete three Tough Mudders.

one person who lived it

Volunteer to help people; one person found this keeps their mind off things and is enjoyable.

It helps keep your mind off things and it is nice to help people.

one person who lived it

Listen to audiobooks or podcasts during menial tasks like cooking, commuting, or cleaning to make them more enjoyable.

21 people, independently

• Listen to Harry Potter audiobooks while doing menial tasks like cleaning or dishes to immerse yourself in another world and make the work easier.1

Practice 'Muße' by doing nothing without trying to produce art or crafts, allowing your mind and soul to regenerate for mindfulness.

It allows the mind and soul to regenerate to get a state of mindfulness.

one person who lived it

Find a skill to master, such as music production, ecommerce, or gym.

It keeps you creative and makes you feel fulfilled when you go to sleep.

one person who lived it

After work, shut off your computer and take a walk or play with your dog instead of going straight to YouTube or gaming.

Taking tiny steps in the right direction every day goes a long way.

one person who lived it

Take up hands-on activities like mending or crafting if they provide pleasure and pride, regardless of time cost.

Creating and using what you make feeds your soul.

one person who lived it

Go to the gym with the mindset that you are just 'chilling' there rather than rushing, to overcome the urge to do nothing at home.

It helps when you would otherwise be home doing nothing; it leads to feeling accomplished.

one person who lived it

Allow yourself down days to relax and not be productive.

It is okay to have such days.

2 people, independently

Volunteer to find personal reward and network with new people.

It is a rewarding way to meet people and start networking.

one person who lived it

Join a sports team or fitness hobby to combine social interaction with exercise.

Staying fit benefits you later in life and helps you talk to others.

2 people, independently

Change your mindset about audiobooks from being read to, to listening to a performance.

This secret helps you enjoy them more.

one person who lived it

Listen and agree when friends complain about their problems instead of trying to fix them immediately.

They often just want to vent rather than receive help fixing the problem.

2 people, independently

Paint and draw.

The author enjoyed spending hours doing this in the summer.

one person who lived it

Build in fun activities, distinct from self-care.

Fun is fun.

one person who lived it

If you need to take your mind off work, listen to stand-up comedy.

The stories help distract from work thoughts.

one person who lived it

Read books during idle time when there is nothing else to do.

It is a great alternative to having nothing to do.

one person who lived it

Practice solving a Rubik's cube to pass time on long journeys.

It passes time for some people.

one person who lived it

Designate a specific audiobook to listen to only while exercising to build anticipation for workouts.

The restriction creates excitement to start the activity.

3 people, independently

Use walks, stretches, or exercise to reset your brain.

Movement improves focus more than coffee.

one person who lived it

Join fitness classes to force interaction with others and get to know them.

Otherwise, you may isolate yourself in your room and repeat the same negative patterns next year.

one person who lived it

Quiet your mind and rest, recognizing that you are doing enough.

one person who lived it

Be kind to your future self by doing things now so they don't have to, or by resting now so you can get sleep.

one person who lived it

Find small hobbies that fit between the cracks of a busy schedule if you are working two jobs.

Anything bigger isn't really feasible when you're working 2 jobs.

one person who lived it

Take up low-commitment activities like window shopping to get fresh air, and do not feel guilty about relaxing on days off.

It lets you get out of your apartment and get some fresh air.

one person who lived it

Practice a foreign language by describing your surroundings in your head.

This helps identify gaps in existing vocabulary and learn practical words from daily life.

one person who lived it

Complete necessary tasks before having fun to add to your enjoyment of leisure time.

You'll enjoy your fun time more

one person who lived it

If your room is distracting, move to a boring area like the kitchen or stay near family to force focus.

A boring environment helps you preoccupied yourself with work without leaving the area.

one person who lived it

Place a TV and gaming console in front of your stationary bike to make long exercise sessions pass unnoticed.

One person played games for about two hours without feeling like they were exercising.

one person who lived it

Avoid routines that leave no room for spontaneous activities like going for a drink or watching a film.

Such routines are easily broken.

one person who lived it

Try different activities you have never done before to see what makes you tick; if you like it, keep doing it.

3 people, independently

If you experience diminishing returns from overworking, take breaks and switch to related but less intense activities.

Doing it all day can ruin your work.

one person who lived it

Set up hobby materials the night before so they are ready to go.

Sitting down can kill motivation.

one person who lived it

Treat exercise as a non-negotiable need, like oxygen or water.

It helps with everything.

one person who lived it

Meditate to relax and reduce stress.

It is very relaxing.

one person who lived it

Replace doomscrolling during downtime with engaging games.

It allows you to experience good games you may have missed out on.

one person who lived it

Get outside during your last free summer before starting a standard work routine, even if just to read on a bench.

To avoid wasting your final period of freedom before entering a grind where summer vacation no longer exists.

one person who lived it

Go outside, relax, and allow yourself to be bored intentionally.

It makes work seem more enjoyable by contrast.

one person who lived it

Start listening to 'Art of Charm' and 'Art of Manliness' podcasts to pique interest.

To pique interest.

one person who lived it

Stop caring about getting faster or lifting heavier, and give yourself space to just enjoy movement.

It becomes more fun, leading to greater happiness and more consistent activity than ever before.

one person who lived it

Secure uninterrupted workout time by using a gym with childcare or dropping children off at daycare early.

This provides social time for the child and dedicated time for yourself to work out.

one person who lived it

Listen to baseball on the radio as background noise while doing other things.

It serves well as background noise for multitasking.

one person who lived it

Join school clubs to discover new hobbies.

You may find interests you were previously unaware of.

one person who lived it

Pursue outdoor sports like running, biking, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, or surfing.

Sport is a useful hobby that takes up time and benefits your body.

one person who lived it

Vary the radio stations you listen to.

Hearing the same material repeatedly can have the opposite effect of what is intended.

one person who lived it

Write using noise-cancelling headphones and non-distracting background sounds like rain or classical music.

These sounds help prevent distraction from writing.

one person who lived it

Explain imaginary arguments to yourself to reinforce stances and find flaws.

It helps you identify weaknesses in your position.

one person who lived it

Look to your own past experiences to determine what activities and times help you relax.

You know yourself best.

one person who lived it

Listen to podcasts when bored to spark interest in subjects for further exploration.

It can lead to finding out more about the subject.

one person who lived it

Join groups or jam with others to push skills and overcome ruts through fear and accountability.

Fear and accountability are strong motivators.

one person who lived it

Listen to inspiring speeches or TED Talks while exercising to distract yourself from fatigue.

The distraction helps you not notice that you are tired.

one person who lived it

Recognize that doing nothing is important for 'diffused thinking'.

These times are for diffused thinking.

one person who lived it

Listen to a Harry Potter podcast while cooking to make the activity feel like you are cooking at Hogwarts, increasing your desire to cook.

It makes you feel like you’re cooking at Hogwarts, which increases the desire to cook dinner more often.

one person who lived it

Start a new hobby, such as sports or exploring, to fill free time.

3 people, independently

• Find a new hobby you really enjoy, such as climbing, to pass time and get a workout.1

Keep yourself busy with multiple activities to maintain motivation and avoid boredom.

Having less to do can lead to doing even less until you are bored; having many tasks makes scheduling easier.

one person who lived it

Exercise and stretch regularly.

Stretching is described as absolutely crucial.

one person who lived it

Choose a hobby you reserve exclusively for weekends to build anticipation during the workweek.

It creates excitement and makes you look forward to the weekend.

one person who lived it

Purposefully keep yourself unplugged and bored instead of lounging and scrolling.

Feeling unplugged and bored results in feeling much better than lounging and scrolling.

one person who lived it

Volunteer for community service to fill free time with low-commitment, meaningful activity.

It feels delightful.

2 people, independently

Listen to podcasts while walking the dog to make the activity enjoyable and encourage longer walks.

one person who lived it

Reward yourself with ten minutes of leisure, such as gaming, after accomplishing tasks to emphasize the achievement.

Accomplishing things already feels good; this reinforces it.

one person who lived it

Reading this post made one person put down their phone and go jogging.

one person who lived it

Reframe leisure by recognizing that time spent enjoying yourself is not wasted.

one person who lived it

Try drawing with fountain pens.

It provides a sense of achievement and visible improvement.

one person who lived it

Cut off social media, TVs, and phones to reset from overstimulation.

You are probably over stimulated.

one person who lived it

Invest in high-quality gear for tasks you perform frequently to prevent pain.

one person who lived it

Use a deluxe, adults-only gym changing room if available to avoid overstimulation from children and allow flexible workout times.

It reduces concern about being overstimulated by kids coming to or from swimming lessons.

one person who lived it

Analyze why you consume certain content and transition from being an observer to creating your own content.

one person who lived it

Replace time spent scrolling with productive activities such as hobbies, exercise, reading, meditation, or spending time with friends.

7 people, independently

Stop engaging in relaxation activities that become stressful or feel like chores.

Activities intended for relaxation can become more stressful than actual household chores.

one person who lived it

Ride bikes for therapeutic exercise.

It is therapeutic and provides good exercise.

one person who lived it

Stop using audiobooks if you find yourself constantly rewinding because your attention is divided.

Attention was needed elsewhere, causing missed content.

one person who lived it

Repeat a choice until it rewires you, rather than waiting for motivation.

one person who lived it

Focus fully on the activity you are doing during relaxation instead of multitasking.

Being in the moment allows you to fully enjoy the activity.

one person who lived it

Discard societal definitions of normal and focus on what works for your individual life.

one person who lived it

Stand up, open a window, refill water, or do squats during breaks to return feeling fresher without distraction.

Physical refreshment avoids the distraction of digital activities.

one person who lived it

Practice moderation in everything, including the practice of moderation itself.

one person who lived it

Treat exercise as meditative 'me time' to focus on the activity without thinking about work or other obligations.

one person who lived it

Walk instead of driving for short distances unless you are in a time crunch.

It saves gas and car wear while providing enjoyment of the surroundings.

one person who lived it

Leave your home 15 to 20 minutes earlier than planned.

This accounts for potential travel issues like car trouble or road works.

one person who lived it

Avoid driving long distances to save negligible amounts on gas.

The fuel cost and time spent often exceed the savings.

one person who lived it

Use cruise control at a steady speed (e.g., 70 mph) while listening to podcasts instead of driving aggressively with loud music to improve fuel efficiency.

One person reported improving average MPG from 26 to 32 by switching from aggressive driving at 80-85+ mph to cruising at 70 mph.

one person who lived it

Use earphones when watching shows or playing games on public transport.

It prevents disturbing others who do not care for your audio content.

one person who lived it

Treat your commute as personal time to stress down and be alone with yourself, rather than trying to get the most from productivity.

Not everyone has the opportunity for uninterrupted time away from others.

one person who lived it

• Train yourself to treat commute time as personal relaxation time rather than a punishment.1

View other vehicles as moving obstacles rather than personifying the drivers.

It is easier to avoid stress this way.

one person who lived it

Leave earlier than necessary to reduce stress and make driving more enjoyable.

Being ahead of time makes red lights matter less, reducing stress.

one person who lived it

Move close enough to commute by bicycle to save on parking, traffic time, and gym memberships while getting exercise.

Biking is surprisingly fast compared to driving.

one person who lived it

Drink water regularly during long commutes to stay hydrated.

People often forget to drink enough water, which can lead to headaches.

one person who lived it

One person reported staying alert while driving by constantly thinking about sex.

Arousal kept him alert.

one person who lived it

Upgrade your car stereo to higher fidelity to reduce ear fatigue and irritability during long commutes.

Listening to music on bad equipment fatigues ears and increases tiredness/irritability; clean audio can delay fatigue.

one person who lived it

Leave earlier the next day if unexpected traffic caused delays today.

This prevents getting stuck in traffic again.

one person who lived it

Incorporate exercise into your commute to use travel time that would otherwise be spent traveling.

It uses time you would be traveling anyway.

one person who lived it

Listen to audiobooks or podcasts about your interests during commutes to stay productive.

Driving and reading are not compatible.

one person who lived it

Time tasks around Super Bowl halftime or significant score changes if working in retail, as these trigger customer rushes.

one person who lived it

Do not chase sales across town or wait in long lines for minor savings like gas.

The inconvenience isn't worth it.

one person who lived it

• Avoid driving to multiple stores across the city to save a few cents on products.1

Spend money on hiring help for tasks you dislike rather than buying luxury items, so you can spend time doing things you love.

Your time is more valuable.

one person who lived it

Skip searching for coupons if the cost of the source material exceeds the potential savings.

It may not be worth the effort.

one person who lived it

If you enjoy the process of fixing discarded furniture, focus on that satisfaction over the financial efficiency of buying used or new.

The author preferred spending a weekend fixing an old cedar chest rather than working extra hours to buy a new one.

one person who lived it

Pay for services like landscaping or housekeeping to buy back time for your own choices.

It allows you to spend time on whatever you choose.

one person who lived it

Guard your attention as you would money.

Your attention is precious.

one person who lived it

Stop comparing unit prices on minor differences if your time is worth more than the potential savings.

Your time is worth more than the small amount saved.

one person who lived it

Avoid flipping items from Craigslist or selling hobbies on Etsy if the hourly wage after expenses is low.

It can be a waste of precious time.

one person who lived it

View DIY tasks as valuable opportunities for learning rather than just a cost of time.

It is considered time well spent on acquiring knowledge.

2 people, independently

If small savings are your primary concern, invest that time into improving job skills or learning instead.

one person who lived it

Avoid extreme frugal measures like spending excessive hours clipping coupons for small savings.

It is not time well spent.

one person who lived it

Invest in a robot vacuum only if vacuuming is a pain point; skip it if you do not mind the task.

If you do not mind vacuuming, buying a robot vacuum is a waste of money.

one person who lived it

Spend years grinding in one industry to become skilled and gain opportunities, rather than switching jobs frequently.

Switching jobs every year leaves you good at nothing; staying in one field makes you better and brings more money and opportunities.

one person who lived it

Learn financial literacy early, focusing on saving and investing.

It helps to understand these concepts when you are young.

one person who lived it

Accept lower pay in exchange for better work hours to preserve time for friends, hobbies, and art.

2 people, independently

Take short courses in practical skills like driving, cooking, repair, or sewing to save money and live independently.

These skills help you do things on your own without buying everything.

one person who lived it

Value the satisfaction of doing tasks yourself as a reason to spend time, even if it costs more in hourly wages.

The satisfaction is described as priceless.

one person who lived it

Avoid being penny-wise and pound-foolish by missing large expenses while obsessing over small ones.

People often count pennies and dimes while missing dollar bills.

one person who lived it

Focus on magnitude of savings rather than percentage savings when deciding where to shop.

Focusing on percentages can lead to ignoring smaller % savings that are larger in absolute terms.

one person who lived it

Start looking for a different job now if your current one leaves you drained and stuck, as some jobs just aren't worth it.

one person who lived it

Do not switch to cheap cat litter if it requires frequent deep cleaning of the litter box.

Cheap litter can get stuck everywhere, turning deep cleaning into a weekly chore.

one person who lived it

Focus on spending time with family over working solely to afford material goods.

Missing out on family time undermines the purpose of providing for them.

one person who lived it

Replace mindless web surfing or TV watching with frugal activities if you have excess free time.

Every minute spent acting frugal is considered time well spent.

one person who lived it

Stop bringing work home or working unpaid overtime unless compensated or recognized.

There is no reason to spend personal time working when not being paid or recognized for doing so.

one person who lived it

Stop sewing clothes to save money if the hobby becomes more expensive than buying ready-made clothing.

Sewing can become an expensive hobby due to costs of fabrics and unfinished projects.

one person who lived it

Value the benefits of self-reliance, skill improvement, and working with your hands alongside financial savings.

These aspects have intrinsic value beyond money.

one person who lived it

Perform tasks yourself if you enjoy the process and skill development, even if paying someone else is cheaper.

The personal satisfaction and progress can outweigh the financial logic.

one person who lived it

Book paid workout classes so the financial penalty for skipping motivates you to attend.

The charge incurred by not going serves as motivation.

one person who lived it

Pay a shop to change your oil to avoid buying tools, save time, handle disposal, and get a check of other car systems.

Saves time on tool acquisition and disposal; provides preventative maintenance checks.

one person who lived it

If you are short on money, perform bodyweight exercises.

It is a low-cost alternative for those with limited financial resources.

one person who lived it

Avoid buying into consumerism for the latest items to help your finances.

Not buying into consumerism can really help financially.

one person who lived it

Explore communities focused on financial independence and simple living for strategies on buying back your time.

Many people use these approaches to reclaim more of their time.

one person who lived it

Calculate the cost of analysis paralysis by assigning your own salary rate to the time spent agonizing over small purchases.

This helped one person decide faster.

one person who lived it

Practice purposefulness so that earning does not simply outstrip yearning.

one person who lived it

Listen to language learning podcasts like 'Coffee Break Languages' for short lessons.

They teach basic conversations in short episodes that build useful pieces of knowledge.

one person who lived it

Speed up recorded college class lectures when cramming for tests to save valuable time.

It saves a lot of valuable time.

one person who lived it

Set video resolution to HD 1080p or maximum when learning software programs to see menus clearly.

Higher resolution allows you to see the menus properly.

one person who lived it

Hire professional movers instead of asking friends for help as you acquire more belongings.

Moving with friends causes stress from family dynamics, tempers, and fatigue, and becomes inconvenient for friends as households grow.

one person who lived it

Hire professionals for specialized tasks like electrical work, as experts possess esoteric knowledge that is hard to replicate.

Experts have years of experience and knowledge that is second nature.

one person who lived it

Hire professionals for drywall repair.

Professionals are better, faster, and avoid interpersonal conflict over who does the work.

one person who lived it

Hire professionals for exterior house painting.

It reduces physical strain and relationship stress.

one person who lived it

Hire certified professionals for electrical and plumbing work to avoid safety risks, liability, and costly mistakes.

Untrained attempts can cause serious injury, death, or property damage; professionals carry insurance.

one person who lived it

Focus on experiences and relationships over material possessions, as shared memories last a lifetime.

Memories from activities like playing music or traveling with friends and family last a lifetime.

one person who lived it

Avoid frugal behaviors that inconvenience others to protect your social capital.

Social capital is crucial.

one person who lived it

Save digital memories locally as well as online to ensure they survive platform failures.

Social media crashes and tech infrastructure is unreliable.

one person who lived it

Use digital tools for scheduling and notes to ensure flexibility, easy access, and backup.

Notes and schedules are more flexible, easily accessible for reference, and can be backed up to outlast physical device destruction.

one person who lived it

Focus on relationships and social connections, as longitudinal studies indicate they are key to long-term happiness.

one person who lived it

Buy rotisserie chickens instead of raw whole chickens to save time and stress.

They provide flavor with no preparation work.

one person who lived it

Have a bonfire to burn old exam papers and books that hold memories you want to discard.

It is okay to burn items you wish to get rid of along with their associated memories.

one person who lived it

Buy items at nearby pharmacies like CVS instead of driving long distances to larger stores for small needs.

Avoids long drives for few items.

one person who lived it

Bake cakes at home for special occasions to save money compared to buying them.

It is cheaper than buying them.

one person who lived it

Floss teeth while stopped in traffic or parked by keeping floss sticks convenient.

Having them convenient means you use them when you should.

one person who lived it

Buy washable rugs and a good vacuum to simplify floor cleaning.

saves so much work when you're cleaning

one person who lived it

Keep sandwich components in the fridge and assemble them during lunch.

It removes the worry of preparing lunch in the morning.

one person who lived it

• Freeze pre-made sandwiches with mayo to have them ready by lunchtime.1

Store an emergency frozen pizza in the freezer to save money compared to ordering takeout.

It is cheaper than takeout.

one person who lived it

Find community by connecting with people however you can.

Community is so important.

one person who lived it

Cook or bake goods to share with others.

People generally appreciate receiving baked goods.

one person who lived it

Build secret stashes, such as hidden compartments in books or card decks.

It provides a fun and satisfying feeling upon completion.

one person who lived it

Draw.

Drawing is awesome.

one person who lived it

Pack your lunch, prepare breakfast, shower, and lay out clothes the night before so you can leave quickly in the morning.

5 people, independently

Cook in the microwave and use paper plates to save money on utilities and dishwashing supplies.

It reduces costs for heating water, dish soap, and running the dishwasher.

one person who lived it

Cook in large batches to create leftovers for the weekend or subsequent days.

3 people, independently

Order groceries online for delivery to avoid in-store shopping.

3 people, independently

Listen to epic movie soundtracks or uplifting trance music during workouts to feel a sense of grandeur.

It makes you feel like you are saving the world or gives you an urge to conquer obstacles.

one person who lived it

Listen to science podcasts like Ologies for engaging, hour-long interviews with experts.

It is described as such fun.

one person who lived it

Include pleasurable activities like hanging out with friends or watching porn in your schedule to remove the feeling that the time is wasted.

Acknowledging these activities as pleasurable removes the guilt of 'wasted' time.

one person who lived it

Watch classic movies for easy entertainment that is not entirely mindless.

They are good by industry standards and easy enough to enjoy.

one person who lived it

Acknowledge that hyper-stimulating media like smartphones and video games compete with sports for attention.

These high-payoff media have done damage to sports viewership.

one person who lived it

Accept that rest, entertainment, and fun are essential parts of a productive life rather than striving for constant productivity.

one person who lived it

Do not make household products from scratch if the process takes more than three steps or two hours.

The labor involved in procuring ingredients, execution, and cleanup makes paying for convenience worthwhile.

one person who lived it

Skip making your own oat milk if you cannot replicate the frothing quality of commercial blends.

It is not worth the effort if you can't achieve the desired texture.

one person who lived it

• Do not make homemade oat milk if it does not taste like regular milk and you prefer commercial brands.1

Do not bake bread at home solely to save money unless you eat it frequently enough to justify the time.

Homemade bread lacks preservatives and does not last long, requiring constant baking to maintain supply.

one person who lived it

Grow your own vegetables for better taste and hobby enjoyment.

Homegrown produce, especially tomatoes, often tastes better than store-bought.

one person who lived it

Do difficult tasks when your energy is highest and save low-effort chores for when you are tired.

You have limited hours of best energy; aligning tasks with peak focus allows for better decisions and greater accomplishment.

one person who lived it

View caffeine and energy drinks as temporary fixes.

They are not long-term solutions.

one person who lived it

Start with habits like working out that improve sleep quality to address low energy.

Improving sleep quality addresses the problem of having no energy.

one person who lived it

Maintain increased productivity over time rather than expecting immediate results.

Most people notice when you increase productivity, but sustained effort is required.

one person who lived it

Use efficiency to balance productivity and downtime so you have more time for other activities and avoid burnout.

Being efficient with time provides better balance and prevents feeling burnt out.

one person who lived it

Cultivate habits that specifically improve your chosen future rather than building habits for their own sake.

one person who lived it