You have 168 hours a week. Make them count Aug 19
We all know that one person who seems to get everything done. They’re successful, energized, and always on top of their game. It’s easy to think they have some secret, but the reality is simpler: they’ve learned to use their time efficiently.
The good news? You have the exact same 24 hours in a day as they do. Every morning you wake up is a clean slate, a fresh start to take control of your day and direct your life where you want it to go.
This isn’t just another to-do list. This is a three-part system to help you master your time. We’ll look at how you’re currently spending your time, how to find more of it, and how to use it efficiently.
Part 1: Find out where your time is really going
We live in an age of constant distraction, which means we have to be ruthless about auditing our time. The first step is to get an honest look at your week.
For one week, track your daily activities and multiply each by seven to see the weekly total.
- Internet & TV: __ hours x 7 = ___
- Work or school: __ hours x 7 = ___
- Socializing: __ hours x 7 = ___
- Family- or partner time: __ hours x 7 = ___
- Working out: __ hours x 7 = ___
- Reading: __ hours x 7 = ___
- Sleeping: __ hours x 7 = ___
- Cooking and eating: __ hours x 7 = ___
- Commuting: __ hours x 7 = ___
- Other: __ hours x 7 = ___
Now, add up your totals and subtract that number from 168 (the total number of hours in a week).
168 - [Your weekly total] = ___
That final number shows you the gap—the time you might not even realize you have. Next, look at your list and identify the biggest time-wasters, the activities that aren’t contributing to your goals. This could be binge-watching a series or endlessly scrolling through social media.
You don’t have to eliminate these things entirely. Instead, set clear limits. Using a browser extension like StayFocusd can help you cap your time on certain websites. Limiting X, Reddit or Facebook to just 10 minutes a day, for example, can make you more focused and intentional with your time there.
Part 2: How to create more time
Once you know where your time goes, you can start to reclaim it.
Optimize your sleep
Waking up early can have a massive impact, giving you focused time to work on yourself and your biggest goals. The key isn’t justwaking up early, but waking up right. Our bodies sleep in 90-minute cycles. You’ll feel more refreshed waking up after 6 or 7.5 hours than after 8, because you’re waking up between cycles, not during one.
To make this a habit:
- Go to bed at the same time every night.
- Wake up gradually earlier. If your goal is 6 am, start with 7:50 am, then 7:40 am, and so on.
You might feel an energy drop for the first few weeks as your body adjusts, but a quick 20-30 minute power nap can help you push through.
Reclaim your “dead time”
Dead time is time spent on activities you can’t avoid, but that don’t require your full attention, like commuting, grocery shopping, or even working out.
This is your opportunity to multitask productively. Use this time to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, or even learn a new language with an app like Duolingo. It’s about adding value to time you’re already committed to spending.
Part 3: How to use your time efficiently
Now that you’ve found more time, here’s how to make the most of it.
Set clear goals
Goals act like the lens of a camera: without focus, the picture is blurry. If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, it’s easy to waste time by accident.
Keep it simple. Set 3-5 major goals for the next year in the most important areas of your life (work, health, personal growth, etc.). Phrase them as if you’ve already achieved them. For example: “I have completed my beginner Spanish course by December 1st.”
Find your high-leverage activities
The Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule, states that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts. To find your 20%, ask yourself:
- “If I could only do one thing all day, which task would add the most value toward my goal?”
- Then ask, “What would be the second most valuable task?” And the third?
These are your high-leverage activities.
Build powerful rituals
Your morning ritual sets the tone for your entire day. It should be built from the high-leverage activities you just defined. If your goal is to start a blog, your ritual might be to write for 30-60 minutes every morning.
A few tips to make your morning ritual even better:
- Drink water. Your body is dehydrated after 6-8 hours of sleep.
- Get a small win. Do something simple but productive, like making your bed, to build momentum.
- Exercise. Any physical activity can kickstart your day and boost your energy.
Don’t forget a night ritual, too. An hour before bed, turn off all your electronics for a “tech detox.” Read a book, talk with your partner, and reflect on the day. Benjamin Franklin famously asked himself, “What good have I done today?”
Delegate, eliminate, and automate
You don’t have to do everything yourself. This approach is a key part of many productivity systems, including David Allen’s popular Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology. Look at all your tasks that are not high-leverage activities and ask:
- Can I delegate this to someone else?
- Can I eliminate this entirely?
- Can this be automated?
Work in focused bursts
The Pomodoro Technique is a simple but effective way to stay focused. You work in a 25-minute sprint, then take a 5-minute break. This keeps your mind fresh and helps you stay highly effective.
For your most important tasks, block out time in your calendar and treat it like a meeting with yourself. This is your time for deep, focused work without interruptions.
Learn to say no
Protecting your time often means saying “no.” Say no to meetings without a clear purpose or outcome. Say no to checking your email first thing in the morning; finish your ritual first.
Most importantly, say no to things that don’t support your goals. Remember, you aren’t saying “no” to others—you’re saying “yes” to yourself and what truly matters.
Be consistent, not perfect
Things will not always go according to plan. You’ll have inefficient days, and you’ll get interrupted. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s consistency.
Once a week, take 30 minutes to review what was productive and what wasn’t. Double down on what worked and try to eliminate what didn’t.
Focus on the hour in front of you and make it count. Start with one or two of these techniques, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.