Simple ways to reclaim time in your day

(NC) With twenty-four hours in a day, there should, theoretically, be enough time to get things done. In reality, balancing a good night’s sleep with the demands of work, running a household, family obligations and trying to get some ‘me-time’ in between can make the day fly by without checking all items off your to-do list. If you’re looking to get the most out of each hour of the day, here are four things to get you started.

Reclaim gap time. Gap times are breaks between meaningful activities where it doesn’t seem like there is enough time to start something new. These are the times where we often scroll on our phones absent-mindedly or turn on the TV. Instead, use this time to check one chore off the to-do list, read a chapter of a book or respond to some emails.

Delegate or automate. Consider delegating tasks to colleagues and family or finding platforms that can automate them. For business owners, a secure, cloud-based accounting program such as FreshBooks can help track expenses, issue invoices and follow up on unpaid accounts, putting more time back into your day.

Limit distractions. Turn off or silence notifications so that the constant ping doesn’t divert your attention from the task at hand. Instead, set breaks where you can check and respond to these and limit the amount of time spent on your device.

Don’t be afraid to say no. Set boundaries and know your limits when it comes to agreeing to tasks and activities. Instead of giving an immediate ‘yes’, take time to think it through and make sure it aligns with your calendar and priorities.

Find more ways to take back time in your day at freshbooks.com.