8 Effective ways to find the extra hours you need in your working week

Time is perhaps the most valuable commodity any individual or organisation can own. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to buy and difficult to bargain for.

Once you realise how precious time really is, your entire attitude towards it will change. For example, you’ll seek it out in every which way possible, starting with the following time hacks for a better working week.

1. Wake up earlier

Although sleep is incredibly important to our health and well-being, consider waking and getting up earlier. Even 30 minutes can make a huge difference and make you realise that unnecessary sleep is just wasted time.

2. Complete tasks one at a time

On any given day, there is a good chance you’ll have a number of tasks competing for your attention. However, it makes sense to complete tasks one at a time. Improve your ability to focus and concentrate by reducing distractions.

3. Work towards targets

If you’re struggling to single-task, give yourself deadlines and due dates. “Success demands singleness of purpose,” says Gary Keller, author of The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results. “You need to be doing fewer things for more effect instead of doing more things with side effects.”

4. Adopt a proactive approach

By adopting a proactive approach, you’ll be in charge of your own destiny and can take the initiative in your direction. If you’ve got a reactive mind-set, you’ll let events out of your control set the agenda.

5. Learn how to time-block

Time-blocking can help you avoid distractions, procrastination, and unproductive multitasking. Schedule enough time for each task and try not to overrun.

6. Plan the night before

From organising clothes to scheduling tasks, planning the night before is a great time-saver. Physically write out your to-do list before going to bed and you’ll get a stress-free sleep too.

7. Step away from your inbox

Don’t worry about every email that arrives in your inbox. According to Jocelyn K. Glei, the author of Unsubscribe, checking emails throughout the day might make you feel productive, but the opposite is true.

8. Limit social media activity

Minutes can turn into hours on social media. So, set rules for when and how often you check your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram feeds. Also, consider turning off notifications during the day.