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The 3 daily habits that can save you hundreds of hours

BethAnn Mayer
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How many times have you uttered the phrase, “There aren’t enough hours in the day?”

People feel busier than ever these days, and it’s put us on a quest to save time. The truth is, we’re not actually busier than we were in the 1960s and 1980s. Many modern factors may contribute to our false sense of business, such as the rise of technology and the ability to send work emails during leisure times, including vacation.

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Even though the idea that we’ve never been so busy appears to be false, the bottom line is people value their time and want to spend it doing activities they love. Hence, the desire to streamline our lives and optimize every hour of the day. There are a few small daily habits that save time. Here are three.

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Make a to-do list

Creating a list of all the tasks you need or want to complete on a given day may take a bit of time, but it can also help you save it. You’re more likely to remain focused and motivated to work efficiently when you know what you need to do. Once you’ve tackled your to-do list, you’ll find you have more free time to head out with co-workers after-hours or go home and relax.

Though the Notes app on your phone is suitable, consider going old-fashioned by using paper and pencil. Studies show taking notes by hand helps us remember the material better. If you don’t even have to look at your to-do list to remember what’s on it, that can save you time, too (and prevent you from getting distracted by unopened texts or social media notifications).

Though to-do lists are helpful, a recent survey showed three to five people don’t get everything done on theirs. If you’re one of them, it may be a sign you need to prioritize and cut out less important tasks. For example, you may be able to delegate responding to unsolicited sales pitches to someone you supervise. Doing so can get you back on track and save you time in the long run. You can set a limit on the number of items on your list each day, such as three.

Have bags packed and ready to go

Quick: Where’s your wallet? Keys? Makeup? If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling to find something you need before heading out the door, you know how stressful it can be. It can also waste precious minutes you could spend commuting and arriving on time. Streamline the process of getting out the door by taking a few moments the night before to pre-pack bags with whatever you’ll need. Having a separate makeup bag at the ready at all times with the products you typically need to complete your look can also help.

One more tip: Keep your bag in the same place every night, such as on the doorknob to a hallway coat closet, so you don’t spend time looking for it the next day.

a person holding up an iPhone
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Put your phone on do not disturb

Our phones keep us connected, but it’s possible to be too connected to too many people, networks, brands, and news organizations. Constant notifications from group chats, brands about sales, the media about breaking news, and Facebook about new likes on your photos can be distracting and cause you to waste time. In 2019, scientists identified phones as a reason why people in Australia were less productive and more tired.

If you’re procrastinating at work or texting friends instead of running errands, it could prevent you from lounging on your couch later. Save time by putting your phone on “do not disturb.” If you are concerned you’ll miss an important call, you can update preferences to ensure that calls from specific people are allowed to go through.

Developing daily habits that save time can help you feel less busy and stressed. Creating a to-do list can help you become more efficient and productive at work and home, keeping you on task and freeing up time for leisure. Having bags ready to go the night before or always stocked with essentials, such as lipstick and a wallet, can prevent last-minute stressors, like not being able to find something. From text messages to breaking news, phone notifications can distract us, causing us to waste time rather than save it. Putting your phone on do not disturb can mitigate this issue and ensure you maximize your time.

These steps are small and effective, but you may need to go bigger if you’re worried about burnout. Consider speaking with your employer to prioritize tasks, reduce long hours, and cut down on social activities that no longer serve you.

BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.

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BethAnn Mayer
BethAnn Mayer
Contributor
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
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