8 Simple Habits That Save Me 20+ Hours a Week

Time management is simple yet often overcomplicated. By incorporating a few simple habits into your life, you can save a significant amount of time. Consistently practicing these habits will yield remarkable results and make it feel like playing a video game with cheat codes.

Using a calendar helps with time management and prevents forgetting important events. Level one involves scheduling appointments, while level two includes intentionally blocking out time for tasks. Level three is about creating an ideal week schedule to bridge the gap between intentions and reality.

The core thesis of the book is how to make work generate energy instead of draining it. Time management is important, but generating positive emotions and feeling good are key to having the energy to use time effectively.

Habit number three is called the adventure habit. The idea is to ask yourself every day what is the most important task you need to get done. Focus your time and energy on that one thing. Limit it to just one task that would make a big difference in your life, whether it's work-related or personal. Instead of thinking of tasks, think of today's adventure and approach your work with a playful mindset. Give yourself up to three optional side quests in different areas like work, health, and relationships for balance.

Employees waste around 22 to 28% of their work day on distractions and task switching. This amounts to three months wasted per year and a whole decade over a career. Being able to focus without interruptions is crucial for saving time and using energy efficiently.

The rapid action habit is about responding quickly to new information and making changes in our lives. It's important not to constantly jump from one thing to another, but most people spend too much time stuck in their old actions. Acting immediately on new ideas can save a lot of time and make a big difference in our lives.

Treating different activities as experiments in life can help improve productivity and overall well-being. By experimenting with various strategies, such as the ideal week or different workout routines, individuals can assess their cognitive and emotional responses to determine what works best for them. It is important to prioritize feeling good while engaging in consistent activities rather than relying solely on discipline or grit.

The alignment habit is about being intentional with how we use our time. It involves regularly reflecting on our goals and direction. Setting goals creates a direction to move in, and reviewing them every three months helps ensure they are still aligned with priorities. A weekly review helps track progress and prioritize tasks.

Habit number eight is the delegation habit. It's about identifying tasks that you don't need to do and can delegate to others. Assessing the value of your time helps determine what tasks are worth delegating. Delegating frees up time for things you love, give you energy, and excel at.