A few months back, I realised I was doing a lot, but not necessarily moving the needle where it mattered.
I’d been juggling so many things – meetings, projects, personal goals – yet felt like I was spinning my wheels. The harsh truth was that I needed to take more control over my time with some proven time management hacks.
So, I decided to overhaul my approach.
I carved out a morning, grabbed a coaching chart I’d created, and went through each key area of my life: health, environment, personal development, career, finance, and more.
I scored myself honestly, then set small actions to improve those scores and made a plan that has kept me moving forward, not just in overwhelming circles.
I joined a gym, committed to core conditioning classes twice a week, joined a netball team, and even started using a Zoe programme to take control of my health.
For my business, I zeroed in on three things that would really make a difference: 1) creating a newsletter, 2) finishing our insights quizzes, and 3) signing up for three different paid networking events that keep me accountable and get me ‘out-there.’
Now, every Friday, I take five to ten minutes to jot down my scores, giving myself a clear sense of what’s on track and what needs tweaking.
Let’s dig into the time management hacks I’ve found most helpful and how time management coaching can make all the difference in staying on top of your goals.
1. Time-blocking: set boundaries around your time
One of the first shifts I made was time-blocking. Instead of a huge to-do list, I broke down tasks into dedicated blocks of time. This way, I’m focused on one task rather than splitting my attention across many. It’s like bringing a laser focus to your day.
Try it out: Schedule two-hour blocks in your day where you only work on one thing. Pair this with digital tools like Notion or Google Calendar to keep things organised.
2. The “two-minute rule”
This is one I swear by: if a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. It clears mental clutter and keeps you from postponing small tasks that build up.
You’d be surprised how many tiny things you can tackle in just a few minutes!
3. Weekly review sessions
To keep my week on track, I review everything on Friday mornings.
It takes just 30 minutes but makes a huge impact. I look over my goals, see what’s complete, what’s not, and where I can make better use of my time going forward.
For me, these sessions have been invaluable.
4. Prioritising high-impact actions
Coaching can help you identify which activities have the biggest impact.
It’s easy to get caught up in tasks that don’t move the needle, so I focused on the three business goals that would genuinely make a difference.
Now, every Friday, I assess my scores in areas like health, finance, and career, giving me a solid idea of where my focus needs to be.
5. Embrace delegation
Letting go is one of the hardest yet most productive things you can do. I’m always working on identifying tasks I can delegate or streamline, focusing my time on the high-impact activities that require my attention.
Perhaps you can consider hiring a virtual assistant (VA) or a marketing assistant to help you with some key tasks that you simply don’t need to be taking on yourself.
Recommended tools to boost productivity
Here’s a list of tools that have been game-changers for me and may be worth exploring:
- Notion: Ideal for organising tasks and time-blocking (Why I use Notion)
- Trello: Great for managing projects and to-dos in a simple visual format
- Forest App: Helps you stay focused by planting virtual trees as you work on tasks
- Focus@Will: Plays productivity-boosting music, especially if you struggle with staying focused in silence
- Toggl Track: Tracks time spent on tasks so you can see exactly where your day goes
- Google Calendar: For scheduling time blocks, meetings, and reminders
Ready to unlock your productivity potential?
Productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most.
If you’re ready to take control of your time, gain clarity on your goals, and have someone to keep you accountable, a coach can make all the difference.
Find out more about my coaching packages or reach out today, and let’s see how we can help you get clear on what truly moves the needle for you and your business.
