Time is one thing we can’t get back. Once a minute has passed, it’s gone forever. Spending our minutes wisely will not only result in being more productive, it’ll also give us more freedom to focus on the broader spectrum of activities that bring us happiness and fulfillment. Here are 15 time-saving hacks for the year ahead (in no particular order):
- Upgrade your mobile device to the latest and greatest version. You carry it everywhere with you. You sleep with it. Invest in the latest device.
- Use apps instead of websites. Apps are usually faster, provide a better user experience and are always available via that handy new smartphone you upgraded to.
- Stop multitasking. Do and complete one thing at a time.
- Use time blocking in your calendar. Block time not only for appointments and meetings, but prospecting and other business-critical activities. And don’t forget time for yourself. Exercise and emotional well-being need time as well.
- Send shorter emails. If emails had character limits, we would all save enormous amounts of time.
- Text more. It’s faster than email, and usually results in a faster reply.
- Avoid voicemail tag by answering your phone. I know you can’t answer it every time it rings, but commit to answering it as often as possible.
- Call people. It often takes less time than emailing them and then waiting for their reply.
- Do the most important thing on your to-do list first every day. This time hack is an enormous energy saver. Once you’ve done the most important thing, the rest of your day will flow much more smoothly.
- Have a to-do list and actually commit to doing the items on the list.
- Check in on your social media accounts while you’re standing in line to pay for the groceries, get coffee, or buy lunch. Just a quick check-in a few times a day is all you need.
- If you have to hold or attend meetings, limit them to 30 minutes. Most meetings don’t require the default 60 minutes typically allotted.
- Set up filters on your email inbox. Use a filter to reduce the noise by sending newsletters, promotions and other noncritical emails that you can deal with later to a separate folder.
- Wait in line less by doing more of your shopping online.
- Learn more keyboard shortcuts.
Today we have to be equipped to work anywhere and everywhere. These time-saving hacks will help you stay focused on your overall goals.
Commit to making every minute count. Do you have any time-saving hacks?
Wendy Forsythe is the executive vice president and head of global operations at Carrington Real Estate Services.
For more information, visit www.carringtonrealestate.com/join.
