Proven Strategies to Reclaim Time and Boost Your Income

People often tell me that I seem to get so much done. Just today, someone asked me, “How do you manage to be everywhere at once? How do you find time for everything, including holidays and family time?” The truth is, I don’t have more time than anyone else. When I first started in business seven years ago, I had even less time. I had toddler twins, a nine-to-five job, and two businesses to run—my wedding business and this one. So, I understand what it’s like to have very little time. I’ve learned to reclaim time and make the most of it.

By being efficient and knowing how to use your time wisely, you can increase your earnings—an essential goal in running a business. It’s crucial not to confuse being busy with being productive, as they are fundamentally different. I excel at productivity, so I want to share my strategies for reclaiming time effectively.

In many of my courses, I focus a lot on time management. I want to make sure people use their time wisely while implementing the strategies I teach. Some people have told me that after taking my time management module, they’ve gained back two days a week. I hope to help you reclaim some time too.

Firstly, let’s dispel a myth: the saying “We all have the same 24 hours in a day as Beyoncé” is not true and only makes us feel bad. Beyoncé has resources that most of us don’t, like nannies, a pre-built audience, and a team to handle various tasks. For instance, she doesn’t have to worry about cooking dinner or managing her twins in the same way I did when I started.

Comparing ourselves to others, especially celebrities, is one of the worst things we can do. When someone says they don’t have enough time, they often hear that quote about Beyoncé and feel even worse. But it’s unrealistic to compare ourselves to someone with vastly different resources and support.

I also have help. My husband handles all the kids’ activities, appointments, and daily routines. So, when people say I manage to do everything, they don’t see the support system behind me. In my business, I have a team that assists with various tasks, including launch preparations.

In the first year, I did everything myself, but it has become easier with help. Remember, when you compare your time management to others, you’re likely not seeing the full picture. It’s crucial to recognise that everyone’s situation is different, and having support makes a big difference.

To reclaim your time, I recommend two strategies: time blocking and batching. Time blocking involves scheduling specific times for different tasks, while batching means grouping similar tasks together and doing them in one go.

Batching

Although we often avoid batching because we crave variety, it’s a powerful way to be more efficient. For example, you could batch tasks like creating YouTube videos, writing social media post, podcast recordings etc 

When we handle our tasks sporadically, like meeting with a client, writing a blog post, attending a networking event, and recording a podcast all in one day, it requires constantly shifting our focus. This approach isn’t efficient. Instead, we can batch similar tasks together. For example, I used to record three months’ worth of YouTube videos in one day. I’d get my hair and makeup done, get into the right mindset, and record as many episodes as possible. This way, the content was ready, and I didn’t have to revisit it for a while. 

The same goes for writing emails and creating other content. Sometimes, I’ll write several emails for the upcoming month in one day because I’m already in a writing mode. Batching tasks like this keeps the creative juices flowing and helps maintain consistency.

Batching allows you to plan and create purposeful content that supports your business objectives. If you’re not already batching tasks, give it a try. Start with something simple like social media posts or podcast episodes and see how much time it saves you. 

Multitasking, often touted as a valuable skill, doesn’t actually work the way we think. MRI scans have shown that our brains can’t genuinely handle two tasks simultaneously. Instead, we rapidly switch between tasks, which can diminish the quality of our work. Focusing on one task at a time is much more effective. 

Time blocking

Another game-changer for me was time blocking. Instead of a traditional to-do list, which can be overwhelming and often leaves the most challenging tasks undone, time blocking helps prioritise and allocate time for specific activities.

To get started, create a weekly schedule using an Excel spreadsheet. Divide each day into blocks of time. For example, on Monday, you might have a block from 6-7 AM for personal activities like your morning routine, breakfast, or a podcast. Then, from 9-11 AM, you might have a focused work block. Continue this pattern throughout the day, including breaks and lunch.

Next, take your weekly to-do list and assign tasks to these blocks. For instance, if you need to write a proposal for a client, schedule it into a two-hour block on day one. Dedicate specific times for non-work activities as well, such as spending time with your kids or going to the gym.

Time blocking helps ensure that the most important tasks get done. It prevents the tendency to only complete quick, easy tasks for the sake of crossing them off a list. By prioritising and scheduling tasks, you can focus on what truly matters and avoid procrastination. This method also provides a clear structure, making it easier to balance work and personal life effectively.

When using time blocking, you might find that you don’t always finish tasks within the allotted time. This is normal, as estimating how long tasks will take can be challenging. To manage this, it’s important to build some buffer time into your schedule. Leave a few half-hour or hour-long blocks throughout the week with no specific plans. If a task isn’t completed, move it to one of these spare blocks instead of forcing yourself to finish it immediately. This helps you avoid getting stuck on one task at the expense of others and ensures you’re still progressing on all fronts.

Another benefit of having spare blocks is that they allow you to handle unexpected tasks or emergencies. For instance, if you receive an urgent client request or an unexpected phone call, you can use these reserved time slots to address them without disrupting your entire schedule.

Additionally, time blocking prevents you from wasting time on activities that don’t contribute to your goals. For instance, if you allocate specific times for social media or email, you avoid spending excessive time on these activities. This structure helps you stay focused on more important tasks and reduces the temptation to engage in unproductive activities.

The key takeaway is that, unless your job requires constant availability, like a medical professional, there’s no need to be available 24/7. If you lose a client because you didn’t respond to an email within a few hours, it might be a sign that they’re not the right fit for you. Prioritising your time effectively and focusing on essential tasks will help you manage your workload better and achieve your goals more efficiently.

To prevent distractions while working, put your phone on airplane mode. Constant notifications can interrupt your focus, which can double the time it takes to complete a task. On average, it takes about 20 minutes to refocus after an interruption. 

I apply time blocking not just to my business but also to my personal life. This approach helps me feel more in control and allows me to schedule days off effectively. If you find that you occasionally slip up and don’t stick to your time blocks, don’t get discouraged. Time blocking, like any new habit, takes practice. Even if you miss a day or two, get back on track.

I’d love to know what tips you have to reclaim time! Pop them in the comments on the blog!