One of the things that I realize is that sometimes we waste a lot of time on things that distract our attention from us working on our goals and dreams. Let me ask you a question. When working on a project, do you constantly have things getting in your way of what you REALLY need to get done? What are those pesky distractions that always get in your way? Also, do you feel that you are wasting time in your life on things that are not positively contributing to your life? Are you ready to change the way you do things and get a lot more done in your day? If the answer is yes, check out my 12 tips to stop wasting time in your life.
12 Smart Ways To Stop Wasting Time In Your Life
- Stop Hitting the Snooze Button – Unless you need extra sleep, don’t procrastinate getting up! I get a lot done first thing in the morning after I have my first cup of coffee.
- Get A Plan In Place First Thing in the Day – Don’t just go through your day, seize the day by having an awesome plan in place to keep yourself laser-focused.
- Stop Checking Facebook and Email – Imagine the number of minutes or possibly hours we could save if we didn’t constantly check social media. Handle social media in time blocks; at certain times in the day and you’ll be efficiently utilizing your time in the day.
- Eliminate Activities That Drain You – Stop wasting time on people and activities that drain all the positive energy out of you. Focus in on those things that contribute positively to your life.
- Stop Worrying About Things You Can’t Control – Focus in on only things that you can do in life. Put your efforts into positive actions moving ahead.
- Eliminate Your Focus on Negativity – What you put your focus to is where you put action to and if you are putting your time into worrying and on negative things, I guarantee you will not get anywhere.
- Stop Hanging Around Toxic People – As I always say, you are too blessed to be stressed and hanging around negative people is going to stop you from really living up to your full potential. Do what you can to eliminate or limit your time around these energy drainers.
- Start Taking Action on Things Instead of Hoping for Things – Imagine all the time in our lives that we have wasted by over-thinking things. It’s time to stop hesitating and take action on the things we want do!
- Release the Control -Delegate – We are not using the best use of our time when we hold so tightly onto things that really should be done by someone else, so that we can focus our energy on what we really should be doing. Make the commitment to clear out time for the things you really should be doing.
- Start Putting Yourself First (Not Last) By Making Yourself Important – When are you going to realize that your self-care and happiness is of the utmost importance? Stop wasting time! You only have one life and it’s time for you to take great care of yourself.
- Stop Focusing On What Others Are Doing – Are you constantly comparing yourself to someone else? Stop wasting your energy competing with other people’s lives. No one is perfect. The only person you should be competing with is yourself.
- Learn to Stop Looking Back To the Past – Your focus should always be on the present and moving forward. You are not your past. So do yourself a favor… stop looking back!
Are there things that you need to change to stop wasting time? Have you done any of the above 12 ways that I have mentioned above? I would love to hear what resonated with you or what has worked for you!
Timely advice – and I don’t mean that in the way it sounds. This list is excellent. It touches on so many possible descriptions of what could be impeding progress. There are a number of things we can try, based on your list to stop wasting time.
Spending time instead of investing time is the key to your post. My distractions come in assorted varieties and whether they can all be classified as pesky or important is where it gets difficult. It took me a lot of years to realize that relationships are not disposable if they are with people I love or respect or want to emulate. There are some though, as you point out that need to be disposed of from the aspect of not hanging out with people who are not positive and not good for you. Good relationships – investing in them whether family or community is a priority for me and I want to treat them that way.
I need to work hard on #3-Stop Checking Facebook and Email. You know how it is. What you can see, draws your attention. I have to completely close out of those things and silence my notifications or they are a perpetual temptation to browse. And #8 is a definite deterrent to progress. I have been told my whole working life that I over-think things. Probably true, but if I don’t over think I get it wrong every time. Instead of over-thinking, I honestly think I see the goal, but have no idea how to take steps toward it.
Thank you so much Jane for your comments on my blog. It’s an honor be connected with you. You are a true leader and so many wonderful things are going to be happening for you moving ahead. Keep moving forward and keep surrounding yourself with really awesome people. You will get to be where you want to be! I will be supporting you all the way!
You’re the BEST, Cynthia!
Hi Cindy! Very well thought out blog. All are good points. #5 & #11 resonate with me. I think it’s very important not to worry about things you can’t control. It’s foolish really. Honestly comparing myself to others can be a struggle sometimes. But I know where I am in my professional life for a reason and know I am blessed to be where I am. I appreciate your encouragement and friendship.
Thank you Geoff for your comments to my blog. You are absolutely awesome and just know I appreciate everything about you. You are a true leader and friend.
Awesome blog Cyn!!! Thank you for the great reminders about the things we do that waste our time. You are always energizing & encouraging and I appreciate you very much!! Keep inspiring!!! :))
Thank you so much Carla for your amazing shout out and comments. I am SO glad you really love my blog. I really appreciate you as well. You are awesome my friend!!
Great advice, Cynthia. I am printing your list and posting it where I can see it throughout the day to remind me to stop wasting time!!!! I especially need to limit the amount of time I waste on social media and make sure the time I do spend is productive. Thanks for the reminder.
That is awesome that you have printed it out! I am so glad you really liked this list. Thank you for the shout out Liz… YOU are the best!
Another great post Cynthia! #s 2, 4 and 7 all hit home with me. I always make a plan early in the day to keep me focused and on the right track. I am flexible with the plan, as things do pop up throughout the day. There are so many activities and tasks that can truly drain us. I used to get caught up in activities that were taking my focus off of the important tasks on my list. I now feel as if I have an understanding of how these tasks can drain us and shift our focus away from what truly needs to be done. The toxic people…….eliminating and avoiding these people has been one of the best things I have every done in my life. I choose positivity. I work much better when my mind is surrounded my positive thoughts and positive people!
Have a blessed day my friend!
Excellent comments Adam. I appreciate you so much. That is awesome that you set-up a plan for the day but know that things are going to come up. We must be flexible to things that pop up during the day… And hooray for staying away from those negative toxic people… That is the absolute best thing people can do!
Great post, Cynthia! I’m following Liz’s example and posting this list where I can see it daily. I’m terribly guilty of procrastinating on social media, but I’m getting better about interacting in set blocks of time (and getting up when my timer goes off). And I’m pleased to say I’ve been making progress on #6, #9, and #11. Have a wonderful day!
Thank you Regan for your great comments. That is awesome that you are doing time blocks. I find that to be very effective for myself as well. I love that you are setting a timer as well. Keep being awesome!
Hello Cynthia,
Your “12 Smart Ways To Stop Wasting Time In Your Life” is a great read. I particularly liked #4 eliminating those activities that drain you. The reason being is that any of the other 11 items you suggest could be actually become “drainers” for people if not managed properly, and could virtually paralyze them from achieving a life of freedom from wasting time.
Thank you once again for coming up with such wisdom and guidance!
Dale
Thank you so much Dale for your comments. GREAT wisdom you provide. I really appreciate your ongoing support. You are awesome!
I need to print this checklist
“Stop Being Around Toxic People” – AMEN!
LOVE YA
Kitto
LOVE that you are going to print this out Krithika! YES. Stay away from those toxic people!
Hi Cynthia! I always enjoy reading your posts. They’re.inspiring, informative and thought-provoking and this one’s certainly no exception! No’s 4, 5 and 9 particularly resonate with me and like others in the comments above, I’m going to print off this list as a timely reminder of those pervasive ‘time wasters’ that can all so easily creep into our daily routine! Thanks for the inspiration!! 🙂
Thanks so much Sean for your comments.. I really appreciate them and that is awesome that you are going to print this out. This will definitely be a great reminder of where to put your focus. Thanks so much for your always fantastic support.
Always a pleasure to read your blog Cynthia,
This is like a must have, must do, must be, list. We need to focus in life on the real stuff and not the other added things that come along to divert us from our true course.
When we focus on ourselves, and we are at one with our position then we can help, serve and assist others in a more fundamental way.
Leadership itself is about serving. Unless we focus on what serves us, we cannot serve others.
5 resonates with me. I get so many people telling me that they worry about things when in fact, it is a very debilitating and energy sapping exercise. Worry has never changed a damn thing in our lives and yet…we still fall victim to it now and then.
Great post my dear friend
Dave
Love your comments Dave. YES… I agree that worrying does absolutely nothing but sap the positive energy out of you… Great wisdom as always. Thank you my friend!
I can confidently say I know all 12 of these time wasters already BUT I am loathe to admit I still let several keep me from getting all I want to do, done! I hadn’t considered how MUCH time until after reading this. Worrying about others is one that I really need to get over because it is a time waster. Caring for others is worth my time, worrying about what others are doing or saying or how they are hurting themselves, etc is a total waste of my life. Putting myself first helps negate some of that and I have really been focusing on that this year. Excellent blog as usual Cynthia – I feel empowered to make some changes to eliminate these distracting factors!