8 Habits That Save Me 10 Hours Every Week (And How You Can Do It Too!) ⏳✨

Time is one of our most valuable resources, and let’s be real—we all wish we had more of it! As someone who’s been juggling a growing business and personal life, I’ve learned that it’s not just about working harder, but working smarter. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few habits that help me save at least 10 hours every week. The best part? You can implement them too!

Here are the 8 habits that transformed my productivity and helped me reclaim my time! 💪🕒

1. Batching Tasks for Maximum Efficiency 🚀

Batching is a game-changer when it comes to saving time. Instead of constantly switching between tasks, I group similar tasks together and knock them out in one go. For example:

• Emails: I check and respond to emails twice a day—once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

• Content Creation: I dedicate one or two days a week to creating all my social media posts, blog content, or video scripts at once. This helps me stay focused and avoid task-switching, which can eat up time.

By batching tasks, you stay in the zone and complete them more efficiently, saving hours every week.

2. Automating Routine Workflows 🛠️

Anything you can automate—automate it! I’ve set up systems for recurring tasks that don’t require my hands-on attention:

• Bill Payments: Automatic transfers and payments ensure I never miss a due date, saving me from logging in and paying manually.

• Social Media Posts: I use tools like Buffer or Later to schedule posts ahead of time. This way, I don’t have to worry about posting every day!

• Recurring Emails: For recurring email tasks, templates save me time. I simply personalize them for each recipient and hit send.

Automation frees you up from mundane tasks and lets you focus on what really matters.

3. Time Blocking My Day ⏱️

Time blocking has transformed how I approach my day. I schedule specific time slots for different tasks throughout the day, ensuring I’m not overwhelmed by trying to do everything at once. Here's what a typical time-blocked day might look like:

• 9 AM - 10 AM: Email responses and admin work

• 10 AM - 12 PM: Deep work (client projects, strategy sessions)

• 12 PM - 1 PM: Lunch break 🥗

• 1 PM - 3 PM: Content creation or meetings

• 3 PM - 4 PM: Emails and wrap-up

By creating these time blocks, I ensure that my day is organized, and I stick to my schedule without wasting time wondering what to do next.

4. Setting Daily Priorities with the 3-Task Rule 📝

Every day, I focus on completing the 3 most important tasks on my to-do list. These are the tasks that will have the biggest impact on my day or week. Here’s how it works:

• Choose 3 tasks that, once completed, will make the day feel productive.

• Focus on finishing these tasks before moving on to anything else.

This rule prevents overwhelm and forces me to focus on what really matters, making my day feel successful and productive.

5. Outsourcing Low-Impact Tasks 💼

As a business owner, it’s tempting to try to do everything yourself, but that’s a surefire way to burn out. Instead, I’ve learned to delegate:

• Hire a VA: Virtual assistants can handle things like inbox management, scheduling, and even research, saving you hours each week.

• Fiverr/Upwork: These platforms are great for outsourcing graphic design, writing, or technical tasks that might not be your strength.

Delegating these tasks frees up time for more strategic work and creative projects.

6. Using the Pomodoro Technique for Focus 🍅

Staying focused during work hours is key to saving time. One technique I swear by is the Pomodoro Technique:

• Work for 25 minutes straight on one task.

• Take a 5-minute break after each Pomodoro session.

• After 4 Pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minute break.

This technique keeps me energized and prevents burnout. It also helps me stay focused for short bursts, ensuring that I get more done in less time.

7. Meal Prepping for the Week 🍽️

One thing that can steal a lot of time during the week is cooking multiple meals from scratch every day. To combat this, I dedicate a couple of hours on Sundays to meal prepping:

• I cook and portion out meals for the week (usually lunch and dinner).

• I also prepare snacks in advance, so I’m not constantly reaching for unhealthy options out of convenience.

By having my meals ready to go, I avoid the time-suck of daily meal decisions and cooking. Plus, it helps me eat healthier! 🥦

8. Saying No to Unnecessary Commitments 🚫

One of the most valuable time-saving habits is learning when to say no. Not every meeting, event, or request is worth your time. I’ve learned to protect my schedule by:

• Declining non-essential meetings and opting for a quick email update instead.

• Saying no to social events or obligations that don’t align with my personal or professional goals.

By being selective with what I commit to, I save countless hours and focus on the tasks and activities that actually move the needle in my life and business.

Final Thoughts: Take Back Your Time ⏳

Saving time isn’t about cramming more into your schedule—it’s about working smarter, not harder. These 8 habits have helped me save 10+ hours a week, giving me more time to focus on what I love, from growing my business to enjoying my personal life.

Start by implementing one or two of these habits into your daily routine and watch your productivity soar. The key is consistency and knowing where you can streamline your efforts.

Pin this blog post to keep these time-saving habits handy, and share it with anyone who could use a little extra time in their week! 🌟

x

Ellison