Since this is a post all about time-management, it seems like it would be sort of counterproductive to kick it off with my usual post-opening ramble. So, I’m simply not going to. No frills, no nothing. Instead, we’re just going to jump in headfirst.
Things you simply DON’T have time for.
Because let’s face it: We all have those things that continue to take up our time even though we know they shouldn’t.
Today I compiled a list of things I do (or have done in the past) that are nothing but total time-wasters. I thought it would be fun to look at this and see how I could do a better job of managing my time now and in the future. This is one of those blog posts that I think I’m going to look back on when I need a reminder of where my priorities are at. Hopefully it can be useful to you as well!
Incessant email checking
Is anyone as guilty of this as me? I honestly couldn’t even estimate the number of times I log into my email on a daily basis, looking out for new messages. It’s absurd, to be quite honest. And I’ve basically made it my life’s mission to STOP doing it.
Instead refreshing your email every 30 minutes like yours truly, devote specific points during the day to reading and replying to emails. This will help you resist the urge to check your email, as well as keep you from getting distracted by it during other tasks.
Overthinking
Do you ever do that thing where you spend so much time worrying about something instead of just going ahead and doing it? This is me. All the time.
I get so caught up in what I need to do and how I’m going to do it that I spend more thinking than doing. It’s a huge waste of time.
Negative thinking
This is kind of on the same page as overthinking, but I think it’s different enough to deserve its own section. Negative thinking can be a major problem, as it takes a toll on both your confidence and productivity. I’ve definitely noticed in my daily life that I get a lot less accomplished when I have a negative mindset than when I have a positive mindset. By banishing negative thoughts, you make it easier on yourself to achieve what you want to achieve.
Multitasking
I’ve got a love-hate relationship with multitasking. I think it’s great when you’re doing simple, thoughtless tasks like putting away laundry or having a meal; however, when you apply it to bigger projects, it becomes more of a nuisance than anything else.
Lately I’ve been making a conscious effort to cut down on the amount of multitasking I do, which usually comes in the form of working on my laptop. In the past, I’ve found myself constantly flipping back and forth between browser windows and word documents, trying to complete as many tasks as possible. But what I’ve learned is that you can’t expect yourself to deliver on something if you don’t bother to give it your concentrated effort. In success, focus is key.
Being busy, not productive
I’ve talked about this before on the blog (in fact, I wrote an entire post about it a couple weeks ago), but I still think it deserves to be on this list.
Something I’ve certainly been guilty of in the past is being busy rather than productive. What I mean by that is I’ve been so concentrated on keeping my schedule as packed as possible that I’ve forgotten that busyness doesn’t accomplish anything if you’re not actually being productive.
It’s important to stay focused on completing goals, but it’s also important to give yourself breaks from them. If you spend all your time trying to be busy, you’re just going to end up feeling mentally and physically exhausted. Get things done when you need to get them done. Don’t worry about having something to do at every given moment of the day.
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got for today. I think I’m going to log offline for a bit and decompress.
Thank you for reading!
What are some things you no longer have time for?
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I couldn’t agree with these more! Especially overthinking & multitasking! —https://emilyryannblogblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/04/best-breakup-playlist-ever/
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I know right! It’s so hard not to do those things!
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great tip on the email thing! overthinking is suchhhh a waste of time, that’s one I definitely have to work on! great post 🙌🏻
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I know right! It is really is a time waster! And thank you 🙂
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Fabulous post! Lately I don’t have time for negative people. I am practicing self care by staying away. xx
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Thank you! And that’s wonderful! 🙂
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Okay so I am not saying this just for the sake of it but your blogs are so well written and it’s so easy to understand them. These past days I was doing so much of overthinking and negative thoughts were constantly coming to me. This post makes me know that people face these emotions too and it okay to do so ❤ . You always thank the readers after ever post. This time I want to thank you for writing all these wonderful posts ❤❤
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Thank you so much! This made my day! And I can definitely relate to the overthinking and negative thoughts. I think knowing that so many people go through them really does help! 🙂
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Overthinking and negative thinking are my Achilles Heels as well. 😦 Loved your tips.
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Mine too! And thank you!
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I am so guilty of a lot of these! Especially constantly checking my emails!
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I know right! I can’t even tell you how many times I check my email on a daily basis lol
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Love this post, I definitely need to stop doing these things I’m so guilty of them and don’t have the time anymore! I’m the worst for constantly checking my emails! X
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I loved this post! These are all things I’m guilty of, especially negative thinking! I can be such a procrastinator sometimes and it really doesn’t help in getting things done! I always feel so much better in myself when I have a productive day though so I need to try and do it more often!
Jess xx
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this is such a good post!! I do these all the time, and I think to myself I need to stop, but then I continue! thank you for writing this post
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Thank you! 🙂
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This is so relatable! I always overthink things!! I hate myself for it as I totally work myself up over something that hasn’t even happened! Xx
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I do the same thing! It can be so frustrating!
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Great post! I need to make a list like this! I’m super guilty of wasting time on candy crush!! I can literally sit there for half hour at a time playing it! I need to delete it from my phone!!
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I find myself being victim to these sometimes! Since starting a bullet Journal this year, I have found that I can achieve some goals better as I have an incentive to complete my journal. My main goal is to read more and that means, not being on my phone at night! I’m doing alright, I’ve read one book a month so far!
Ellyn x | Life Of A Beauty Nerd
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Love this post! I overthink and it is something I have been working on. I have nominated you for The Mystery Blogger Award! x
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