Many of us strive to master time management by improving the way we organize our schedules. The main concept that I believe is a cornerstone of effective time management is recognizing that we simply cannot do everything. Acknowledging this fact is key to managing our finite time more effectively. We often act as though we have infinite time, but it’s essential to prioritize the tasks that are most important and that we have control over. As Thatcher Wine argues in his book, “The Twelve Monotasks,” effective time management often involves doing less, but doing those tasks more intentionally and with greater focus.
It’s important to say “no” to tasks that don’t match our values or make our lives better, even if it seems hard.. This doesn’t mean eliminating leisure time altogether, as Carey Nieuwhof points out. In fact, taking time to relax and reflect is crucial for keeping our minds healthy and enhancing problem-solving abilities. By intentionally carving out time for ourselves to recharge and reflect, we can improve our ability to tackle important tasks with greater focus and intention. Ultimately, effective time management is about working smarter, not harder, and prioritizing the tasks that align with our values and help us achieve our goals.
Art of Manliness has some very good podcast/articles on the subject.
- Become a Focused Monotasker – the podcast is with Thatcher Wine the author of the book The Twelve Monotasks: Do One Thing at a Time to Do Everything Better. The concept of doing one thing at a time is not new. And it is become more important in the age constant distraction, urge and business. We think that being busy means been productive but it is the opposite. Multitasking is a term that is introduced with the invention of computers but even computers are not multitasking (doing thing simultaneously). Instead they are executing multiple tasks one after another.
- The Value of Deep Work in the Age of Distraction
- Becoming a Digital Minimalist
- Time Management for Mortals
- How to Get Time, Priorities, and Energy Working in Your Favor – Carey Nieuwhof
- Tactics and Mindset Shifts for Making the Most of Life – Matthew Dicks