My top 8 timesaving hacks

From stressful jobs to family commitments, social lives and household admin, we’re all juggling busy lives. So much so, it can often feel as though we need an extra day each week, just to get everything done. iNews recently published an article containing ‘30 expert hacks to save time’, featuring a range of creative life hacks to help us cut down on those endless to-do lists and save a few valuable hours. Tips from renowned experts include psychologist Dr Becky Spelman’s advice to plan errands strategically to minimise travel time; productivity expert Joshua Zerkel’s recommendation that we turn off notifications on our phone to improve focus; and quick and easy hair styling ideas from celebrity hairstylist Gustav Fouche. There are even a couple of suggestions from yours truly. 

As most of you will already know, my life is always pretty hectic. Between raising a teenage daughter and running a business (not to mention the fact that my book launch is taking place in just a few months), I often find myself juggling so many things that it’s hard to keep track of it all. Which is why I thought this was the perfect opportunity to expand on my tips from the article, and share a few more of my favourite time-saving hacks: 

1. Good enough is good enough

This one can be difficult to accept (it’s taken me years), but overplanning and spending too long perfecting something is almost always counterproductive. Sometimes - in fact often - good enough is good enough, particularly if it improves efficiency and reduces stress. You can apply this approach to anything, from housework to business: a perfect piece of work which is delivered late - or causes other tasks to be late - isn’t better than good work that meets its deadline and keeps everything running efficiently. Think of it like this: you don’t need to vacuum under the sofa every week, because you’re the only one who will know the difference.

2. Ask for help, it's a good four-letter word

Many of us struggle to ask for help because we think it makes us look weak or incapable when in reality, there’s nothing further from the truth. Professionally, it can mean the difference between spending extra time on something that’s been done badly, or getting it right first time with appropriate support. Acknowledging when we’re unsure of something, or asking for professional or emotional support isn’t a sign of weakness. It shows that we recognise our own limitations and can control expectations. 

3. Prioritise genuine self-care

Genuine self-care is much more than a massage or spa day. It’s learning to put yourself first, prioritising your own well-being and being kind to yourself. Yes, this involves the obvious things like sleeping well, exercising and eating to fuel your body. But crucially, it also means learning to say 'no' and holding your own boundaries, whether in the workplace or in personal relationships. Agreeing to extra tasks to please other people or avoid conflict can quickly lead to overwhelm, which won’t help your time management in the long-term. Prioritising self-care and looking after yourself properly will help you to stay healthy and happy, reduce sick days and improve your efficiency, whatever task you’re applying yourself to.

4. Use your best time for getting the most important stuff done

We all have limited time, but we have even less time when our focus is razor-sharp and we’re at our most productive and intentional. For me, the sweet spot is always first thing in the morning when I arrive at my desk, fresh (strong) cup of coffee in hand, ready to take on the world. Work out when you’re at your most productive, and make the best use of it. 

5. Know which balls will bounce and which balls will smash if you drop them

This is something that I’ve talked about in the past. Juggling multiple projects, people and responsibilities is something that we’re all used to and most of the time, we manage to keep (most of) the balls in the air. But it’s important to work out which balls will bounce if we drop them and which ones will smash. If you have children to collect from school, a presentation to give at 10am, an interview to attend or the car MOT is due, then it’s probably best to keep those balls in the air, because they’ll smash if you drop them. But dinner plans with friends, a hair appointment or supermarket shop are all plans that can be juggled, postponed or even cancelled - those balls will bounce. Knowing what your biggest priorities are and what needs to be done urgently will help you to manage your time and avoid burnout.

6. If in doubt, start with new stationery! 

If you know me or follow any of my other channels, you’ll already know that I’m borderline obsessed with stationery. It might sound silly, but buying myself a new notebook, a beautiful set of pens or some fancy post-it notes actually puts me in the right mindset for getting on with the job, particularly if it’s something I’ve been putting off for a while. What’s more, having the right stationery to hand not only injects a little bit of pleasure into some of the more boring admin tasks, but putting my thoughts onto paper always helps me to organise and process information more effectively, which is one of the ultimate time-saving hacks.

7. Set a timer for 15 minutes

Another of my favorite tips for getting on with those niggly little jobs (the ones that always seem to find themselves at the bottom of the pile) is to set a timer for 15 minutes, then use that time to make a start on whatever it is that you’ve been putting off. I tend to use this technique as a motivator, but it’s also really useful as a timesaver because it tends to really focus attention on one thing. I’m always utterly amazed at how productive I can be and what can actually be achieved in just fifteen minutes, when I really focus. You can read more about this in my blog on how to stop over-planning.

8. Delegate, delegate, delegate!

As an entrepreneur, I’m a firm believer in letting other people step up and do what they do best. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that attempting to take control of everything that’s going on around me is a recipe for disaster - and a one-way ticket to burnout. One of the most important time-saving hacks I’ve learned over the years (and one of the key recipes for running a successful business) is to surround myself with competent people who can share the load. As they say, “Jack of all trades, master of none”, so when in doubt, call in the experts!

Personally, I love the fact that there’s always lots going on in my life, because I thrive on being busy. But in order to keep my personal and professional life on track, I also have to know how to cut a few corners and find a bit of extra time when I need it. I hope that you find these timesaving hacks as useful as I do.